If you are new dog owner, especially a Labrador owner, you will be will quite anxious to know how to take care of your little bundle of joy and also its life expectancy. So here is some information caring for a Labrador Retriever.
The life span of a healthy Labrador is anything between 10 to 13 years. Some Labradors also live up to the age of 14. You may have noticed that I used to word healthy Labradors. This is because Labradors can be prone to diseases. Some of them inherit the diseased genes from their parents, so there is nothing much you can do about it except take good care of them. These dogs usually don’t live quite long. But some Labradors are quite healthy and there are certain things that you can do take care of their general well being
Labradors are gluttons and will gobble just anything and everything. They have strong teeth, so there is always a strong possibility of them eating their chew toys, which could prove fatal for them. Labradors are also susceptible to urinary tract infections and certain digestive problems. To prevent them from eating rubbish, feed them at least twice a day. Include milk in their diet as they require lots of calcium. Feed them meat regularly and sometimes add in a few vegetables. Give them a spoonful of cod liver oil every week as it will keep their coats glossy. If you want to feed your Labradors a good diet, raw pet food available in stores. Always buy good quality food.
Labradors need lots of exercise to keep fit. Take them for long walks in the parks, but don’t overdo it. Take them to the vet at least twice a year for a complete checkup. A simple routine of brushing its hair, at least thrice a week should keep its coat clean. You can slightly dampen the brush so that their hair does not fly all over the place. Giving it a bath once a week will suffice. Invest in a good quality shampoo for your dog, to keep its coat looking at its lustrous best. When you puppy is 1 month old, start brushing its teeth, to keep them clean. Lastly, love and play with them and allow them to socialize with other people as well as other dogs.
Labs are the best dogs….they love to eat!!! Our Labrador Retriever s eat a lot but they get a lot of exercise!
This website gave me a lot of info on labs and i think it answered all of my questions!!!
this site has given me lot of knwledge
hw 2 feed thm,it waz a major prblm wid me bt they hav made it mch easier for me nw i thnk i cum keep ma dog health n strong, labs r best n lovable
Just a little comment about giving the dog a bath once a week; for a lab that spends a lot of time in the water or outdoors like a hunting dog this is way too much. If you bathe a lab too much you’ll eliminate too much of the natural oils that gives the outer coat it’s desired harshness and waterproof qualities. You should usually only bathe a lab when its absolutely necessary (i.e., when they get muddy, dirty, sprayed by skunk, etc.), but in the end, it’s really up to you and what you want to do. Over bathing will definately not affect your dogs health, which is the subject of this article.
I have a black lab (flat coat/chocolate mix). He is just about 100 pounds and turned 13 july 19 2009. He has good days and bad days but since the cool weather is here finally, they are mostly good.
growing up i had a black lab she was born 1994 and my parents just had to put her down a month ago hard time on the family but it was the best for her so now that i have a wife and kids we got our new dog a choclate lab (buddy) he can’t replace (Shadow) but hopefull my kids will have him till they are in high school and they will have a life long frendship
i have a black lab i hade a golen retriver but he died he was fat and old we where all very sad.
I have a black lab that is 16 years old. he has larnyx paralysis, a few tumors, and seems to have dimensia but he seems to be happy and in no pain so we havent put him down. We just dont have the heart to put him down…he’s a sweetie…
I had a black labrador whom I had to have put to sleep early November 2009. She was only a few months shy of her 17th birthday. She bred tow litters of pups, was always fed well and kept fit following me out on my horse rides. She went for her morning walk that morning and still bounced along like a puppy but then in the afternoon her legs suddenly gave way most likely due to the lump that was coming up in her stomach, but our trusted vet wisely determmined it would not be fair to operate on her at that age. So with the right care they can live to a grand age. She will always be missed and forever in our hearts.
i would like to say its nice to hear from other people with ladradors and would like to tell you all im pleased to say my old girl is 16yrs old and still in good health they can live well over 13yrs with love and care
My dog Brandy was a chocolate lab. She died today Feb 15 2010. She lived 15 years. Rest in peace Brandy. You were the best dog an owner could have. I hope you were a happy dog being able to roam free outside and do what you wanted to do all day. I will really miss you and you were a big part of my life. I will keep you in my heart forever.
Love,
Ryan
Ryan, So sorry for your loss…I am so glad that you were lucky enough to have her for 15 years!
ive got black lab hes 12 years old hes a rescue dog i never new how loyal dogs they are hes grand from paul scottish borders
we have a black labrador and he is will be 13 in october… but he still acts like a puppy, he loves his walks in the park and swimming in the river.. he loves playing with our two staffies that we have as well but there only puppies so they always ou run him… bless him he still trys, good all labradors..xxx
I just got my 1st dog yesterday. Male yellow lab. My son is 3 and i hope they will protect each other. Im nervous about doing whats right. I feed him purina puppy chow and take him around the block. I dont want him doin his business in the house so i feed him and play w him for an hour outside. I want to keep him in the garage but he cried all night last night. He is 9 weeks. How long will it take him to get used to it? I would keep him in if i knew he wont go on the carpet.
we have had labs the oldest was 17yr and we have had irish setter lived 22yrs missy is 15 is still walking but slower a few fatty tummurs but she still going strong and we have a 5yr old