The Labrador is a medium-sized British retriever dog that is intelligent, energetic, and playful. This breed is among the most popular in the world and is kept as both companion animals and working dogs (guide dogs and assistance dogs, as well as police and military dogs). Labradors have a muscular body and a short, dense, and waterproof coat. They come mainly in 3 colours: black, yellow and chocolate (or liver).
Because of their origin as hunting and retriever dogs, especially for waterfowling, they’re exceptional swimmers, with a coat that keeps them from being cold in the water in the winter, webbed paws, and a somewhat broad, 'otter' tail. They have a mild, loving temperament that is great for first-time pet parents and families with children.
The history of the Labrador breed
The Labrador breed originated in the 1830s, when St. John's water dogs from Newfoundland were bred with British hunting dogs to create a retriever breed. The patrons of these early Labradors were the 10th Earl of Home, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Lord John Scott. The 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch, and the 12th Earl of Home came together in the 1880s and established the Labrador Retriever breed.
Initially, the Labrador was bred to be used as a gundog or hunting dog in both land and water, since they came from a line of Newfoundland fishing dogs. The 2nd Earl of Malmesbury used them for their effectiveness in waterfowling. Because they possess a soft mouth, they were able to retrieve game and water birds without damaging them.
Nowadays, Labrador Retrievers are kept as companion dogs. They are also highly valued as guide dogs or assistance dogs because of their mild nature, adaptability, and self-direction. Labradors are adept at navigating waters, so they are also trained as canine lifeguards. Apart from this, Labradors are widely used in the military and police units for search and rescue as well as bomb detection because of their exceptional sense of smell, calmness, and trainability.
Common health problems of Labradors
Liver issues:
Labradors are predisposed to a number of liver issues: chronic hepatitis, reactive hepatitis, nodular hyperplasia, and gallbladder disease. One of the major reasons for this is the accumulation of copper in the liver and in the blood due to a genetic defect in the metabolism of copper. The signs of early liver disease are non-specific, and by the time later-stage signs emerge, the body may have sustained irreparable damage. So, taking care of a Labrador’s liver from the get-go is very important.
Hip and elbow dysplasia:
The breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, a set of inherited orthopaedic disorders that may lead to degenerative joint disease and arthritis. This may be caused by a misalignment in the ball and socket of the joints, abnormal growth of bones, etc., so preventive and management care are crucial. Extra precaution should be taken during exercising, and a diet that supports bone and joint health is also necessary.
Eye diseases:
The Labrador breed is very likely to develop issues with their eyesight, such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy, progressive rod-cone degeneration, and retinal dysplasia. The retinal tissue is very sensitive in Labradors and prone to degeneration. While a lot of it is genetic, care must be taken to manage the conditions, especially through diet.
Ear infections:
Because of their floppy ears that cover the ear canal, Labradors are prone to wax buildup and infection in their ears. They’re also good swimmers, so infections may also be caused by water getting into their ears. This is why frequent checks and ear cleanings must be done for Labradors.
Obesity:
Labradors are very fond of eating and can, at times, overeat. This makes them extremely prone to being overweight. As companion animals that are well-suited to cities and first-time pet parents, sometimes they do not get enough exercise, which leads to weight gain. Because of their high trainability, frequent treats may also become an issue. Genetically, too, they are predisposed to gaining weight.
What are the nutritional needs of Labradors?
Labradors are prone to a lot of diseases that may be prevented or managed via a balanced diet. Therefore, what we feed to these pups becomes crucial. Because of their food-oriented nature, it is up to the pet parents to ensure that they’re getting the right amount of food and that their diet is well-balanced in order to combat their health issues:
High-protein food: Labradors are large, active dogs, so protein must be a big chunk of their diet. Lean meat like chicken breast, fish, turkey, lamb tenderloin, etc., is best for Labs, as they are very prone to gaining weight. What makes a high-protein diet even more crucial is that Labs are predisposed to centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse, and a host of other muscle issues, so maintaining a balanced protein intake is even more necessary for them. About 20-30% of their meal should be protein.
Omega fatty acids: The Labrador coat is very complex and sensitive. Being short and waterproof, it is slightly oily and needs a generous source of oils for maintenance. This comes from a diet that is balanced with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, moderation is advised because of the weight-gain issues. Fatty fish, eggs, fish oil, etc. are great additions to their food to keep their skin and coat healthy.
High-fibre, low-calorie carbs: Labradors don’t need carbs, much like other dogs. However, complex carbs from natural ingredients like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, peas, rice, oats, etc., which provide energy and fibre, are good for them in order to give them fuel and to help in digestion and bowel movement.
Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals are extremely important in a Labrador’s diet to address their various health issues and to keep them healthy. Vitamins A, D, K and E and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium are essential for vision health, bone health and neuromuscular health.
Water: Water often gets overlooked as a major component of a balanced meal, but it is probably the most crucial. Just like us, the majority of a dog’s body is also made up of water, so it helps in digestion, absorption of nutrients, excretion of toxins and much more. Therefore, ensuring that your Lab gets an adequate amount of hydration with water, bone broths, wet food, etc. is crucial.
How to keep your Labrador at a healthy weight?
The average weight of a healthy male Lab is 29–36 kg, and a healthy female Lab is 25–32 kg. But Labradors are certified foodies. This makes it very hard to keep them at a healthy weight. Plus, they are also genetically predisposed to weight gain, which makes the job doubly difficult. However, most of a Labrador’s health issues will get exacerbated if they’re not kept at a healthy weight: fat deposition in the liver weakens it, extra weight on the bones and joints causes faster degeneration, obesity may lead to diabetes that may worsen their eye issues, excess sugar or starch in the body may make the body more prone to infections, and an unhealthy weight generally affects all parts of the body.
This is why food that is high in protein, low in carbs, high in fibre, and easily digestible is the key to keeping a Lab healthy and thriving. Apart from this, portion control is also very important, since Labradors tend to overeat. Monitoring the amount of food they are eating, keeping them away from table scraps, and being careful of how many treats they are getting, especially when training them, can help in keeping your Labrador at a healthy weight.
Why is it important to feed 100% natural, zero-preservative food to your Labrador?
The major problem for Labradors is that they gain weight very quickly. Starch-filled, ultra-processed kibble just makes this worse. This is why feeding your Labrador a balanced, 100% natural diet is extremely important. 100% natural food contains ingredients that are highly digestible and that are packed with nutritional benefits. It contains no fillers or bulking agents that may cause sensitivities, allergies, or gut issues. Because there are zero fillers, you also get exactly the amount of nutrients that you’re promised, which prevents deficiencies.
Preservatives are just chemicals added for shelf life that go into the bodies of our dogs and cause havoc. Many have even been linked to cancer. Therefore, zero-preservative food should be the norm when it comes to our dogs in order to protect against sensitivities and long-term chronic diseases.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides likeCan Dogs Eat Apples?,Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?,Dog Food for Weight Loss,Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs,Home Remedies to cure tick fever,Finding Good Dog Food in India,How many times should I feed my dog?,Things you should do to keep your pet healthy,Types of Dog Food,How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion,Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent,What Are Kibbles for Dogs and How Are They Harmful? and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/labrador-retriever
https://www.purina.co.uk/find-a-pet/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever
http://www.kodalihartlabradors.com/care-health/diet-and-nutrition
https://wagwalking.com/wellness/7-common-health-problems-in-labs
