Interest in dogs performing a variety of roles remains at a high level. Particularly popular are breeds endowed with hunting and guard instincts. The value of such dogs increases if they are used as rescuers, guide dogs, and companions.
The black Labrador meets all these criteria. It is believed that the first representatives of this breed appeared in eastern Canada on the island of Newfoundland. But other colors have also been established as a modern standard.
Genetics of the Labrador breed
The English Kennel Club in 1903 recognized only the black color of Labradors, whose history began in the 19th century.
In heredity, the shade of the coat plays a priority role, especially when breeding pedigree animals. A combination of genes responsible for this indicator has been identified. This necessitates a thorough study of the pedigree when purchasing puppies. However, experienced dog breeders are confident that this knowledge may not be enough.
The dominant genes are B and E, which give the coat a black tint. Recessive analogues (b and e) are responsible for chocolate and fawn (yellow) colors.
A little history
This is one of the oldest breeds in England, first mentioned in the first half of the 19th century. Experts believe that on one level it belongs to Newfoundlands (small), on the other - to Irish spaniels (water). Poodles, Labradors and setters probably took part in the creation of the breed. For the first time, the curly-coated retriever, a photo of which you can see in this article, was presented at an exhibition in 1860. For almost forty years the breed did not have its own club. It appeared only in 1896. In 1913, the first breed standard was adopted.
In England in the mid-19th century, these dogs were more often kept as pets than as hunting assistants. Nowadays, the curly-haired retriever is a rather rare breed (especially in Russia). It is more common in New Zealand and Australia.
Famous and unusual colors
Labrador retriever, in accordance with the standard, can have one of three coat colors. They are the most famous and popular:
- Black wool suggests a full spread of the resin background. A faint whitish mark in the chest area is allowed. The nose is characterized by a charcoal tone that can lighten in the autumn-winter season. The presence of pigmentation is considered a defect. The eyes of such dogs are brown, sometimes hazel.
- The Labrador's milk chocolate-colored nose is colored similarly to its coat. The iris of the eyes has a greenish tint. A liver-colored coat suggests a brown nose. Dogs with a dark brown color have the same or hazel eyes. The background should be uniform. Only a small black spot on the dog's chest is allowed.
- The fawn color of Labradors has several options: cream, golden, red fox (red, like fox fur). They have a contrasting dark border around the nose, lips, and eyelids. The iris of the eyes is very rich brown.
Unusual color options:
- Dudleys with blue eyes are characterized by light eyelid pigmentation and a pinkish tip to the nose, which is considered a deviation from the standard. Their fur background is creamy, but more often golden.
- The Spotted Labrador does not meet the purity standards of the breed. But thanks to the original decor, such dogs are purchased with the aim of getting a pet.
- Silver (gray) color, also not included in the standard, is in demand. This leads to a rather high price for Labrador puppies, which attract attention with their unusual colors.
- Sometimes there are snow-white animals, which are considered a defective breed. If we exclude the very light fawn tone, then we can say that it is an albino.
What affects color
Labradors remain a mystery to experts. It is quite difficult to guess the future colors of the offspring even if you know their pedigree. The puppy receives a pair of genes. A total of 9 combinations are formed. They determine the tone of a Labrador's coat.
- Pure black color is designated EEBB. With the inclusion of chocolate - EEBb. With fawn - EeBB. With two recessive genes - EeBb.
- Uniform fawn coat color - eeBB. With chocolate - eeBb. With weakened pigmentation - eebb.
- Brown - EEbb. With the fawn gene - Eebb.
In one litter, as a rule, there are puppies whose fur differs in different shades. There are cases where yellow or chocolate cubs are born from two black parents.
The influence of color on the character of a pet
Upon external examination, it may seem that a light, almost white or beige Labrador is more good-natured than a black one. In fact, coat color does not play a significant role, since it does not affect the dog’s temperament and habits.
These animals are distinguished by their intelligence and intelligence. Labradors are charming, which has contributed to the growth of their popularity. Personality is defined as friendly and reliable.
Labrador has a healthy psyche, calmness, and balance, so it often appears in families with children. A patient dog surprises with its lack of aggression; it is ready for games and endures pranks stoically. Without giving preference to anyone, the dog communicates with household members and senses their mood. Quickly finds contact with nearby animals. Alone he gets sad and starts to get bored.
Thanks to their naturally high level of intelligence, Labradors easily master the proposed rules and commands. They are loyal and obedient, so they are used as a rescuer, nanny, guide, and serve in the police. Dogs even help doctors socialize children with autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy.
The Labrador cannot cope only with the role of a bodyguard or watchman. His lack of anger prevents him from attacking anyone.
At home, the pet will always sympathize with the owner if he notices his depressed state. With proper upbringing, the dog becomes an attentive and loyal friend. He likes when everyone is together, so he expresses dissatisfaction when walking someone to school or work. Joyfully welcomes guests, participates in holidays and gatherings. Because of their character, Labradors are called angel dogs.
Training a small puppy eliminates cruelty. Physical punishment or yelling is unacceptable. An intelligent pet quickly understands requirements if rewarded with a kind word or treat. The difficulty lies in the dog’s desire to chew on any objects. But if you remove wires and shoes in a timely manner and gradually instill in him the prohibition, then an adult Labrador will lose the habit of spoiling things.
