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Buying your first dog is a life changing decision, and the puppy you pick will make a huge difference to whether that change has a positive or a negative impact on your life. It’s important to take a few simple precautions when choosing the breed of dog, breeder and litter of puppies. An impulsive decision…

You wouldn’t believe how controversial keeping a dog in a house with a baby can be. You can’t find a picture on the internet of a baby and a dog together without the comments section descending into chaos, with two hugely opposing sides. One will be sharing adoring anecdotes and sweet emojis, the other will…

Lickimats are small textured rubbery mats designed to be smeared with food, with the aim of encouraging dogs to lick them clean.  And, they have become very popular with dog owners in recent years.  I bought some Lickimats and put them through their paces with my young Lab Bonnie. And I’ve got the results for…

Lots of dogs dig a little, or a lot, at some point in their lives. Some breeds are more hardwired to do it than others. But a lot of the instincts which cause dogs to dig up their bedding are universal to all breeds. So the difference between a dog who can’t resist digging in…

One of the joys of running our Facebook page and moderating our forum is that we get to see the very best of what life with a Labrador has to offer. Every day, members of our community leave messages about how gentle, affectionate, and loving their dogs are. For example settling by their owner’s side…

Labradors are one of the world’s most popular, and most talked about, dog breeds. But here at The Labrador Site HQ, we’re sometimes taken aback by the things said about them. So in this article, it’s time for some myth busting! I’ve compiled a list of most commonly-circulated misconceptions about Labs that we’ve heard over…

Do you remember a time when your Labrador would rush towards you each time you called their name? Is all that changing now? Does your dog take their time, stop to sniff a leaf, or examine a place where another dog has peed? Do they sometimes look directly at you, then turn away and carry…

In this article I want to share with you some interesting headlines from a recent research paper about aggressive behavior in dogs. Aggressive behavior isn’t something that’s pleasant to think about, and hopefully it’s something you’ll never encounter. But we all share the potential to become better dog owners by understanding why dogs sometimes resort…

Great question — giving dogs bones can be super rewarding for them, but there are some safety things to keep in mind. The short answer is: yes, you can give your dogs raw bones from the grocery store, but it depends on the type of bone and how you handle it. Here’s a quick breakdown: ✅ Raw Bones That Are Generally Safe: Raw beef bones (like marrow bones, knuckle bones, or femur bones) Raw lamb bones Raw turkey or chicken necks and wings (only if you’re confident your dog chews well and doesn’t gulp) 👉 These should be large enough …

The first thing many of us want to buy for our new puppy is a bed. There is so much choice when it comes to Labrador puppy beds. Round ones, square ones, squashy ones.  Beds lined with faux fur, tartans and checks.  Washable, spongeable, hose able, even waterproof beds. Beds with legs, beds with sides,…

So you think your dog is smart? I think he IS…CHECK THIS OUT!!! He can learn a LOT of WORDS!!! For instance, toddlers can write, memorize, draw, and solve problems. They even can count to a certain number. In retriever trials, which is interesting with the Labrador, the minimum number of items. A dog must be able to count to do well is –three. This is so he can remember how many ducks have fallen, in what order, and where they are. Isn’t that cool? Once we accept that we can compare our dog’s mind to that of a two …

How smart is your lab? If you base it on social media, you’d think they’re extremely intelligent. They seem to be the equivalent of four-footed humans in fur coats, at least sometimes. Research of late has done a lot of looking into the phenomenon behind the higher mental abilities in dogs. Pavlov only studied simple reflexes. Perhaps one breakthrough when it comes to the cognitive abilities of our dogs, came around in the 1990s. At that time, I was reading a lot of books about dogs and their abilities to process things themselves and also react socially to other environmental …

The food you give your Labrador puppy, together with choosing the right portions and schedules, will help ensure their optimum growth, development and health. Puppy kibble, raw food, wet canned meals and homemade Labrador diets all have different benefits. The amounts of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals vary even between brands of the same…

The best Labrador food is high in fat and protein, but low in carbohydrates. Great diets avoid fillers, and are packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. Working out how to feed a Labrador isn’t just about picking the perfect menu though. You know Labs are enthusiastic eaters and prone to weight gain, so getting the…

Canine probiotics are living bacteria, grown in controlled conditions. Dog probiotics are added to foods, powders, chews and treats as supplements. The intention is that hopefully they ultimately end up living in your dog’s intestines. Your dog’s intestines host all kinds of bacteria. Some of these are disease-causing like Clostridium and Escherichia species. But many…

