How to choose the right Labrador puppy?

Breed characteristics and external data

Labrador is one of the most popular pet breeds. They are distinguished from other animals by their wonderful character. “Labrick” will be a wonderful companion; he willingly adapts to his owner and loves children. Kids of the Labrador Retriever breed are not prone to aggression, they are caring and affectionate. In addition to the initial hunting role, your new friend can serve:

• companion;
• guide;
• lifeguard;
• bloodhound.

A purebred dog can boast of a good appearance. The dog is strongly built, with strong bones. Acceptable height at the withers is 54-57 cm. It has a wide skull, chest, and loin. The dog's front paws are clawed and straight, the toes are arched, with well-developed pads. The coat is short and thick, repels water. The muzzle is massive, wide, with well-developed nostrils. A distinctive feature of the breed is its not very long, thick tail, gradually tapering towards the base, without bending behind the back.

How to choose the right puppy

Choose a Labrador Retriever responsibly, because this is a creature that you will have to take care of for at least 10-15 years. Nuances:

• Do not make this decision yourself; if you do not live alone, be sure to discuss the issue with your family. Distribute caregiving responsibilities among family members, but remember that it will be difficult for a small child to cope with a hyperactive dog.
• Make a decision - you want to have a dog or a bitch. Males for the most part are larger and stronger than females, making them much more difficult to walk with. They strive to show other dogs “who’s boss” and are already interested in the opposite sex at a young age. Girls are more affectionate, calm and become more attached to their owner. Problems with them can arise during the estrus period, which lasts 21 days twice a year.
• Think about where to choose your puppy. You should attend several large dog shows and try to contact an experienced breeder there. In such places, only promising puppies with interesting pedigrees and all the necessary documents are almost always exhibited. There you can also find titled parents for your future retriever.
• The description and cost of puppies can be found on the Internet. Each large breeder has its own website, which describes breed standards and prices. Trusted nurseries can guarantee that puppies will be fully vaccinated. Avoid flea markets where no one can provide the puppy's measurements.

Purpose of acquisition

This is a universal dog with a wide variety of working qualities. The main purposes for purchasing retrievers are for show, breeding, hunting, or just as a pet. The requirements for dogs that will perform are very strict, which will make choosing a puppy difficult. When choosing a hunter, it is important that the dog is not cowardly or timid during puppyhood. For a pet, the main requirements are health, good mental health and an affordable price.

Criterias of choice

• Breeder qualifications - choose proven ones.
• Male or female - according to qualities.
• The price of a puppy varies between 30-60 thousand rubles.
• Working qualities of parents - depending on the purpose of acquisition.
• Temperament and type - according to your preferences.
• The structure of the hairline should be thick and water-repellent.
• The physical condition of the puppy is healthy, plays, vaccinated.
• The tail should be short and thick at the base. Should not curl over the back, as in some breeds.
• Muzzle – with narrow and thick ears; pupils are colorless.

Which coat color do you prefer?

Breed standards allow three types of retriever colors: black, beige (brown) and fawn (dudley). Often future owners think that there are differences other than visual ones. The temperament, character and health of a puppy do not depend in any way on color. The psychological factor is on the side of light-colored dogs - people subconsciously treat them more calmly. Fawn Labrador puppies are widely advertised, which is the description of the dog people imagine when they hear about Labradors.

Male or female

If you plan to purchase a Labrador puppy for the purpose of breeding and maintaining purebred qualities, you should start by purchasing a female. It is also important that the girl is the result of excellent selection of appropriate quality. If you need a dog for hunting and searching, then it is better to opt for males, since the stages of estrus will greatly interfere with the dog’s working abilities.

As far as trainability is concerned, there is no significant difference between a bitch and a dog. Here the matter depends more on the experience and skills of the trainer than on the gender of the dog itself. Anyone who has ever owned or bred Labradors knows that no two dogs are alike. Each of them has its own unique personality that sets it apart from the others. In this case, in order to choose the right Labrador puppy, it is best to discuss this topic with the breeder. Firstly, he knows the puppy’s parents, and secondly, he observes them until at least 8 weeks of age - a period that allows him to draw some conclusions about the dog’s personality.

Diet of a small Labrador

A dog, if it is fed correctly, always has the same weight, looks healthy, its coat is shiny and free of dandruff. A good appetite is an indicator that the dog is being fed properly. At a young age, it is better for the pet to be rather thin in appearance than fat, so as not to interfere with the development of tendons and joints. It is better to stick to the diet that the breeder practiced, and only introduce new products over time.

Approximate daily diet for a small Labrador: meat 15 g per 1 kg of dog weight, carbohydrates - 5 g per 1 kg of weight, fats - 2 g per 2 kg of weight. Don't forget to drink - clean water should always be available. Stick to the formula above and avoid:

1. fatty pork;
2. sausages;
3. peppery and spicy foods;
4. bones (can lead to constipation);
5. spoiled products;
6. any sweets.

