How to care for a Labrador?

Playful and cute Labradors are known to many people - it is simply impossible to ignore them on the street. The kind look of this dog and its friendly character made the breed very popular. If you decide to make such a friend, you should know how to properly care for him. And we will answer most of the questions about the content of the Labrador.

Labrador is a friend dog, a companion dog. The breed is universal, because these dogs can be used as guides, helpers in the hunt, and even nannies. Surprisingly, the characteristics of these dogs are so diverse and include so many dog ​​"professions."

Ideal for living in a large family with children. They have a great time in the company of people and love everyone indiscriminately. So, perhaps, the only minus that can be found in the description of the breed is their inability to distinguish the enemy from each other. Labradors will not work as a watchman, unless they lick to the death of a creeped robber.

These dogs love to swim. Nature rewarded them with the special structure of their 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 the tail of an otter. Labradors twist them in the water and thereby change direction. Dog hair is also adapted to water procedures - it is thick and layered, and the bottom layer is covered with fat.

The back of the body of the labradors has a reinforced muscle corset, which allows them to jump high and far. The recorded record of the Labrador’s jump is 8 meters in length.However, this advantage is overshadowed by possible joint problems as the dogs age.

Carrying something in the mouth, Labradors do not damage it, clenching their teeth. Such a dog feature is called a “soft mouth”. This is very important for future owners with small children. Labradors are distinguished by fairly good health, they are not afraid of the cold. They have an excellent memory, quickly give in to training, and try to take a leading position in the host family.

Many owners of private homes are worried about where to keep a Labrador. It is unpleasant if the dog will freeze in winter or suffer from 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 a good upbringing and training.

Indoors, the dog must have its own corner, where its litter and a couple of toys lie. The place for rest should be located away from batteries and drafts so that the Labrador is comfortable and warm, but not hot.

For adult dogs, several layers of cloth wrapped in a blanket, a piece of thick carpet or a flat pillow can be used as bedding. If there is a removable cover on the litter, 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 courtyard can be a real pleasure for a dog if you give it room for games and a comfortable place to relax. Equipped aviary will help the dog to behave actively, which means that the Labrador will not be bored. Ideally, if the aviary is located on a lawn with grass, and no more than half of this place will be lit in the bright sun in the summer.

In the enclosure, you must leave a bowl of clean water, as a constantly frolicing dog should be able to quench his thirst at any time. Food is best brought in according to the selected mode.

An equipped booth will help protect the dog from the sun and rain, as well as warm it on cold nights. Inside the booth, there should be warm upholstery, and the location of the house must be thought out in advance: a constant shadow or scorching rays of the sun is not the best option.

And for the time of severe cold it is better to give Labrador Overnight stay in the household premises.

Labradors are pretty unpretentious dogs. Special care should be done only for the puppy, as it is prone to various diseases and problems. Dogs of this breed are very clean, therefore, care for them at home is not difficult. Let us consider in more detail 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 the healthy lifestyle of these dogs. To meet their needs, you need to walk with them at least twice a day for an hour.

A leisurely walk on a leash through the park is not what Labradors need. 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 for him.

If there is no possibility of walking in the company of another dog, then the owner himself must assume the role of an active companion. The games “bring a stick”, catching a flying saucer or a ball are ideal for a good-natured dog.But the best entertainment for a Labrador is swimming in the nearest body of water, which best affects his health and nervous system.

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

A separate article on caring for this wonderful pet is Labrador Hygiene. Do not let the dog’s state drift so that the Labrador remains healthy and active throughout his life.

The coat of this breed is quite thick, therefore it must be combed at least every other day. Puppies should do this every day. You should not bathe the dog too often with shampoos. As it becomes soiled, 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 best to carry out the claw trimming procedure at the veterinarian to see how to do it correctly and safely. A Labrador needs to brush his teeth about once a week with a special dog toothbrush. Ears are a weak point of labradors, so they should be regularly cleaned with hydrogen peroxide or a solution of chlorhexidine with a cotton swab.

Special care should be given to puppies.. Their paws must be waxed before walking, as they are still very tender and prone to injuries. Cubs' eyes also require additional daily cleaning. Wipe them with a cotton swab dipped in a special liquid.

Labrador is a rather large dog, so feeding such a pet will cost a pretty penny. To give the pet everything you need for life, you need to include in its diet all the components in the correct proportions. Namely: protein - 15 g per 1 kg of weight, carbohydrates - 5 g per kg of weight, and fat - 2 grams. The optimal composition of BJU is the key to the health of your dog, and it is especially important to follow the correct diet for puppies.

Here are some foods that are ideal for every day to power a Labrador.

• Meat. Non-fat varieties are suitable: chicken, beef, turkey. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to give offal: liver, udder, scar. Sometimes breeders give meat raw, but to exclude infections and parasites, it is better to cook it all the same.
• Fish. An indispensable product, and is suitable as a source of easily digestible protein and fatty acids. Only boneless marine fish should be given and boiled well before feeding.
• Croup. Complex carbohydrates in the form of cereals should enter the dog's body. Buckwheat and rice will become the optimal cereals for the Labrador, as allergies can occur to oatmeal. In addition to these products, rye bread crackers can be used as a source of carbohydrates.
• Dairy products and eggs. Every day, Labradors are given chicken yolk, which is mixed with porridge and meat. From dairy products, it is better to give preference to kefir, cottage cheese, cheese and sour cream.
• Vegetables. As a vitamin supplement to the diet, it is necessary to give various vegetables. They improve the digestive tract. Beets, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots and cabbage are ideal. They are boiled, chopped and given with a spoon 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 feeds can provide all the needs of the body of an active dog.

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

These dogs are very fond of eating and eating whatever they are offered.However, it is necessary to limit the consumption by the dog of such foods: flour and sweet foods, fried fatty foods, smoked meats, spices, bones and rotten foods.

Expert advice will help Labrador Owners avoid mistakes in keeping dogs.