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Understanding The Black Labrador Retriever

The Black Labrador retriever belongs to the most popular breed of dog in the United States. The breed is prized for its ability to be excellent companions to humans, due to their intelligence, high energy, and loving personality. A Black Labrador thrives on human attention and responds well to praise, making them easily trained and possessing a good temper. The dogs are very energetic and require a great deal of exercise, making them largely unsuitable for apartment living and small homes with non-existent yards.

The Appearance Of A Black Labrador Retriever

Black Labrador retrievers are large sized dogs, attaining a high of more than 2 feet and weighing around 80 pounds. They possess short smooth coats that shed moderately throughout the year and need to be brushed regularly to prevent the loose hair from accumulating in the coat. Black Labrador retrievers are excellent swimmers, possessing a short strong tail, like that of an otter, which acts like a rudder in the water and webbed toes for more effective swimming. This breed of dog is fully mature at about 3 years of age and can be considered a senior at around 7 years of age. The average lifespan of a Labrador retriever is about 11 years.

The Personality Of A Black Labrador Retriever

Black Labrador retrievers make excellent pets and wonderful companions to a wide range of individuals. The dogs are not territorial, very rarely show aggression, and are not destructive. The dogs are very secure emotionally and are very versatile, allowing them to be used for a wide range of functions. Because the dogs are so intelligent and easily trained, they are commonly used as guide dogs for the blind, assistants for the disabled, search and rescue guides, and tracking dogs for the police. Black Labrador retrievers are also an excellent choice of pet for families with young children as the dogs are very gentle with children and sometimes designate themselves as the protector of the child.

Training A Black Labrador Retriever

Black Labrador retrievers should be trained while still in the puppy stage to ensure that bad puppy behaviors do not become common problems. Labradors as a breed are fast, athletic, and inquisitive, all traits that are admirable but can get the dog into trouble in a domestic setting. Puppies have a great deal of energy and very little fear so they can easily get into mischief if not trained properly. Black Labrador pups also have a tendency to chew on anything that they can get their paws on, so to avoid the destruction of many household items, the puppy should be trained not to chew on household items as soon as possible.

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Bird Dog Breeds - Trained for Sport

There are several bird dog breeds that can accompany their masters on hunts, and who make excellent house pets too. They are usually medium to large sized dogs, and need plenty of exercise to stay fit. Bird dog breeds are highly intelligent and loyal, and usually easy to train. It is amazing even if they normally live in a city, how their instinct takes over in the country when they sniff or see birds!

Hunting has always been a very popular sport in the English countryside, and packs of dogs have been an integral part of the hunting team. Most of the bird dog breeds we see around anywhere in the world have probably originated from Great Britain or Europe. While it may not be a way of life for most of the bird dog breeds to go hunting regularly, their characteristics and instincts are very much unchanged.

Bird Dog Breeds That Make Good House Dogs

The most popular among the bird dog breeds seen today are the Pointers, Setters and Retrievers. Most of them live up to their names even if they have not been trained. Among the other bird dog breeds, Airedales are excellent working dogs. They have great hunting instincts, and tough weather resistant coats. They can go after water fowls in very harsh conditions. As pets, they are gentle affectionate, and excellent with children.

American bird dog breeds include the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They are not playful or over friendly dogs like Labs and Golden Retrievers. They need to be trained, but are loyal and sensitive. They are protective towards their owners, and want nothing more than to be near them! The Weimeraners are wonderful gun dogs that can be trained to be very swift pointers, flushers, and retrievers. They are loyal, easy to train, and highly intelligent. Their good tempered nature makes them very good house dogs and watch dogs.

English Pointers are extremely gentle but excellent on the field. They love children, but are too friendly to make good watch dogs. English Setters are intelligent, swift, and graceful animals. Their loyalty and gentleness makes them good house pets. They are companionable with children, and friendly towards other animals in the house. They are fun loving, and do not like to be left on their own. Golden Retrievers are beautiful animals with lustrous coats. Their temperaments match their looks, and they are friendly, trustworthy, and gentle with children. They work hard when in the field under adverse conditions too.

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Alternative Name
Norsk Buhund Norwegian Sheepdog

Basic Info

The Buhund ranges in size from about 17 to 18 inches, and between 30 to 40 lbs. It comes in wheaten and black. The wheaten colour (colour of wheat straw) has a variety of shades ranging from light to almost red and with various degrees of shading from dark tipped hairs, including wolf sable, which is recognised in the UK as a separate colour.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The Buhund is friendly and funloving and gets along with both people and other animals. They are alert, agile, and quick learners. They possess a good amount of energy, making them good for dog sports and for just going for a good run, or ball play.