How many times should you feed your puppy?

Until two months of age, Labrador puppies eat 6 times a day. Do not feed the puppy at night; distribute these 6 feedings throughout the day approximately every 3.5-4 hours, and then, as the number of feedings decreases, increase the interval between them. From 2 to 4 months the puppy is fed 5 times a day, from 4 to 5 months - 4 times, from 5 to 6 months - 3-4 times. From 6 months, gradually transfer your Labrador puppy to the diet of an adult Labrador. From the age of 6 months, feed your Labrador twice – in the morning and in the evening, at certain hours.

What to feed with a natural diet

If you feed your Labrador with regular food, it is important to properly balance the diet. Remember: Labrador puppies are not gourmets, there is no need to try to diversify their food - it is better for the food to be the same, but always complete. Any flavoring additives (spices, ketchups, mayonnaise, etc.) are harmful and dangerous for a dog. Include in your diet:

• Meat is a large part of natural nutrition. Any part of beef is included in the diet (goulash is suitable, take tendons, veins, trachea, cheeks), lamb is recommended. Give the meat raw, fresh or after freezing. You cannot cook it for a long time if it is intended for a dog.
• Vegetables and fruits, herbs (vegetable components are given lightly stewed in a frying pan, boiled in water).
• Porridge. Keep in mind that many people love buckwheat and are allergic to it.

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Premium ready-made food

When feeding your Labrador with ready-made food, there will be no problems with choosing a diet. The question is one thing - the food needs to be selected successfully. Buying the most expensive one will not guarantee that it will suit your dog. Buy food in small packages at first. Study how your Labrador reacts to it, whether there are any allergic reactions: check for redness in the ears, belly, and interdigital spaces. See if your Labrador eats this food with pleasure. Pay attention to dry food from the Holistic line.

Girl or boy

Who to choose - a boy or a girl? This question is often asked by people who want to buy a dog. The difference is insignificant, but there are some nuances that require description.

The main problem that the owner of a girl may face is estrus. Its consequences can be both damaged furniture and unwanted pregnancy. But Labradors are fairly clean dogs, so there shouldn’t be any problems with dirty furniture. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, it is necessary to closely monitor the dog during heat and drive away the yard "gentlemen". In general, girls are considered easier to train and have a gentler disposition than boys.

The boy is slightly larger than the girl and is more difficult to train. In addition, when meeting a female dog who is currently in heat, it can be very difficult to control. However, when choosing a male, you can rest assured: no one will bring you puppies in the lap.

How to arrange a place of detention

When you have a small puppy, you need to create a “place” for him where the baby can sleep. Place the “place” in a dry, not very warm room - for example, a room or a hallway, not near a central heating radiator, not near a stove, and not on the go. Excessive heat has a bad effect on the animal; it will interfere with your pet’s sleep. It is advisable not to place the puppy in the hallway or kitchen if the size of the apartment allows a different arrangement.

The “place” for the first time can be a small, not deep box (or box), with a mattress pad, which must be washed occasionally. For “space,” avoid drafts. Labrador puppies eagerly go to their place with all the toys and bones. The little Labrador sleeps a lot, so give him that part of the apartment where it is as quiet as possible most of the time.

approximate cost

How much does a Labrador puppy cost? The cost of these babies can be very different: they are sold at both quite reasonable and exorbitant prices. You can buy a baby without vaccinations, certificates and a veterinary passport for 5–15 thousand rubles. If the puppy has a passport, you can purchase it for 20–35 thousand rubles. Although with such dogs you are unlikely to win at the show.

If you purchase a Labrador for the purpose of participating in exhibitions, purchasing such a dog will cost you 40–60 thousand rubles. Such a dog, as a rule, has excellent characteristics and all the necessary documents.

Features of education and training

As you train your dog, you will develop your own methodology. The main thing is that the classes are friendly and useful. Follow the generally accepted Labrador training tips to help train your puppy:

• Choose a site where there will be no one except you and the dog.
• Classes should be short - children are not able to concentrate for long.
• If you use a toy as a reward, use the item only for activities. Then it will be of great value to the Labrador.
• If you reward with treats, they should be in the form of small pieces that are easy to swallow.
• All “goodies” are excluded from the daily diet.
• End your classes on a happy and positive note.

Where to buy a Labrador in Moscow

It is worth paying attention to nurseries registered according to the rules of the RKF. As a rule, the older the nursery, the more guarantees it can provide. A simple search on the Internet reveals many similar companies in Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Amar Vasant kennel was registered and licensed in 1998, provides free consultations on the selection of puppies, and a detailed description of the dogs is available. Many of the nursery's Labradors have been successfully exhibited at various competitions, including the Russian Championship.