What About Labrador Retrievers?

Karla Rugh

Description

Are Labrador Retrievers generally healthy dogs?

How much does it cost to keep a Lab?

Can I keep my Lab inside, or do I need a yard?

That little Labrador Retriever puppy is so adorable-but is he the right dog for you? Many prospective dog owners don't ask the questions they should when deciding to bring a new puppy home. Now, the What About? series is here to help you understand the real-life implications of your decision, saving you time, money, and potential heartache-and protecting you and the dog from the consequences of an inappropriate choice.

Drawing upon the expertise of Labrador Retriever breeders, owners, rescue organizations, veterinarians, and trainers, What About Labrador Retrievers? provides honest, reliable advice on what it's really like to own and raise a Lab-no punches pulled. In a friendly, easy-to-follow Q&A format, veterinarian Karla Rugh offers solid, proven guidance on everything you need to know about raising a Lab, including:

Breed characteristics ? Behavior ? Costs of ownership ? Development in all life stages ? Diet ? Exercise requirements ? Genetics and why it'simportant ? Health and general care ? Temperament ? Training requirements ? Working with behaviorists, trainers, and veterinarians ? And more

Don't be taken by surprise. Get the answers you need now-before you get that Labrador Retriever puppy-and make a smart, informed decision.
1. What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever?

2. What Are Labrador Retrievers Like?

3. What Should I Know About Getting a Labrador Retriever?

4. What Should I Feed My Labrador Retriever?

5. What’s It Like to Live With a Labrador Retriever?

6. How Healthy Are Labrador Retrievers?

7. How Should I Groom My Labrador Retriever?

8. What Does Training a Labrador Retriever Involve?

9. What Do Labrador Retrievers Do for Fun?

How Can I Learn More?

Index.

Sujets

• Dogs
• Labrador Retriever
• Pets
• Breeds

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 27 août 2007
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780470256589
• Langue: English

Extrait

What About? Labrador Retrievers
Karla Rugh, D.V.M., Ph.D.
This book is printed on acid-free paper.
Copyright 2004 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey All photos copyright 2004 by Kent and Donna Dannen
Howell Book House
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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ISBN: 0-7645-4088-2
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
1 What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever?
2 What Are Labrador Retrievers Like?
3 What Should I Know About Getting a Labrador Retriever?
4 What Should I Feed My Labrador Retriever?
5 What s It Like to Live With a Labrador Retriever?
6 How Healthy Are Labrador Retrievers?
7 How Should I Groom My Labrador Retriever?
8 What Does Training a Labrador Retriever Involve?
9 What Do Labrador Retrievers Do for Fun?
How Can I Learn More?
Index

