How to care for a Labrador retriever?

Playful and cute Labradors are known to many people - it is simply impossible not to pay attention to them on the street. The kind look of this dog and its friendly nature made the breed very popular. If you decide to make yourself such a friend, then you should know how to take care of him properly. And we will answer most of the questions that arise about the content of a Labrador retriever.

The Labrador is a friend dog, a companion dog. The breed is versatile, because these dogs can be used as guide dogs, hunting assistants, and even nannies. It is surprising that the characteristics of these dogs are so varied and include so many canine "professions".

Ideal for living with a large family with children. They have a great time with people and love everyone indiscriminately. So, perhaps, the only disadvantage that can be found in the description of the breed is their inability to distinguish between enemy and friend. As a watchman, Labradors are not suitable, unless they lick a robber who sneaks up to death.

These dogs love to swim. Nature has awarded them with a special structure of the paws. They have membranes, which allows dogs to move in the water faster than a duck and not get tired for a long time while swimming. Their tail is similar to that of an otter. Labradors twist it in the water and thus change the direction of movement. The coat of dogs is also adapted to water procedures - it is thick and multi-layered, and the bottom layer is covered with fat.

The back of the body of Labradors has a reinforced muscle corset, which allows them to jump high and far. The recorded Labrador jump record is 8 meters in length.However, this benefit is overshadowed by possible joint problems as the dog gets older.

By transferring something in their mouth, Labradors do not damage it by clenching their teeth. This canine trait is called "soft mouth". This is very important for future owners with small children. Labradors are distinguished by quite good health, they are not afraid of the cold. They have an excellent memory, are quickly trainable and try to take a leading position in the owner's family.

Many owners of private houses are concerned about where a Labrador can be kept. It is unpleasant if the dog will freeze in winter or suffer from the heat in summer. In fact, this breed of dog feels good both in the house and on the street, if you provide it with the necessary comfortable conditions.

In a private house or apartment, an active dog can make a serious mess, sweeping away everything in its path with a fluffy and restless tail. You can prevent regular tricks only good education and training.

In a closed room, the dog must have its own corner, where its bedding and a couple of toys lie. The resting place should be located away from batteries and drafts so that the Labrador is comfortable and warm, but not hot.

For adult dogs, you can use several layers of cloth wrapped in a blanket, a piece of thick carpet or a flat pillow as bedding. If there is a removable cover on the bedding, then it will become much more convenient for the owner to keep this place clean. It is necessary to clean up after the dog every day, sweeping away the fallen hair. Once a week it is necessary to wipe the floors without using aggressive detergents.

Living in a private yard can be a real treat for your dog if you give it plenty of play and a comfortable place to relax. An equipped aviary will help the dog to behave actively, which means that the Labrador will not be bored. Ideally, if the aviary will be located on a lawn with grass, and no more than half of this place will be illuminated by the bright sun in the summer.

It is necessary to leave a bowl of clean water in the aviary, since a constantly frolicking dog must be able to quench its thirst at any time. It is better to bring food in accordance with the chosen mode.

An equipped kennel will help protect your dog from the sun and rain, and will also keep your dog warm on cold nights. There should be warm upholstery inside the booth, and the location of the house should be thought out in advance: a constant shadow or scorching rays of the sun is not the best option.

And during severe cold weather it is better to give the Labrador overnight stay inside the master's premises.

Labradors are quite unpretentious dogs. Special care should be taken only for the puppy, as it is susceptible to various diseases and problems. Dogs of this breed are very clean, so caring for them at home is not a big deal. Let's take a closer look at how to properly care for a Labrador.

Labradors are very active dogs... They need to throw out their energy somewhere, so walking is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle for these dogs. To satisfy their needs, you need to walk with them at least twice a day for an hour.

A leisurely walk on a leash in the park is not what Labradors want. They need to be allowed to play and run without a leash. The best option would be to find a friend for your dog, the same breed or similar in behavior. Then the Labrador will receive the necessary positive emotions and activity.

If there is no possibility of walking in the company of another dog, then the owner himself must take on the role of an active companion. Games of "fetch a stick", catching a flying saucer or a ball are ideal for the good-natured dog.But the best entertainment for a Labrador is swimming in the nearest body of water, which has the best effect on his health and nervous system.

It is important for the owner to remember that a reservoir, according to the Labrador, is any puddle or ditch with mud. That's why you need to be prepared for sudden and not too pleasant water procedures for your pet, and then - to his gratitude in the form of hot and dirty hugs.

A separate article on the care of this wonderful pet is Labrador hygiene. You should not let the dog's condition take its course so that the Labrador remains healthy and active all his life.

The coat of this breed is rather thick, therefore it is necessary to comb it at least every other day. In puppies it is worth doing this every day. You should not bathe your dog too often with shampoos. As it gets dirty, it must be cleaned, but if there is not so much dirt, it is better to remove it with a damp cloth.

For the first time, it is better to have the claw trimming procedure done by a veterinarian to see how to do it correctly and safely. The Labrador needs to brush his teeth about once a week with a special dog toothbrush. Ears are a weak point for Labradors, so they should be regularly wiped with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine solution using a cotton swab.

Special care must be taken for the puppies... Before a walk, their paws should be rubbed with wax, as they are still very delicate and prone to injury. Cubs' eyes also require additional daily cleaning. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in a special liquid.

The Labrador is a fairly large dog, so feeding such a pet will cost a pretty penny. To give your pet everything it needs for life, it is necessary to include in its diet all the ingredients in the correct proportions. Namely: proteins - 15 g per 1 kg of weight, carbohydrates - 5 g per kg of weight, and fats - 2 grams. The optimal composition of the BJU is a guarantee of the health of your dog, and it is especially important to observe the correct diet for the puppies.

Here are the ideal foods for every day to feed your Labrador retriever.

• Meat. Low-fat varieties are suitable: chicken, beef, turkey. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to give offal: liver, udder, scar. Sometimes breeders give raw meat, but to exclude infections and parasites, it is better to cook it all the same.
• A fish... An irreplaceable product, and is suitable as a source of easily digestible protein and fatty acids. Only boneless sea fish should be given and boiled well before feeding.
• Groats. The dog's body should receive complex carbohydrates in the form of cereals. Buckwheat and rice will be the optimal cereals for a Labrador, as an allergy to oatmeal may occur. In addition to these products, rye bread crumbs can be used as a source of carbohydrates.
• Dairy products and eggs. Labradors are given chicken yolk every other day, which is mixed with porridge and meat. Of dairy products, it is better to give preference to kefir, cottage cheese, cheese and sour cream.
• Vegetables... Various vegetables should be given as a vitamin supplement to the diet. They improve the functioning of the digestive tract. Beets, squash, pumpkin, carrots and cabbage are ideal. They are boiled, crushed and served with a spoonful of vegetable oil or sour cream.

Labradors are also given complete dry food. It must be chosen from the types premium class, since only such food can provide all the needs of an active dog's body.

Good to give to Labradors special vitamin supplements, which are sold in veterinary stores and pharmacies.

These dogs are very fond of snacks and will eat whatever is offered to them.However, it is necessary to limit the dog's consumption of such products: flour and sweet products, fried fatty foods, smoked meats, spices, bones and rotten foods.

The expert advice will help Labrador owners avoid mistakes in keeping their dogs.