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Are Labrador Retrievers Good Pets?

Rick — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:28:10 +0000

Throughout the whole of the UK and the USA there is one dog amongst all the other dog breeds that stands head and shoulders above the others for popularity, the Labrador Retriever.

If you are fortunate enough to spend some time in the company of a Labrador Retriever you will soon discover why these lovable dogs are proving to be so popular. These dogs are friendly, playful, intelligent and loyal. Labrador Retrievers absolutely adore children and this is why families rate them as one of the best dog breeds around.

The Labrador Retriever is a fun loving breed, they enjoy the water either swimming in it or generally simply splashing around having a good time. Another reason that the Labrador Retriever is such an ideal choice for families is the fact that they are a dog that can just go on for hours, much like children! They love to play fetch and swim. They will keep your children entertained all day long as well as wear them out. Labradors have unparalleled energy. Some have even run until they have given themselves a heart attack. They simply don’t know when they have given their all.

There are numerous dog breeds that make brilliant family dogs but none that are quite as good at filling the vacancy than the Labrador Retriever. These particular dogs do not simply just fill the gap in a family they become companions and friends. Any information on Labrador Retrievers will tell potential owners how mellow these dogs truly are, if you are considering a watchdog then a Labrador Retriever is probably not a good first choice. Intruders would just be covered in licks! They do possess quite a deep bark though and stand fairly tall and if the intruder pays no attention to their exceedingly waggy tail then they could feasibly be worried by a Labrador Retriever.

As far as dogs go the Labrador Retriever is an easy dog to train due to its intelligence. They are a breed of dog that simply loves to please its owner and make them happy and pleased with them. When compared with other dog breeds Labrador Retrievers do not shed as much fur as others, this is always a bonus.

If you read any dog information it will normally tell you of the biggest flaw the Labrador Retriever possesses, its appetite. These dogs are like dustbins on legs! They have a big appetite and are prone to gaining weight quickly. The trick is to monitor their food intake and also ensure they receive enough exercise. This is a clever dog though and will attempt bribery with its gorgeous big, brown eyes.

Labrador Retrievers are prone to several disorders that are associated with too much weight, as are most dog breeds. It is therefore imperative to watch their diet especially the amount of treats consumed. They are also prone to hip dysplasia, a disease that causes the joints to deteriorate. It is very painful for them and often fatal. It is important to have your dog screened for dysplasia before you take them home from the breeder.

The Labrador Retriever is a perfect addition as a family dog due to its incredible nature and temperament.

Australian Shepherd: As Good As Its German Variety

Rick — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:58:06 +0000

Australian Shepherd is every bit as graceful as its more famous German variety. And like German Shepherd, these too, are bred as herd dogs, trained and nourished to take care of cattle. Also referred to as “Aussie”, they first appeared in Australia in the early 1800s and come in colors ranging from near black to blue merle. The original purpose of this breed was to serve as guardians for sheep and cattle herds, but it did not take very long for them to build a reputation for sharp intelligence and unfailing loyalty.
They also come in a number of sizes from sleek and gangling to short and stout. They weight from 35 to 65, and some of them have now the famous one-blue-one-brown-eye combination. Quite a prankster, the Aussies’ capacity for ‘humor’ is matchless among dogs.
However, the Aussie is not for everyone. Having been bred as a herd dog it does not take well to the apartment living of the modern day. It needs space to move and play around. They have no patience to sit and watch television alongside other family members. Their idea of socialization is going out in open, jog around a little and play around a lot. So, if you are one of those television-after-office kind, the Aussie is certainly not for you. It is energetic to the extremes and would try its best to pull you in an active game. Do not expect it to lie at your feet while you type away on your computer or do easy chit chat on phone. You may live in a apartment and it will be happy so long as evenings are his and he gets to play “canine frisbee” or catch-me-if-you-can every evening without fail.
Once you are home from office, it would either want you to indulge with him in a wrestling match or take him out. If you don’t do either, he would find something to do all by himself, which may not be a good news, for they have the reputation for chewing and eating anything that allows their teeth to sink in.
It is highly intelligent and has this deep rooted tendency to closely ‘investigate’ everything. If you are cooking, it may come in to smell and check if the pots smell good and if you are in the shower it may jump in to join you. Besides, they are not really very welcoming hosts. Their sense of humor goes to dogs (other dogs, that is) when it comes to entertaining an unknown guest. They would stare and growl if a guest drops in unannounced. So, if you are getting an Aussie, tell your friends not to ring the bell every time they happen to pass by, for the Aussie is not going to like it. They are kind to children and are staunch protectors of the family.

Are Labradors Good At Retrieving?

