Working Labradors

Everyone knows that the Labrador Retriever is a beautiful, friendly animal; some may not realize, though, that this diverse canine has a rich history and fills many important roles in the lives of their owners.

While many dog owners prefer a purebred dog, there are many benefits to owning a mixed breed dog. A great combination is a Labrador and Golden Retriever mix. This new hybrid is called a Golden Labrador, although it is not officially recognized by the AKC.

Your Labrador retriever is smart and wants to learn tricks, if for no other reason than to please you. Happy, well-adjusted dogs are the ones who are allowed playtime, romping, running, games and learning to keep their minds and bodies agile. A bored dog will exhibit signs by digging, chewing, wandering off or barking incessantly. It will help everyone in your family, especially your Lab, if you take the time to train them, discipline them and love them in equal measures.

It isn’t something you see everyday, a dog that nearly dwarfs his dog trainer, but that is what happens when you look at Giant George. The Great Dane is so big that recently, the Guinness Book of World Records awarded him the title of Worlds biggest dog. His dog trainer, George Nassar is ecstatic.

Ear infections are very common in large dogs, especially in Labradors due to the size and shapes of their ears. The lab’s long ears fold over to protect their ear canal causing a warm, moist climate, perfect for any organism to flourish in, and therefore, leading to infection. Because hearing is crucial for labs for survival and security it is important to be diligent when it comes to recognizing a potential ear infection.

There are three requirements set by the GDA (Guide Dogs of America) that are essential for a dog to qualify: willingness, health, and temperament. There are three breeds that meet these standards – the Golden Retriever, the German Shepherd, and the Labrador Retriever.