How To Care for Yellow Labrador Retrievers

Difficulty: Easy

Cost:

Labrador Retrievers have been within the top five most popular dog breeds for the last few decades, thanks to the fact that they make such incredible family pets. This is especially true for Yellow Labradors. To be perfectly honest, if you are the proud owner of a Black Labrador and are considering getting him a Yellow partner in crime, you are most likely already prepared for it. The color difference does not translate to behavioral differences, but Chocolates tend to be a bit more high strung than the other two colors.

Yellow Labs possess all of the celebrated traits of a family dog. They're wonderful with children, which is a selling point for most families. Active and fun, they're easily trained if an owner commits the proper time to training. Yellow Labs make great therapy dogs, service dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and seeing-eye dogs. Only Golden Retrievers rival them in ability and popularity. Before you get your Yellow Lab, or if you already have your puppy, here are a few things to consider in caring for them:

There are different kinds of Yellow Labs? Yes there are! If you are looking for something in particular it will be best for you to research online and in books. If you research online, you can find different breeders and you will be provided with pictures that will help you understand the differences in Labs.

Probably the most popular variety of Yellow Lab is the English variety. Shorter and stockier, they often have a broad head and a shorter nose and are among the more beautiful Labs. The second variety is the average backyard breeder Lab. While you can get an "average" puppy from a reputable breeder, remember that often these breeders don't breed for size or look, but rather for temperament, which is never a bad thing. Lastly, in your search you may find a variety called the pointing Yellow Lab. If you are an avid bird hunter, this dog might be your best choice. Labs are known as flushing dogs, but these Yellow Labs are being bred to instinctively point. They are often taller and skinnier with a thin, lanky head, bred to look and move more like a setter. These pointing Yellow Labs will also take a little more out of your pocket, generally costing a minimum of $1000!

Once you're comfortable selecting your Yellow Lab, acquaint yourself with rules of basic care.
Feeding your Yellow Lab is not a hard task. They thrive on just about any healthy dry dog food. It is always a good idea to consult your vet about what foods might be good for your particular dog. Canned foods are fine about once a week. Be warned, however: Labs gain weight very easily! Notorious for raiding garbage cans when owners are not home, they aren't known for being finicky eaters! So be cautious of the table scraps you feed your Yellow Lab, unless you want to turn him into a Yellow coffee table.
It is best to start training your Yellow Lab from the time she is a small puppy. Labradors are a very responsive breed; with a little bit of commitment from you, the owner, they will become the dogs of your dreams -- friendly, healthy and dutiful. Yellow Labs are blessed with a natural desire to please their owners, so make sure you let them know, starting when they are puppies, how much you appreciate their good behavior.
It is never a bad idea, however, to enroll yourself and your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class, where you'll learn how to train and interact with your puppy. Your puppy will learn proper ways to interact with other dogs and people.
Labs are happier when they are at play. Active and playful, Labs' tendency to gain weight can be prevented through regular exercise. Your Yellow Lab would love to be walked every day, but if this does not fit into your schedule, try to play as often as you can. Yellow Labs love a game of fetch to release pent-up energy. If you have the resources, consider swimming as a good option for Yellow Labs, who famously love the water.
Yellow Labs are healthy dogs and generally will live long lives of 10 to 14 years. Regular veterinary check-ups are a must, as with any dog. Labs do tend to develop dry skin, which can be treated with special shampoos and a bath about every other week. If dry skin poses a particularly chronic problem for your dog, consult your vet for help.
Labs can become arthritic in old age. Try to make sure they are always comfortable and enjoy proper nutrition and exercise throughout life. Medications for pain can be purchased from your vet.

Lastly, Yellow Labs get dirty ears! Solving the problem requires little effort; cleaning solution and q-tips are readily available for purchase. If you are not comfortable cleaning his ears, seek the instruction of your vet before cleaning.
When acquiring a large dog, it's always important to consider whether you plan to keep her outside or indoors. Labs are very versatile dogs. While not all large breeds of dog will do well outside, a Lab will. These dogs are equipped with a very thick, dense coat meant for swimming in cold water. Consequently, they withstand the cold well, as long as you observe the proper housing precaution.
Labs require a large enough dog house, where they can escape any and all breezes. Provide your dog with bedding such as straw, hay, and dog beds or blankets. These should always be kept fresh. If snow is common in your area, ensure that your dog always has fresh water that isn't frozen. Heated water dishes prevent the water from freezing and can be found at any pet supply store. It is recommended that any outdoor dog live in a pen rather than on a chain; your dog can become tangled on a chain, or even strangle herself.

Despite the fact that Labs can live outdoors, they make great indoor pets as well if you'll permit a little (or a lot) of shedding. They love sleeping in bed with you and are easily house-trained!