Rick — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:26:55 +0000

Every once and awhile I will hear someone ask can a Lab really retrieve and how do they match up against other retriever type dogs? Can a Lab really retrieve or did they acquire that name from a time that has long passed us by. Here is my response to that question.
I grew up on Lake Austin and living on a lake brings a lot of perks. You can go skiing whenever you want, ride jet skis, fish, and just swim at any time during the day. However, there was another perk to growing up on Lake Austin, and that perk was Morgan. Morgan was a Labrador that belonged to a friend of mine. What’s weird is that I remember the dogs name more than my friend’s name.
What made Morgan so cool was that she lived up to everything we would think a lab to be. The UK Kennel Club Standard said this about Labs. “They are Good-tempered, very agile, excellent nose, soft mouth, keen love of water, adaptable, devoted companion. Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. They are also kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.”
I would say this described Morgan to a tea. She was all these things and more. However, the one thing that made Morgan stand out was her ability to retrieve. I am not talking your everyday run of the mill toss and catch. I am talking about she took fetching to a whole new realm.
One thing Morgan loved to do was fetch rocks, YES rocks. I am not talking about throwing a rock on a solid piece of ground, but throwing a rock in the water. I’m also not talking a small pebble but a pretty good size rock. We would take a rock that she liked and literally throw it in the water. I am not talking kiddy pool; I am talking a Lake with some depth to it.
Every time that rock made ripples on the lake she would move into action. Without hesitation she would launch herself off the dock and land in the water. She would then position herself over the spot we threw the rock and then dive. Yes dive! She would take every bit of herself and dive straight down, and believe it or not, all you would see were bubbles coming up. If you ever been on a boat while someone was diving with an air tank, that is what it was like.
Now I can’t recall one time that Morgan did not dive down and bring that rock back. She would go and get the rock and bring it back and wait for us to throw it again. What was weird being a kid on the lake was that I just thought it was a natural thing to have a dog diving for rocks. I just assumed all dogs dove and fetched rocks underwater. I mean who doesn’t have a dog that dives and fetches rocks under water?
Of course I know now that not all dogs do this. However it taught me one thing about Labs. They do live up to their name. They are retrievers! But even though we all live in the suburbs now and take our dogs to parks or beaches to get their exercise, labs do have a history of swimming and retrieving. BBC wrote an article about labs and this is what they said. Centuries ago Labs were trained to drag fishing nets from the boat to the shore; they said that the love of swimming was a characteristic of the breed. We also know that their double-layered coat keeps them warm in water, comprising a soft downy undercoat and a harder, water repellent topcoat, which helps them shake dry when they climb back onto land.
I also read that they instinctively enjoy holding objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness. It is stated that a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it. Labradors will retrieve pretty much anything from land or water. All this combined with a good sense of smell has made them a popular choice of gundog, pursuing and retrieving wounded game over practically any terrain.
Not only in my own experience but by the things we read about these dogs, I would say that it is true that even in today’s modern time, Labs make great retrievers. Whether you are looking for a great family pet to retrieve rocks out of the water, or to fetch more important things, like your slippers, the Labrador Retriever is the dog for you.

Guard Dogs:Can A German Shepherd Be A Good Guard Dog And Also Be Good With Small Children?

Rick — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:24:16 +0000

Guard dogs: Can a German Shepherd be a good guard dog and also be good with

What Is A Good Website Were They Show You How To Train A Labrador Retriever?

Rick — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:58:51 +0000

Dog Behavior Training – Choosing a Good Family Dog

Rick — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:56:27 +0000

There comes a time in most home families when the children get a bit older and their dog or teddy is no longer the best thing in the world to play with, every new friend or existing friend your children make seems to have a cute little dog, and its only a matter of time before your children are going to start pestering you for one. So what should you look for is your serious about getting a family dog?

For starters your dog will need to be able to take everything your children can throw at it, children often don’t have any idea of how to handle a new pet dog so don’t expect them to play gently all the time, unknowing children have a tendency to be a little rough wile playing with dogs so a dog breed that can take some rough playing is essential.

Different dogs have different personalities just like humans do so be aware of this when purchasing a new dog, just because a dog breed is normally playful, energetic, and nice , this does not mean the one you get will be the same. Being prepared to put in work and time with your dog is also essential with a family dog because dog’s often take the things your children tell it to do as acceptable when this may not be the case, so dog behavior training will be needed at some point.

After considering the previous paragraphs I’m sure you will be pretty certain on whether you still want a dog for your home or not, if you do then here are some suggestions on different breeds that you may want to consider.

Golden Retriever. The golden retriever is a good popular choice for families because of their active and loyal personality and a good all round dog.

Boxer. Although the boxer may look big and intimidating to some, the boxer is a very good family dog in that they love being around people, they take care of the family members, and are always willing to play.

Labrador Retreiver. An extremely popular pet in many households across the world, the Labrador is a very friendly loving dog that loves to play and be very active for your kids to play with.

Beagle. The beagle is a very sturdy dog that can take plenty of roughness and playing, and loves to be active and meet new people. A very excited and curious dog that is great for family life.

Boston Terrier. The terrier is a gentle, well mannered dog and enjoys a challenge. Boston terriers are very easy to train and make for great family dogs and friends.

Irish Setter. A very affectionate dog, the Irish setter is a very good choice for families due to its liking for children and constant happy playful attitude.