Origin

Norway

History

N/A

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
Norsk Elghund Grähund Gray Norwegian Elkhound Small Grey Elk Dog

Basic Info

The dog stands about 52 centimetres high and weighs up to 24 kilogrammes. Its grey coat is made of dense smooth lying hair ranging from black at the muzzle, ears and tip of its tail, to silvery grey on its legs, tail and underbody. Solid black elkhounds are rarer. Norwegian Elkhound’s thick coats are well suited to Norwegian weather, and provide protection from the elements in two main ways. Their outer coats shed rain, snow and sleet easily, while their under coats keep them warm in the low temperatures. Because their coat is so thick, they moult it twice a year, producing copious amounts of fur - in some rural regions of Norway, this fur is used to make sweaters. Elkhounds tend to remain clean through their coat shedding most dirt, and because the dogs seem to keep themselves clean instinctively. However, elkhounds require regular brushing especially when they moult to avoid their oil glands becoming plugged, and to help them to stay cool in summer.

Health

Norwegian Elkhounds sometimes carry a genetic predisposition to suffer from blindness, or, like many medium and large breeds, hip dysplasia, renal problems and cysts, particularly in later life. Overall, however, they are a hearty breed with few health problems. Elkhounds are very powerful animals, bred to hunt all day in cold climates, so they require plenty of exercise to feel satisfied and stay healthy. A twenty to thirty minute walk twice a day is recommended by many breeders. Elkhounds are prone to rapid weight gain and must not be overfed. They tend to have a lifespan of twelve years.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Norwegian Elkhounds are loyal to their “pack” and make good family dogs. Although each dog is an individual, they generally like children (or at least tolerate them) and can be very protective of those they consider part of their pack or family. This, combined with their loud voice, makes them a good watch dog. Norwegian Elkhounds can be challenging to train because of their intelligence and deep independent streak. However, they can make good obedience, agility, and particularly tracking dogs, and they are good natured in their disobedience (for example, failing to “come” because there is something of greater interest in the other direction).

Origin

Norway

History

Archaeological digs in Scandinavia suggest this breed existed and was domesticated in the Stone age. At the end of the 19th century the breed came to England and in 1901 the The Kennel Club officially recognised it. For many years, the breed was considered one of the oldest dog breeds, going back more than six thousand years. Recent DNA analysis suggests, however, that this breed is actually a recent construction, bred to resemble an older form. An ideal elkhound has a tightly curled tail, as the dog shown in the photograph on this page. The elkhound is a medium sized dog and extremely hardy. They are bred for hunting large game, such as bear and elk . The elkhound has a very strong drive and it is not unheard of for an elkhound to go through a plate glass window when motivated by its quarry. Although the breed is strong and hardy, the dogs typically have an inseparable bond with their masters and are quite loyal. The Norwegian elkhound was presented at a dog exhibition for the first time in 1877.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
Norsk Lundehund Norwegian Puffin Dog Lundehund

Basic Info

It is known for its great range of motion in its joints. His upright ears are placed so high and forward that, upon pricking them, they afford the added protection of almost closing to the front. This creates a shield from the constantly dripping water and dust in the caves. He is able to mold his body to fit in narrow passages because of the extraordinary range of motion in his joints. The head can be bent backwards, almost touching its back, and the forelegs can turn to the side at 90-degree angles. The Norwegian Lundehund is polydactyl: it has an extra toe (at least 6 total) on each foot and double dew claws on the forepaws, which helps with climbing cliffs when hunting puffins. The outercoat is dense and rough with a soft undercoat.

Health

N/A

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

N/A

Origin

Norway

History

The breed has a long history. As far back as 1600 it was used for hunting puffins along the Norwegian coast. Interest for the breed declined when new methods for hunting puffins were invented. A dog tax also led to a decline in the dog population. Around 1900, they were only found in the isolated village of Mostad in Lofoten. The breed was nearly extinct around World War II—only 6 dogs survived (1 on Værøy & 5 in southern Norway Hamar). Due to careful breeding with strict guidelines, there are now around 1500-2000 dogs in the world, with around 1100 in Norway. Estimates show there are approx. 250 in the US.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
N/A

Basic Info

These terriers are the smallest terriers (11-12 lbs, 5 to 5.4 kg; 9 to 10 inches (24 to 25.5 cm) at the withers), with prick ears and a double coat.

