Some Facts About Labrador Retrievers
Labs are, in my opinion, the true meaning of man's best friend. If you are looking for a dog, this is the breed to get.
About the Labrador
Labradors are extremely intelligent, loving, patient, loyal, and lively. They love to play and run around, and especially swim! They love attention, and are very easily trained. They come in three different colors: Yellow, Black, and Chocolate. Yellow labs are not to be mistaken with Golden Labs, a Golden Retriever Labrador mix. There are also White and Fox-Red Labs, but they are considered variations in coat color for the Yellow Lab color.
A Little History
English Labrador Retrievers are actually from Newfoundland, off the eastern coast of Canada. They were originally bred to be fishing and hunting dogs. They would retrieve fowl shot down by their owners by swimming out into freezing cold water, finding the bird, and then bringing it back in their mouths intact. When fishing they would jump overboard into icy water to haul nets to shore.
Taking Care of Your Lab
Labs, like all dogs, need love and attention, food and water, and lots of exercise. They eat a lot, and this is just their nature, not because they are hungry all the time, so don't think you are underfeeding it. Try not to give your dog too much food, Labradors are known to become obese extremely easily. Having had 3 Labradors in my life, I recommend walking it everyday, twice a day, to keep it fit.
Common Things that Can Harm Your Dog
There are lots of things that we have in our houses that we don't even think about, but can harm your dog. Here are just a few:
- Alcohol - besides causing intoxication
can cause a coma or even be fatal.
- Avocados - a
fatty acid found in avocado leaves, fruit, seeds, and bark called 'persin"
can cause difficulty in breathing, abnormal fluid accumulations in
the chest, abdomen and the sac around the heart.
- Chocolate - this
and any chocolate related product such as cocoa powder, cocoa beans,
cocoa mulch are very dangerous for dogs. These products contain
caffeine and theobromine, both are nervous system stimulants and
since dogs metabolize theobromine more slowly than humans it can
cause a multitude of problems including death. Dark chocolate has
the highest concentration.
- Coffee, tea and cola -
contain caffeine and can cause a caffeine toxicity, plus tea and
cola contain theobromine.
- Grapes and raisins -
are highly toxic to dogs - we do not know the toxic component, but
eating large amounts can cause kidney damage or failure.
- Macadamia nuts -
another toxic mystery, but a dangerous food for dogs, it can cause
depression, hyperthermia, weakness, muscular stiffness, tremors and
increased heart rate.
-
Mushrooms -
contain toxins which can be fatal if eaten by a dog.
- Nutmeg - I did
not know this would affect a dog, but it is on the list of very
dangerous foods for dogs, and if a dog eats enough it can be fatal.
I do not know what enough is - so keep it away from your dog.
- Onions and garlic - it
is not known how large a quantity of onions or garlic need to be
consumed by a dog (or cat), but they are considered dangerous
because they contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can break
apart red blood cells and cause anemia. According to what I have
read consumed in large amounts can result in severe anemia and even
death, if not treated by your veterinarian.
- Xylitol - this is a
sugar substitute found in some gums and in sugar free candies that
is extremely harmful to dogs. If a dog eats enough candy it can
cause life-threatening low blood sugar, loss of coordination,
depression, liver damage, collapse and seizures.
- Yeast Dough - rising
yeast dough can cause gas to build up in a pet's digestive system
causing its stomach or intestines to rupture. Do not feed your dog
any raw dough that has yeast in it. Once it is cooked a small amount
of bread or rolls are okay for your pet.
Links
Here are some good links about Labs and taking care of them. Just enter "Labrador" in the search box and BAM!! Info right at your fingertips!
Sources: http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Household-Items-Can-Be-a-Threat-to-Your-Dog!&id=2506364
www.ourlabdaisy.com® and Daisy's Domain©©2010 by The Bennetts.
Please do not reproduce any portion of this website.
Last updated 1/15/10