John K.Rosembert
The Labrador Retriever (aka Labrador, or Lab for short) is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog.
The Labrador Retriever is loyal, devoted, playful, and hardworking. He is patient with children and makes a wonderful companion and family dog.
There are two types depending on which lab they were bred from: the English-bred Labs and the American-bred Labs. The English-bred Labs have a stockier, blockier, heavier and thicker build than the American-bred dogs. Both breeds have smooth double-coats without waves. The English labs also are more laid-back and they mature faster. Whatever their ancestry, Labs have a natural disposition to please and have fun, Although he barks protectively, due to his friendly nature, he is not suitable to be a guard dog, but he excels as a guide dog or assistance dog for the disabled, a search-and-rescue dog and a sniffer dog.
If you are thinking of getting or got a Labrador Retriever, here are some of the most common health issues your Labrador might face:
- Joint Problems: Many Labs suffer from joint problems such as hip or elbow dysplasia, these conditions affect the hip or elbow joints, prohibiting normal movement and causing pain and immobility.
- Bloat and Obesity: Labradors are famously known for rapid eating which can also result in dangerous gastric distention. In dogs, this is also known as bloat which is a huge health problem in Labradors.
- Caudal myopathy: This condition, which can scare many Labradors Retriever owners, is also known as “limber tail syndrome” and is commonplace among the breed, but not exclusive to it. Myopathy in this area is characterized by a flaccid paralysis in the tail.
- Eye problems: Many Labradors suffer from eye problems, from minor ocular defects to cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy. These are hereditary diseases that impair the dog’s vision.
Sources:
Photo Credit: http://fishsubsidy.org/labrador-retriever/
https://www.dogzhealth.com/labrador-retriever-health-problems/
https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-health-and-care/common-labrador-health-conditions/