Health

The life expectancy of the Norwich Terrier is 12-16 years. While the Norwich Terrier is considered a healthy breed, there are some health issues for which responsible breeders do preventative genetic health testing, thereby reducing the incidences. For the Norwich, there are incidences of epilepsy, narrow tracheas, luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, mitral valve disease, and incorrect bites (how the teeth meet when the jaws are closed). Exercise requirements A good daily walk takes care of the exercise requirements of the Norwich Terrier. They are excellent walking companions. They are reasonable joggers for those who like to jog with their dogs. Care The Norwich Terrier has two coats - a harsh, wiry topcoat and a soft warm undercoat. Ideally, the coat is combed and brushed once a week to remove the loose, dead hairs and prevent matting. Hand stripping the coat once in the fall and once in the spring helps to keep its attractive appearance. Clipping or cutting affects the appearance of the coat’s natural colors and texture. Breeding Norwich Terriers are difficult to breed. Many have Caesarean sections. The North American average litter size for 2005 is two puppies with the total number of puppies for the year at approximately 750.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

These small but hardy teddy-bears-like dogs are courageous, remarkably intelligent and wonderfully affectionate. They can be assertive but it is untypical for them to be aggressive, quarrelsome or shy. They are energetic and thrive on an active life but won’t be any worse for wear if they miss a day’s exercise now and then. They are eager to please but have definite minds of their own. They are sensitive to scolding but 100% Terrier. They should never be kept outside or in a kennel setting because they love the companionship of their owners too much. Norwich are not given to unnecessary barking but they will warn of a stranger approaching. Norwich are good with children. If introduced to other household pets as a puppy they generally co-habitate peacefully. Males often make the best companions though are a little more sensitive to changes in routine than females. Most important is that Norwich do not have a road sense and hence need to be kept on lead when there are being walked. Norwich seem to prefer the company of humans over other dogs, though they readily accept their heritage of being pack dogs.

Origin

United Kingdom

History

The breed has existed since at least the late 1800s, as working terrier of East Anglia, England. The game and hardy little dogs were useful as ratters in the stable yard, bolters of fox for the hunt, and loving family companions. It was the mascot of students at Cambridge University. Small red terriers, descendants of Irish Terriers, had existed in the area since at least the 1860s, and these might be the ancestors of the Norwich, or it might have come from the Trumpington Terrier, a breed that no longer exists. In its earliest history, it was also known as the Jones Terrier and the Cantab Terrier. Since its earliest identification as a breed, puppies have had either drop or prick ears, and both were allowed when the Norwich was first recognized in the show ring in 1932 by The Kennel Club (England). Drop ears were often cropped until it became illegal to do so. This intensified a long-standing controversy over whether drop-eared dogs should be allowed in the show ring and whether the primary difference was simply the ears or whether other, deeper, personality and structural differences marked the drop-eared variety. Starting in the 1930s, breeders increased their efforts to distinguish the breeds. Both ear types continued to be allowed in the ring until The Kennel Club recognized the drop-eared variety as a separate breed, the Norfolk Terrier, in 1964, and the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club did the same in 1979.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
Yarmouth Toller Little River Duck Dog Little Red Duck Dog (nick Toller)

Basic Info

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is one of the most unusual breeds of gundog, The Toller should be athletic, well-muscled, compact, and powerful. All tollers should be capable of tolling, and physical faults that inhibit working ability are heavily penalised. They should be of moderate build, a lack of substance or a heavy build are penalised, as both detract from the type and athletisism. An important feature of the breed is its head, which should resemble that of a fox, and must never be blocky like that of a Golden Retriever. Coat The coat is of moderate length and consists of a waterproof outer coat with a dense undercoat for warmth. Any dog without a double coat should be severely penalised. The tail is heavily feathered and the legs are moderately feathered. The coat color may be any shade of red or orange, with deeper colouring preferred. There is usually some white on the chest, feet, nose, head, and tip of tail. One unusual feature of this breed is the webbed feet that permits them to swim easily, along with the “feathered” tail that they use for added balance. A curry comb brush is useful for grooming. Size Tollers range in height from 18 to 20 inches (43-53 cm) at the withers for males, and weigh 45 to 51 pounds (17-23 kg); females are slightly shorter and lighter. There has been a trend towards larger dogs in recent years, however this is not correct breed type and is unacceptable.

Health

Tollers are generally hardy. However, they, like almost all dog breeds, have certain genetic disorders that are prevalent in the breed. This is sometimes blamed on a relatively small gene pool, a problem that is aggravated by the fact that some people buying Tollers only want dogs that are bred in Nova Scotia, beliving that Nova Scotian dogs are the only “true” Tollers. The Toller’s hereditary diseases include: -Addison’s Disease -Progressive retinal atrophy -Hip dysplasia

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The Toller is a gentle but active breed. They are highly intelligent and easy to train, although many get bored with repetition. The dog requires extensive daily exercise, as well as regular grooming. They are excellent with older children, but can be wary of strange adults. They do not have the all-forgiving temperament of a Golden Retriever and should not be left unsupervised with young children who have not yet learned how to interact with dogs. Potential owners should note the “Toller scream,” a high-pitched and very loud utterance made up of a growl, whine, bark, and howl. The dog will do this to show great excitement and, depending on the dog, any other reason.