Would you like your very own handmade replica of your Labrador? A cute copy of your adorable pup, to proudly display in your home? The pattern below is for the yellow Lab puppy shown in the picture here, but you can adapt it to match your dog perfectly. *I have included links to products that…

*How to Stop Your Dog from Counter Surfing** Countersurfing is a common issue where dogs help themselves to food or items on countertops. Here’s how to curb this behavior: **Manage the Environment:** Keep counters clear of food and tempting items to eliminate opportunities for countersurfing. NEVER EVER, EVER FEED YOUR DOG FOOD FROM THE TABLE OR YOUR PLATE! (this implies to your dog that your food is his food–and will sneak to get it when you aren’t looking!) (It’s important that one dog does not teach another bad tricks too!) **Teach “Off” or “Leave It”:** (if your dog is already …

I have been around working retrievers for most of my life but it wasn’t until I started talking to retriever trainers in the USA that I came across the phrase American Labrador.   You hear the term used more widely now, but in the UK it’s still more common for American Labs to be referred to…

Well, the answer is NO… Marley was NOT an Endless Mt. Labrador.  But many have heard that we have a connection to the story of “Marley and Me”, and that is true. In the book, Marley and Me, John Grogan referenced our website when he researched the difference between English and American Labs… Reputable breeders vs. Backyard breeders.  Of course this was AFTER he already had Marley! He quoted my whole introduction “about us” page online, at the time, explaining the difference in temperament between English and American Labs. They actually used a rescue dog for the part of Marley …

Fed up with your dog stealing your shoes, your kid’s toys, food from the table, and anything else they can grab or lay their paws on? You are not alone! And I’m going to show you how to help your dog turn over a new leaf and stop stealing your stuff.  We’ll also look at…

I first heard the term English lab and American Lab many years ago when I joined retriever training and hunting forums to hang out with other folks that shared my passion for working Labrador Retrievers.  I soon discovered that in American hunting circles, the term English Lab was not a compliment. And that English Labradors…

The Vizslador or Labrala, as the Vizsla Lab mix is sometimes called, is a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Hungarian Vizsla. Both breeds are fairly easily trained, and enthusiastic. Sporting breeds like Vizlas and Labradors have been crossed for years in order to combine favorable characteristics of each breed to achieve the perfect…

Chocolate Lab vs black Lab – it’s the battle of the coats! Black is the dominant genetic coat color in the Labrador Retriever breed, so they are more commonly found. Chocolate Labs have a recessive genetic, and each parent needs to carry the potential for this trait for the brown color to overpower the default…

Field Labrador is an unofficial term, generally used to describe an American type Lab. These working Labrador Retrievers are best known for their hunting work, but field Labs and show Labs can both participate in gundog training, and both compete for field titles. These activities are fun ways to engage a Labrador in the kind…

It is not unusual for people go to visit a litter of Labrador puppies to choose their pet, and come home with not one puppy but two! Two puppies usually settle in together very happily. After all, leaving home with your brother or sister is a great deal more fun than leaving home all by…

Apple cider vinegar is commonly used as a home remedy for humans. It’s natural to wonder whether this suppose miracle remedy can help your dog’s ailments too. As a scientist at heart though, I can never take these things at face value. So I’ve been looking at where it comes from, how it works and…

Allegra can alleviate the symptoms of hay fever in dogs, such as a runny nose and eyes, and an itchy coat. It can also help and reduce the itching caused by atopic dermatitis, an excessive allergic reaction to irritants including flea bites, foods, and environmental allergens. Severe atopic dermatitis often leads to “hotspots” on your…

Has your head been turned by a handsome Schnauzer Lab mix pup? You’re already pretty lucky, as they’re pretty rare designer dogs. Although there are a huge number of crossbreed dog mixes vying for our attention these days, from the ubiquitous Labradoodle to the many Cockapoos waiting impatiently at the gates of my daughter’s Kindergarten…

We veterinarians see more laryngeal paralysis in more dogs than you might think. The most common breeds we see with it include the Black Russian Terrier, Rottweiler, Dalmatian, Siberian Husky, Bouvier de Flanders, Leonberger, or Great Pyrenees. But it can be an issue in other medium to large size breeds like Labradors, and any dog…

As a veterinarian, I help a lot of dogs with scratching issues. I’m going to help you to understand the potential underlying reasons, what you can do treat habitual itching at home, and when it’s time to visit your local practice for a bit more assistance and prescription drugs. Symptoms Scratching is self explanatory, but…