Labradors

This is what you need to know about the adult labrador!

Size

There has been some speculation about the size classification of labradors, whether they should be classified as large or extra-large dogs. Male labradors, when fully grown, can range between 57 and 62 cm in height, while female labradors, when fully grown, range between 55 and 60 cm in height. Labradors grow until at least 12 months but are only considered fully grown once they are two years old. When you compare labradors to dogs such as great danes or st bernards, it becomes apparent that labradors are indeed a large breed of dog but not an extra large breed of dog. 

Weight

Fully grown male labradors have a weight ranging between 29 & 36 kilograms on average, whereas female fully grown labradors have a weight ranging between 25 and 32 kilograms on average. The heaviest labrador on record was an astonishing 84 kilograms, almost triple the average weight of a fully-grown male labrador.

This overly serious labrador was raised on fast food and got little to no exercise. When a vet checked him out, it was discovered that he had high blood pressure brought on by his weight. May this be a cautionary tale to anyone who feeds their dogs just anything. It can have horrible detrimental effects on their health.  

Coat & Color

There are labradors in multiple colors, black, yellow, and brown, often referred to as chocolate. A labrador’s coat is thick and rough, although their coats are soft and fluffy when well-cared for, making them the ideal cuddle buddies. 

The temperament of Adult Labrador

Labradors are one of the more popular dog breeds. They are known for being excellent family dogs. They are energetic and extroverted, and they love just about everyone they meet. Labradors are people pleasers who want to work with people and are knowledgeable and fast learners. They are easy to train, and they follow your vibe.

If you go jogging every day, they will run with you; if you spend your time vegging in front of the television every day, then they will chill with you every day and laze around, which can potentially be harmful to them, causing them to gain weight due to lack of exercise.

They are very protective of their families, but if you bring someone into your home that they see you are comfortable with, chances are they will love on that person too, but if they sense danger, they will stand their ground to protect their family.

It is also important to remember their retriever traits which, if they are not stimulated, may become a problem with them destroying your furniture, an easy way to avoid them damaging your table is always to have a toy you can give them to carry around that way their mouth is already busy. They can’t destroy furniture or chew things they’re not supposed to. Labradors have a lot of energy.

They match your vibe; however, if they are not allowed to release some of their power by going on walks or hikes or going on a jog with you, they may turn to other less appealing ways to rid themselves of their energy which once again may include destroying your furniture or favorite shoes.

One can not blame the dog for destructive behavior if they are not receiving the care they need and deserve. You could tap into their true potential by training them to use their retrieving instinct to make your life easier.

You could teach your labrador to fetch your newspaper or your slippers. There have been some cases where the labrador has been trained to open the fridge and bring beer for their owners. Labradors are well-behaved when appropriately prepared and very intuitive, which is why labradors are used as seeing-eye dogs and other support dogs. Some Labradors are also trained as therapy dogs and are very effective in their ‘jobs’; labradors are very versatile in their skills to assist humans. 

The Lifespan of Adult Labrador

Labradors have a life span of between 10 and twelve years, which can be shortened significantly by lack of exercise and a bad diet. The oldest labrador who ever lived reached an astonishing age of 29 years. Another labrador who made it into the Guinness book of world records lived to be 28 years old. Sadly the most senior labrador who lived till 29’s paperwork was lost and did not make it into the Guinness book of world records. 

Shedding of Adult Labrador

Labradors have a double coat, and because of this, they shed all year long; they shed more during the changing of seasons when it changes from one extreme of weather to the other. Suppose your labrador is shedding an extensive amount, and it’s not a change of season. In that case, it is not a bad idea to book an appointment at the vet as there may be some underlying health issue that needs to be addressed, like an allergy or a skin infection.

There are ways to help reduce shedding, but unfortunately, it can not be eliminated. Regular brushing of your labrador will help minimize shedding. Once a week is a decent amount to brush your pet; although more is better, touching your labrador daily would be ideal.

Health of Adult Labrador

It is essential to take your cute labrador to the vet for checkups regularly, at least once a year. As in many large dog breeds, labradors are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia. It may be present since they are puppies, or it may present itself when you have an adult labrador. It can be easily missed as symptoms don’t always show up until the dogs are much older; think of it as a sports injury.

As humans, we may get a minor sports injury in high school and think nothing of it, and then when we’re in our thirties or forty’s, suddenly, our knee starts acting up when it’s going to rain. So don’t feel bad if you miss that your puppy has hip dysplasia, as it isn’t always obvious but keep a look out for the warning signs and get them to a vet asap if you notice any of the symptoms.

Some of the characteristics may include preferring one of their back legs and possibly limping, and they could have some stiffness or numbness in their back legs; they could also have difficulty getting up from a nap. If you notice any of these symptoms, get your lab to a vet just in case, rather than safe than sorry always. 

Best Diet of Adult Labrador

Labradors should have a high-quality protein-filled diet. When they are puppies, they require more protein than when they are adults. The most nutritious diet for a labrador may include some fruit. Some great fruits you can feed your labrador are strawberries and seedless watermelons. Since watermelon is mainly made up of water, it is a great option to prevent dehydration in your labrador.

You can feed your labrador half a strawberry per feeding session and one slice of the seedless watermelon at a time. Your labrador can also eat apples, carrots, and peas, and you can feed your labrador meat like chicken or beef, lamb, and even pork. Your labrador needs a balanced diet, including protein, carbohydrates, fat, minerals and vitamins, and water.