1 What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever?
What is a Labrador Retriever?
Are there differences between hunting Labs and show Labs?
Can I get a mini-Lab?
What color Lab should I get?
How long do Labs live?
How long do Labs stay puppies?
Where do Labs come from?
Are modern Labs very different from early Labs?
How has the Lab s working background influenced his temperament?
What are Labs used for today?
Are Labs a popular breed?
What type of personality does a Lab have?
What are 10 good reasons to get a Lab?
What are 10 good reasons not to get a Lab?
What type of person makes a good Lab owner?
What does a Lab need?
2 What Are Labrador Retrievers Like?
What makes my Lab act like a Lab?
What is pack mentality?
Why do I have to learn why my Lab behaves the way she does?
How do Labs communicate?
Would I relate well to a Lab?
What is a Lab s temperament generally like?
How does a typical Lab puppy act?
What can I expect from an adult Lab?
How do senior Labs behave?
What is it like to have a pet Lab?
3 What Should I Know About Getting a Labrador Retriever?
What do I need to know about getting a Lab?
What are the responsibilities of being a Lab owner?
What choices do I have in selecting a Lab?
How much does a Lab cost?
How do I know my Lab is purebred?
What are papers?
Where can I get a Lab?
How do I pick out a good puppy?
How can I tell if an adult Lab is healthy?
What are some of the reasons people give up their Labrador Retrievers?
4 What Should I Feed My Labrador Retriever?
Does it matter what I feed my Lab?
What types of nutrition-related health problems occur in Labs?
What does my Lab need to eat to be healthy?
How do I feed my Lab a nutritionally sound diet?
Are there different types of completely balanced dog food?
Can I feed my Lab table food?
What should I look for on a dog food label?
What kind of diet does a Lab puppy need to be healthy?
What kind of diet does a senior Lab need to be healthy?
How much food does my Lab need?
How often should I feed my Lab?
How often should I give my Lab water?
How much will it cost to feed my Lab?
What are the typical feeding mistakes that Lab owners make?
5 What s It Like to Live With a Labrador Retriever?
What does my Lab need in the house?
How do I make my home safe for my Lab?
What equipment and supplies will I need for my Lab?
What kind of feeding equipment do I need for my Lab?
What type of collar and leash should I get for my Lab?
What are the best types of toys for Labs?
What rules of the house should I have for my Lab?
Will I be able to leave my Lab home alone while I work?
Can I keep my Lab inside, or do I need a yard?
What does my Lab need when he s outside?
How can I keep my Lab safe outdoors?
How can I keep my Lab comfortable when he s outside?
How much exercise does a Lab need?
6 How Healthy Are Labrador Retrievers?
Are Labs generally healthy dogs?
What do I need to do to keep my Lab in good health?
How do I find a veterinarian?
Why does my Lab need regular veterinary care if she s in good health?
How much will it cost a year to keep my Lab healthy?
What is an immunization?
Why are immunizations important?
What are internal parasites?
Why is it important to control internal parasites?
What are external parasites?
Why is it necessary to control external parasites?
Why should I have my Lab spayed or neutered?
What are the most common health problems seen in Labs?
How can I tell if my Lab is sick or injured?
7 How Should I Groom My Labrador Retriever?
What type of grooming care does my Lab need?
What are the characteristics of a Lab s coat, and how will they affect the way I groom my dog?
How much time will I need to spend on grooming?
What type of equipment will I need for grooming?
What will happen if I don t groom my Lab regularly?
Do Labs tend to be smelly?
Why do I need to brush my Lab?
Why is bathing important?
Will I have to trim my Lab s nails?
Why is it important to take care of my Lab s ears?
What type of dental care will my Lab need?
8 What Does Training a Labrador Retriever Involve?
Why is training my Lab important?
What do I need to know about Labs for training purposes?
Are Labs easy to train?
Can I train my Lab when she s a puppy?
What effect does a Lab s strength have on training?
What techniques should I use to train my Lab?
Will my Lab enjoy training sessions?
When should I start training my Lab?
What should I teach my Lab?
How much time will it take to teach my Lab basic manners and obedience commands?
How can I learn how to train my Lab?
9 What Do Labrador Retrievers Do for Fun?
What types of activities can I do with my Lab?
What do I need to know about walking and jogging with my Lab?
Can I go swimming with my Lab?
What are some games that my Lab and I will like?
What do dog clubs do?
What is the Canine Good Citizen program?
What types of competitions can my Lab and I enter?
How can I get started in an organized dog sport?
What types of service activities do Labs participate in?
How Can I Learn More?
Labrador Retriever Clubs
Purebred Dog Clubs
Hunting Dog Clubs
Activity Organizations
Health Organizations
Service Organizations
Books
Index
1
What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever?
What is a Labrador Retriever? Are there differences between hunting Labs and show Labs? Can I get a mini-Lab? What color Lab should I get? How long do Labs live? How long do Labs stay puppies? Where do Labs come from? Are modern Labs very different from early Labs? How has the Lab s working background influenced his temperament? What are Labs used for today? Are Labs a popular breed? What type of personality does a Lab have? What are 10 good reasons to get a Lab? What are 10 good reasons not to get a Lab? What type of person makes a good Lab owner? What does a Lab need?
What is a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever is a medium-size (weight 55 to 80 pounds, height 21 to 24 inches) dog characterized by a dense, water-resistant coat, a thick otter tail and a clean-cut, broad head with a friendly facial expression. A sporting breed, Labrador Retrievers are active, athletic dogs who need regular exercise for optimal mental and physical health. These people-oriented dogs also require substantial amounts of human companionship. Labs may be black, yellow or chocolate brown. Labs have easy-care coats but do shed seasonally. Labs have webbed feet for swimming.
What is an otter tail?
An otter tail is thick at the base (where it connects to the body) and gradually tapers to the tip. The otter tail-one of the distinctive features of the Labrador Retriever-is described in great detail in the breed standard (the official description of the ideal Lab). It can also be a source of great consternation to Lab owners, as an exuberantly wagged otter tail can clear a coffee table in a matter of seconds.
What is a retriever?
A retriever is a dog who brings back game birds that a hunter has killed. The job is more complica