Snacks and food from the common table are contraindicated for dogs. The menu for dogs uses professional food that has a balanced composition. If the puppy has been accustomed to natural food, then it is prepared only from high-quality approved products.
The base is lean meat - beef, rabbit, turkey, chicken. Porridge, vegetables, herbs, berries, and fruits are included in the diet. Sea fish and eggs are given no more than twice in 7 days.
They note that a girl Labrador is more affectionate. She is very obedient and easily becomes attached to household members. During a walk, he will not run away to explore the territory, so the owner can do without a leash, except during periods of heat.
The male is curious. He needs to explore the surroundings and socialize with other dogs. In order not to create a dangerous situation for the pet, it is not allowed to roam freely.
Regardless of gender, the result of competent training is an intelligent dog, striking in obedience and good manners.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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At home, the Labrador will happily bring his owner a hat or slippers. You can also trust him with more fragile things - a smartphone, glasses, which the dog takes with his teeth with care.
What color Labrador to choose
Purchasing a puppy with a specific coat color depends on your goal. If you plan to fully participate in exhibition activities or breed purebred dogs, then pay attention to black, fawn and brown standardized colors.
Other coat colors - peach, sand, silver - do not diminish the advantages of a Labrador, since it does not influence the formation of a loyal character.
When purchasing, preference is given to black puppies with a white chest, which is acceptable according to the standard, which is explained by the desire to raise an outwardly impressive dog. The fact that wool of this color produces less pollution also plays a role.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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It should be taken into account that a coal dog is difficult to photograph; for those who like to show themselves next to a noble animal, it may not be suitable.
A fawn pet that loves to wallow in muddy puddles quickly becomes covered in spots, which requires immediate water treatment for the Labrador.
Less common, but very decorative, Labrador chocolate is capable of changing its original shade under bright sunlight, acquiring an uneven color. But this phenomenon is temporary and should not worry the owner. As the intensity of ultraviolet radiation decreases, the color is restored.
Slight differences are observed in the structure of the coat. It is harsher in brown and black dogs. They produce a little more natural oils, which makes its surface more shiny. Fawn Labradors have a softer and duller coat. These nuances are noticeable to experienced breeders, but for home keeping they do not play a priority role.
Expert opinion
Anna Abramenko
An avid dog lover. Experience in veterinary medicine since 2009.
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When choosing the color of a Labrador, you can use the recommendation to choose a shade that will not contrast with the tone of the flooring. This will help keep the house clean.
In general, caring for a pet is not difficult. It is enough to brush it regularly. A special brush is used, equipped with curved spikes, quite thin, located on a flexible base. This device effectively removes loose undercoat and hard hair.
The amount of fur lost varies depending on the conditions. Naturally, a street dog with a thicker coat will leave more hair marks when lying on the carpet.
An active Labrador will not require frequent water treatments, which they are introduced to from an early age. They teach the baby to stand still while he is being washed. They speak quietly and affectionately so as not to cause fear or a negative reaction.
These skills are important for light fawn dogs that can receive significant dirt. But you should not wash Labradors more than once a quarter.
This is due to the possibility of loss of natural lubrication when exposed to detergents, which causes increased sensitivity of the dog’s skin to cold. The shampoo is selected specially, aimed directly at hair care. If desired, use options for a specific color. They enhance the saturation of the shade.
After returning a wet pet from the street, it is immediately wiped with a cloth that absorbs moisture. When it dries, the remaining dirt is removed with a brush.
Character
I would like to talk about it in more detail. The Curly Retriever is a calm and cautious animal. Unlike Labradors, the dog carefully considers his every step. It is necessary to raise a dog. A lot of time should be devoted to classes, since the pet needs to be explained why it is necessary to carry out this or that command. The owner's desire alone will not be enough for this.
This breed is characterized by three main qualities - prudence, devotion and balance. At the same time, the dog may seem too independent, precisely because of its tendency to make decisions on its own. Boundless faith and devotion to the owner entails coldness towards strangers. If brought up incorrectly, this can cause even mild aggression, which does not pose a real threat.
The retriever really needs to communicate with a person. But this dog definitely doesn’t pretend to be the best nanny. He will not allow a small child to twist his ears or bite his nose, he will simply leave and find a quieter place. But when your baby grows up, you won’t find a better companion for him. The curly-haired retriever gets along well with any animal. In the company of other dogs, he behaves independently, but does not show any special leadership inclinations, and he will never take the position of a subordinate.
Photo and video review
Video materials allow you to evaluate the behavioral skills of Labradors. The variety of colors is shown in the photographs. It is important to read the information provided so as not to make mistakes when choosing a pet.
Labradors are positioned as surprisingly sociable dogs with a balanced character. They are able to make friends, be loyal, and are easy to learn. Considering that the color of the coat does not affect the developing qualities of the pet, they select it in accordance with their own expectations and preferences.
Health and life expectancy
Alas, although in general the curly Labrador can boast of fairly good health, some diseases are inherited or can develop over time. First of all this:
- joint dysplasia;
- baldness;
- retinal dysplasia;
- epilepsy;
- volvulus;
- cancer.
But, despite this, the average life expectancy of representatives of the breed is quite good - about 9-14 years. For dogs of this size this is a very good indicator.
Such a pet will easily become the star of the exhibition
By adopting a curly-haired retriever, a dog lover will change his life forever. And, for sure, he will never regret his choice.
