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A particular colour variation of the English Lab retriever is known as an English black Labrador.
The English Labrador and the American Labrador are of the same breed, however there are some significant differences between them.
Due to the fact that four out of nine possible gene pairings lead to a black coat, black Labs are really the most prevalent colour.
Should you bring home an English black labrador you find for sale or adoption?
If the correct kind of pet owner is chosen, these dogs make wonderful pets.
Vital Records
Species: purebred
Weight: 55 to 80 lbs.
21.5 to 24.5 inches tall
Coat: High-shedding black with some yellow and chocolate variants.
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
High level of intelligence and trainability
Friendly and loving disposition
Energy Level: High Breeding History
Although Labrador retrievers are now available in both English and American varieties, they were originally bred in England and Wales as retriever rifle dogs.
But because they were developed from imported Canadian stock, they were given the Labrador region’s name.
Even in the early 1800s, when Labradors first began to be bred, black Labradors were more common than any other colour.Continue reading to see why and
Make a decision regarding if they are the ideal new puppy to bring into your home.
As an established breed for guide dogs, labradors are frequently seen as working dogs.
Yellow, brown, or black are the three colours available for Labrador retrievers.
Naturally, English black Labs are usually black.
With four out of every nine puppies being born black on average, this is the most frequent colour for Labrador retrievers.
Of course, if a reputable Lab Retriever breeder desired it, they could match their sire and dam to have an exclusively black litter. An all-yellow or all-chocolate litter would be similar.
Okay, so we all know that Labs come in three colours. But did you know that Labrador can also be “brindle” or “black and tan” coloured? This is caused by a recessive gene, which both parents must pass on.
We had many black and tan puppies when I first began raising guide dog pups, notably Escort and Eagan.
The ideal canine companion, Labrador retrievers have a wonderful temperament that combines intelligence and friendliness.
Labs are among the breeds thought to be the most intellectual, and they also have a strong desire to please. Since they are easily motivated by reward, they are very trainable.
With the use of positive reinforcement, they might only need to hear a directive multiple times in order to comprehend what is expected of them.
Additionally, they exhibit an intense work ethic and have the ability to focus for long stretches of time.
Additionally, they are amiable dogs by nature and form strong bonds with their families.
Stetson, an English black Labrador Retriever, was my initial guide dog puppy in training.
Compared to other prominent working dog breeds like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers, they appear to pick up the necessary skills more quickly.
Notably, Labradors may be trained to carry out extremely difficult jobs.
One lab, named Endal, was taught how to help a wheelchair-bound person get into the recovery position, wrap him with a blanket, and dial an emergency number.
Appearance
Medium-to-large canines are categorised as labrador retrievers.
The males are slightly larger and measure twenty-five to 24.5 inches in height, weighing 65 to 80 pounds, compared to the females, who stand between 21.5 and 23.5 inches tall and weigh 55 to 70 lbs.
The short, dense triple coat of a labrador retriever repels water and sheds a lot.
The dog has a large head, rectangular ears, and a strong, muscular body.
English Labs tend to have stockier builds and more square heads, whilst American Labs have leaner frames and thinner faces, making them easy to distinguish from one another.
While they are devoted to their family, unlike some dogs, they lack the urge to bark at people or animals who are not a part of it.
This means that because they are more inclined to make friends with someone new than to raise the alarm, Labrador retrievers often make bad guard dogs.
Even so, they adapt well to homes with children and other pets, especially if they receive the right socialisation from an early age.
Your Lab won’t like missing out on family events though because they adore their families so much!
On the couch and in the bed, they will want to be in the home with their families.
Additionally, they struggle if they are frequently left alone for protracted periods of time.
If left alone too frequently, they risk developing damaging separation anxiety since they require to be around people.
Exercise
Because they are active dogs, labrador retrievers require a lot of exercise to keep healthy and content.
Despite the fact that they should never be “outside only” pets, they should have a private outdoor area where they may let off steam.
QUICK TIP: While having an outdoor space is advised, it is not absolutely necessary. An outdoor space is not required if you’re willing to walk and train your dog frequently.
They also require at least a half-hour of daily, more demanding exercise. This entails playing an activity such as of catch or tugs of war while running as opposed to walking.
But keep in mind that while adult Labs require a lot of activity, it is simple to overwork these dogs as puppies.
Joint deformity brought on by this may cause discomfort in later life. Puppies should only exercise for five minutes a day for the first month of their lives.
This indicates that a four-month-old dog only need 20 minutes, increasing to 30 minutes at six months.
Active families who can go climbing with them are beloved by adult English Labs. Additionally, labs enjoy swimming and being in the water.
Don’t forget to pack their canine life jacket if you’re going to take them out on a boat.
Care And Health
Although labrador retrievers are typically healthy dogs, they are susceptible to several health issues, like other purebred dogs.
This is the end outcome of generations’ worth of inbreeding to create the breed.
Even while breeders now work to avoid inbreeding, some diseases are already well-established in the gene pool.
When they are young, Labradors are particularly prone to over-exerting themselves, which increases their risk of developing hip and elbow dysplasia.
They may also be more prone to eye diseases including cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
