Labradoodle temperament is smart, co-operative and ready for action. But this mixed breed can take after either parent dog. So, even puppies from the same litter can have very different personalities. This designer dog breed started out as a service dog for people with allergies. And today, lots of prospective puppy parents want to know …
The brindle Lab has an unusual coat. This pattern is possible in purebred Labs, or can occur as a result of mixed breeding. Brindling is a coat pattern with dark flecks or stripes over a brown base. This pattern can also be known as tiger stripes. Brindle coloring on Labradors is classed as a disqualification …
Why do dogs like squeaky toys? One theory suggests that dogs like squeaky toys because they mimic the sound of ‘prey’ in the wild. But, others suggest their popularity lies in providing an instant sound reward. Squeaky toys are also a good way for dogs to get human attention – whether positive or negative! Let’s …
Switching dog food doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Whether you are changing the brand of food you use, or transitioning dog food from puppy to adult. The best method is to gradually change food over the course of a week. Slowly add in the new food, and reduce the proportion of old food, …
Do dogs get bored? Yes, but there are things you can do to help them fight that feeling! Dogs get bored and frustrated if they don’t get enough exercise, interaction, or opportunities to practice normal doggy behaviors. Bored dogs may try to occupy themselves by performing destructive behaviors. Things like chewing, or abnormal compulsive or …
Ivermectin is a common medication know to be used to kill many different types of parasites. It’s most currently used in monthly heartworm prevention. It has also been used to treat ear mites as well as hair mites, which can cause mange. It is used to treat some internal parasites as well, but is not use predominantly for this. “Additionally, certain dogs are genetically hypersensitive to the medication. In these dogs, ivermectin can pass directly to the brain and be toxic or even lethal. Sensitivity to the drug can also be seen in dogs or puppies that have overdosed on a similar medication …
Tea tree oil and dogs is a popular combination. This oil is a leaf extract that is often used as a natural, topical flea treatment. People also use it for dogs’ ears or yeast infections in their pups. However, there is very little evidence for the toxicity of tea tree oil on fleas. And, there …
Curly Coated Retriever vs Labrador Retriever – the battle of the gundog retrievers! The Labrador Retriever is America’s favorite breed, and the Curly Coated Retriever is a lot less well known! But, both breeds are friendly, playful, and very trainable. Labs have more intense grooming needs, and Curly Retrievers can be a little more serious …
You’re trapped indoors. Either working from home, or temporarily not working at all. You have no obligations outside the house. You are, in effect, trapped. And you can remember that the last time you got a puppy, this was similar to how you felt. Stuck indoors. So, does that mean now is a good time …
THINGS TO CONSIDER DURING COVID-19/Social Isolation – “You and your Pet”–by Donna Stanley, Founder, EML 1. Remember that dogs (and cats) cannot give or get this virus. There are still scores of pets being abandoned (due to misinformation) and shelters are asking for our help in adopting if we can. I’ve referred at least 3 people just this week to animals like this. 2. Keep a close watch on your dog. Pets-especially purebred-especially labs–theft is on the rise–times are crazy–I’ll say no more… 3. Keep your pet exercised just like you should yourself, for your physical and mental stability, during …
Is your Labrador out of control? Is he embarrassing you? Are you worried about what will happen when you let your out of control dog off the leash in public? And what can you do about it? Pippa takes a look at control issues in Labs and other large dogs, including why it is so …
Weimaraner vs Labrador – how similar are these breeds really? Both the Weimaraner and the Labrador Retriever are athletic, intelligent, and friendly dogs. They are similar sizes, and even have similar face shapes and floppy ears! But these breeds come from different parts of the world. They have different fur colors and very different grooming …
Many times when people think “commercial” they think ‘big.” But in the state of PA we are required by law to have a license based on how many dogs go in and out of our kennel during a calendar year (this includes visiting dogs and stud services as well). For about 30 years we were categorized as “private” but a few years back we went (1) dog over the requirement for transferred dogs (in a calendar year—an oversight by us and the dog law office) so our state required us to be ‘commercial’…and also put about $50,000+ into upgrading the …
The very beginning of the “AKC standard for the Labrador Retriever” begins: “About the Labrador Retriever “The sturdy, well-balanced Labrador Retriever can, depending on the sex, stand from 21.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds. The dense, hard coat comes in yellow, black, and a luscious chocolate. The head is wide, the eyes glimmer with kindliness, and the thick, tapering “otter tail” seems to be forever signaling the breed’s innate eagerness.” (https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/) Basically, the hair on your Lab’s tail should be swirled around itself “wrapping” the hair around the tail. The hair should …
The Labrador vs Dalmatian debate takes a look at two great family dogs. But how similar are they? Both Labradors and Dalmatians are similar sizes. The breeds are both intelligent, confident, and active. So they can both take well to training, and need plenty of exercise. However, these breeds do have some key differences! Let’s …
THE SCARE IS ON! (How should we react, I mean, we vaccinate our dogs for coronavirus, right?) The threat that the virus causing COVID-19 could sicken pets and spread between them and their owners is extremely low, veterinarians say. The type of coronavirus that is carried and sickens our pets is an absolutely different strain.Concerns about pet illness with COVID-19, and spread between owners and their animals emerged on Feb. 28, when Hong Kong health authorities announced that a dog belonging to a woman sick with COVID-19, also tested “weak positive” for the new coronavirus, the virus that causes the …
Coronavirus in dogs usually takes the form of a mild bout of gastroenteritis. However, at the time of writing, a global outbreak of respiratory coronavirus in people is also causing a great deal of fear and worry. These two types of coronavirus are different and separate. This article is all about: the distinction between coronavirus …
Do you have a black Lab with a white chest? A white mark on your black Labrador’s chest is not as unusual as you might think. This pattern actually closely resembles the St John’s Water Dog, an ancestor of the modern Labrador breed. Labradors can have white marks on their chest, feet, and tail. This …
New Disney Plus Dog Documentary Check this out! Disney plus has just released an interesting documentary that dives into why there are so many different kinds of dog breeds and why they look the way that they do. Made by National Geographic, this documentary is called “How Dogs got their Shapes”. There is a great section that focuses on the history of the Labrador Retriever. We hope you enjoy it!
The Labrador breed standard specifies the ideal appearance of a pedigree Labrador Retriever from head to tail. Labrador breed standards are set by national kennel clubs, which means they can vary in small details from country to country. The breed standard is very exacting, so lots of Labradors won’t meet every detail of it perfectly. …
A long haired Lab is a Labrador Retriever with two copies of a recessive gene which causes them to grow a longer, finer, wavier coat than typical Labradors. Long coated Labs are still purebred dogs which can be entered onto breed registries. But their coats disqualify them the show bench. Some breeders believe that since long …
How long does it take to train a dog? With regular practice and commitment, many dog owners are able to teach their dogs reliable basic manners in a year or so. Of course there are a great many variables which mean dog training can take longer. But luckily they can all be planned for, and …
Today’s article on how to stop a dog from digging is by best-selling author Pippa Mattinson. Pippa’s online dog training courses can be found over on the Dogsnet website. Do you need to know how to stop a dog from digging up their yard? Just why do dogs dig holes? And how can we keep …