If you are looking for a beautiful, family friendly dog that is good for first time dog owners, you should consider getting yourself an English Labrador pup.
What is the English Labrador? The English Labrador is one of the two breeds of Labrador Retrievers. It is a lovely dog with a great temperament and amazing looks. The Labrador Retriever has held the top position in the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breed list since 1991.
So, what do you need to know before adding America’s most popular dog into your family? In this article, we will take a look at all the important information you need to know about the English Lab, including their temperament, their grooming requirements, their exercise requirements, their nutritional requirements, their health, and so on. Before diving into all that, however, let’s first take a look at the size and appearance of the English lab.
The size of a dog will have an influence on the kind of care and attention the dog requires, so this is definitely something you want to know before adding a new four legged member to your family. So, what is the average weight for an English Lab?
The English Lab is a relatively large dog breed. The average male English Lab has a height of 22.5 to 24.5 inches, while the average female will stand between 21.5 to 23.5 inches.
The English Lab is also generally heavier than the American Lab, with the average male weighing between 65 and 80 lbs. Females are slightly smaller and will weigh between 55 and 70 lbs.
The English Lab has a very unique look that most people will recognize easily.
The pooch is characterized by a handsome, well chiseled head, large, kind eyes, folded ears, a strong neck, a deep and broad chest, an athletic body, powerful and muscled legs, and a thick and heavy tail that points downwards.
Having originated from the freezing climates of Newfoundland, and with a history of having been a fisherman’s companion, the English Lab developed a thick, waterproof double coat. This is one of their key differences with the American Lab, who usually have a single coat.
The coat of your English Lab will have a solid color, usually black, yellow, or chocolate. If you notice an English Lab with a bi or tri-colored coat, there is a high chance the dog is a hybrid.
Without being affected by any health conditions, an English Lab will live for about 10 to 12 years.
While the English Lab is a generally healthy pooch, it is still prone to some genetic health conditions that might affect its lifespan, so you need to make sure the canine you are buying or adopting comes from healthy parents.
The lifespan of your English Lab will also depend on other factors, such as their diet, the level of healthcare provided, and the general level of care you provide your furry friend with.
The average English Lab will have about 6 to 8 puppies in one litter. However, it is not uncommon for some to have as few as three, and others as many as 12, or even 14. It will depend majorly on the genetics of the parents.
Moreover, first litters tend to be smaller than subsequent litters for a lot of English Labs.
There are some health conditions that the Labrador Retriever breed is predisposed to. These include joint problems, including elbow and hip dysplasia, which result in pain and discomfort during movement, patella luxation, which affects the kneecap, eye problems such as cataracts, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, and heart problems.
Fortunately, many of these health conditions can be treated or managed with medication. Others like elbow and hip dysplasia and patella luxation might require surgery and therapy.
English Labs have a huge appetite, and therefore, you need to be very careful when it comes to feeding them, otherwise your canine buddy could easily become obese. You should give your pooch carefully measured food portions, ensure they get enough exercise, and avoid giving them excessive treats.
It is recommended that you feed your English Lab on a diet with a lot of protein content, such as Pet Plate’s Beef Barkin. Pet Plate’s feeds are prepared in a USDA kitchen and are made using all-natural ingredients. In addition, Pet Plate will help you determine the optimum portions for your dear fido.
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Aside from giving your doggie a high protein diet, you should also supplement the feeds with multivitamin supplements to keep your doggie’s health and immunity high.
Supervise your English Lab as they are feeding and make sure they don’t gobble down food too fast, since this can lead to bloat, which is a serious condition in dogs.
English Labs are big and high energy dogs, and therefore, they need exercise to get by daily. But how much exercise do English Labs need?
Ideally, you should make sure that your four legged buddy gets about an hour of exercise every day. This can either be from walking, hikes, swimming, or general play, especially if you have a big yard. In this case, investing in interactive dog toys, such as iFetch interactive ball launchers for dogs, can help you keep your furry friend active while having tons of fun.
English Labs are very gentle dogs with an amazing temperament. They are among the least aggressive dog breeds you will come across, despite their size.
Yes, English Labs are very intelligent according to Stanley Coren’s list of intelligent dogs. This makes them very easy to train. However, they can be a bit stubborn and excitable, so you also need to exercise some patience when training them.
During training, opt for positive reinforcements like praises and treats, rather than negative reinforcements, such as punishment. Punishment can sever the bond between you and your pooch and lead to behavioral problems.
Yes. English Labs make good family dogs. They are gentle and loving, and will quickly make friends with everyone in the family.
They are also very loyal, and will make great playmates for your kids. Due to their size and high energy, however, English Labs are not very suitable for families with very small children, because they can easily knock over a small child.
All Labrador Retrievers were originally reared as hunting dogs, and therefore, your English Lab can work as a hunting companion. That said, however, American Labs are better suited for hunting. They have higher energy levels and lean bodies that are better suited for hunts.
English Labs are not generally known for barking. Like any other dog breed, however, they will bark to vocalize their frustration when they are bored, lonely, or when they have lots of pent up energy.
Before buying or adopting a dog, you will want to know how much they shed, especially if you’re allergic. So, how much do English Labs shed? Are English Labs hypoallergenic?
Due to the double coat, English Labs are heavy shedders. They are not hypoallergenic, and are therefore not suitable if you have pet allergies.
Since they are heavy shedders, you’ll need to regularly groom your English Lab to get rid of loose hairs. For this, you’ll need a good deshedding tool, such as the Furminator Undercoat Tool. The Furminator works well with big dogs, and has a hair release button that makes everything a lot easier.
To keep your floors and carpet clean, you will also need a good vacuum cleaner, such as the iRobot Roomba i3+. You’ll appreciate the fact that this vacuum cleaner has been purposely designed to clean pet hairs, and can be controlled via Alexa.
English Labs have a sensitive skin, and therefore, bathing should not be done too frequently. Unless your dear fido has gotten particularly dirty or started to smell, bathing them once every two months is enough.
To avoid damaging your doggie’s sensitive skin during baths, you should use a high quality shampoo, such as Paws and Pals 5-in-1 Oatmeal dog shampoo.
This shampoo is made using anti-itch components and will keep your doggie’s skin moisturized and conditioned. Make sure to completely dry your doggie’s skin after a bath.
Apart from brushing and bathing your pooch, you should also regularly brush their teeth, clip their nails, and clean their ears.
Is American Or English Labrador Better? Both the English and American Labrador are great dogs. That said, if you want a dog to keep purely as a pet, you’re better off with an English Lab. If, on the other hand, you want a working dog, or a dog to accompany you on hunts, the American Lab is the better choice.
Can English Labs Swim? Yes, Labrador Retrievers were originally companions to fishermen and duck hunters in Newfoundland, and therefore, all Labrador Retrievers are great swimmers. Your English Labrador Retriever will be comfortable in water even when they are still a puppy, and will enjoy every minute that you allow them to spend in water.
How Much Do English Labs Cost? An English Labrador Retriever puppy will cost you about $800 to $1,200. The price will usually depend on age, the breeder. When buying an English Lab, don’t forget about the other costs that will go into caring for your furry friend, such as food expenses, healthcare expenses, pet insurance, and so on.
Pete Decker is the Lead Editor at The Goody Pet. He is a passionate wildlife educator and loves to share his experiences on pets. During his free time, you can find him cozying around his 2 adorable Labradors (Tobi & Kobi).
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