The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the entire world. Who doesn't know of this breed? However, there are probably a few things you didn't know about the Labrador Retriever.
In this article, we will go over some of the characteristics of the breed, but also historical and unusual facts about the Labrador Retriever. This dog breed is loved by all and is incredibly popular.
1. Ancestor of the "St. John's water dog"
The first thing that you probably didn't know about Labradors is the fact that they were introduced during the 19th century in England, but that their ancestor, the St. John's water dog, came from the island of Newfoundland in Canada. When these Newfoundland dogs were brought to England, the count of Malmesbury (a small town in Wiltshire) gave them the name "Labrador".
Following this, crosses were made with British hunting dog breeds and the breed was recognized in 1903 by the English Kennel Club.
Since then, the Labrador Retriever has been one of the most popular breeds around the world and is still very loved in England.
2. The Labrador Retriever is a water dog
According to legend, the Labrador Retriever is believed to be a cross between a Newfoundland dog and an otter. This would explain why the Labrador Retriever is so comfortable in the water. Similar to the otter, these dogs have the ideal coat for aquatic environments, webbed paws, and know how to use their tail as a rudder to steer themselves in the water.
3. Labradors are suitable assistance dogs
It is well known that the Labrador Retriever is often chosen in many circles as an aid or assistance dog. They are often partners of policemen, firemen, or even guide dogs for the visually impaired. Their intelligence makes them one of the dogs that is the most chosen as our right-hand men.
4. These dogs are easy to train and very sociable
The Labrador is naturally playful and available. They are always ready for a training session or a moment of fun with the family. It is in this sense that they are the ideal dog for a family. They love learning new commands. Playtime and training sessions reinforces their bond with their owners.
Even through the Labrador is very gentle, it is important to educate them rigorously from a young age to live in perfect harmony with you. Also, you should not forget that these are big dogs. With the nature of their developed muscles, it is important to be careful with their behavior with small children. While they love children, Labradors are not aware of their strength.
5. Labrador Retrievers only have three different coat colors
Labradors come in three colors: black, brown, and yellow (ranging from cream to ginger). The coat of Labradors is short but rather dense and coarse. Their undercoat is thick and resistant, which gives them protection against the weather and aquatic environments.
6. Their favorite game? Fetch!
Did you know that the "Retriever" aspect of their name comes from their ability to bring things back? A retriever is a dog that is trained to find, search, follow, and bring back something. These are usually game, birds or fish when hunting. It is in this sense that the Labrador is very inclined to run after any object and bring it back.
7. Labradors are foodies
While this dog has many qualities, there is only one downside to having a Labrador. These dogs are never full. Labradors have a tendency to eat everything under their nose. Their notable fondness for food can make them prone to obesity. That's why it's important to train your dog to eat at fixed times from a very young age (2 meals/day after six months, taking care not to exceed its daily ration). In addition, they need to learn the command "Leave it" when they try to eat something that is not for them. Lastly, avoid giving your dog your tidbits when at the table and choose healthy treats when your train your dog so that they do not get used to eating at all parts of the day.
8. A popular dog among presidents
Many presidents around the world chose Labradors as their pet. For example, the French president Emmanuel Macron adopted one named Nemo. He's an adorable Labrador-Griffon cross. In addition, another French president, Jacques Chirac, had a Labrador named Maskou. There was also Samba, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing's dog, and Baltique, who was François Mitterand's dog. Outside of France, the Labrador was adopted by other presidents. For example, Buddy was Bill Clinton's dog and Koni was Vladimir Putin's dog.
9. All three colors can be born from the same litter
During fecundation, the male and female Labrador each contribute two genes (E, B, e and b). This generates 16 different color possiblities for the coat. It turns out that in the same litter, we can find puppies with the three coat colors of the Labrador. For example, if a Labrador with the EeBb gene is coupled with a Labrador with the same genes, it is possible for the three colors to be represented. This is also the case for a Labrador with the gene eeBb being coupled with a dog having the genes EEbb.
10. Labrador Retrievers can detect cancer
The last thing that you probably don't know about Labradors is that they are able to detect numerous diseases, just like other dogs. Many testimonials have been reported explaining how Labradors were able to detect cancer in their owners. These dogs have a well-developed olfactory capacity, which has led to numerous screening tests. It is now certain that dogs can perceive VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are uniquely produced by cancer cells.
Check out this article: Labrador Retriever: the AKC Most Popular Dog Breed
Did you know any of these things about Labrador Retrievers?