Origin

Canada (Nova Scotia)

History

The breed was developed in the Little River district of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia around the beginning of the 19th Century, and was officially admitted to the Canadian Kennel Club in 1945. 56 years later on June 11, 2001 it was approved for admission into the Miscellaneous Class of the American Kennel Club and was granted full recognition into the Sporting Group on July 1, 2003. The exact origins of the breed are not known, but it appears that some Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever, and/or Irish Setter may have gone into the mix. It may share origins with the smaller Kooikerhondje.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
Bobtail Basic Info

An Old English Sheepdog is a breed of dog formerly used for herding livestock,. Males generally weigh 70 to 100 pounds(45 kg); females, 60 to 80 pounds. They stand around 22 inches at the withers. Their long coats can be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with optional white markings. The undercoat is water resistant. The Old English Sheepdog’s abundant coat is an effective insulator in both hot and cold weather.

Health

The long coat requires thorough brushing at least weekly, and the long hair around the pads of the feet can form mats if it isn’t kept trimmed. Some people save their Old English Sheepdog’s hair from grooming and have spun it into yarn.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

This breed is intelligent, funny, social, and adaptable, although they do tend to seem stupid on first impressions. It generally gets along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and visitors. Like all herding breeds, it requires plenty of exercise, both mental and physical. These dogs are tender and catch on quickly to things like boundaries and little things such as doing a trick for a treat. These animals are gentle with other dogs and are always willing to play

Origin

United Kingdom

History

Dulux dog The Old English Sheepdog is the brand mascot for Dulux paint. The dog was first introduced in Australian advertising campaigns in the 1960s. Since then they have been a constant and highly popular feature of Dulux television and print adverts in both Australia and the UK. So much so, that most uninformed people in those markets refer to the breed as a ‘Dulux dog’ rather than a Sheepdog. Over the years, different dogs have appeared in the adverts. However, they all look very similar, partially as a result of most of them being selected from a closely related line of pedigree dogs. The first Dulux dog was Shepton Dash, who held the role for eight years. His successor, Fernville Lord Digby, was the most famous Dulux dog and also made his owner, Cynthia Harrison, famous. When filming commercials, Digby was treated like a star, being driven to the studio in a chauffeur driven car. Barbara Woodhouse was employed to train Digby and his three stunt doubles, who were used whenever specific tricks or actions needed to be filmed. Apart from Dash, all the Dulux dogs have been breed champions, and five of them have won ‘Best of Show’ prizes.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
The Otter’s Foe

Basic Info

The Otterhound is a large, rough-coated hound with an imposing head showing great strength and dignity, and the strong body and long striding action fit for a long day’s work. They generally weigh between 80 and 120 pounds (36 to 54 kg). It has an extremely sensitive nose, and is inquisitive and perseverant in investigating scents. The Otterhound hunts its quarry on land and it has a combination of characteristics unique among hounds; most notably a rough, double coat and substantial webbed feet.

Health

The breed lives to between 10 and 13 years old, although some have reportedly lived to be 15 or older.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

They are basically big, friendly dogs with a unique bass voice that they sometimes use to excess. Because Otterhounds were originally bred for hunting, their most important characteristic is their ultrasensitive nose. As a result, new owners of Otterhounds often find that their new dog gets into everything and that the dog needs to be supervised or confined when unsupervised. The Otterhound’s hunting background means that it has energy and endurance, requiring more energetic exercise than simply walking around the block. This is a good breed for active people who have a lively sense of humor!

Origin

Great Britain

History

There are only an estimated 1,000 or so Otterhounds in the world and somewhere between 350 and 400 in the US. Even in the early 20th century, when otter hunting was most popular as a sport, Otterhounds were not numerous. But they can be good family dogs that simply demand a bit more training than some other breeds.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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Alternative Name
Butterfly Dog Phalène (drop ear type) Continental Toy Spaniel Epagneul Nain Continental Squirrel Dog (because of tail carriage)

Basic Info

According to the AKC breed standard, the Papillon has an abundant, flowing coat, short on the head but with a profuse frill on the chest. The Papillon has no undercoat. The tail should be a plume of long hair. The Phalène is the same as the erect-eared Papillon except for its dropped spaniel-like ears. The AKC considers the Phalène and the Papillon the same breed. Countries whose breed clubs follow the FCI standard consider Papillons and Phalènes two separate breeds. Papillons are a white dog with colored markings. Any colored markings are permitted. The color must always cover both eyes and the front and back of the ear to give the proper butterfly look. A white blaze and noseband on the face are preferred. Size should range from 8 inches to 12 inches at the shoulder (11 inches in the UK) with the average papillon being between 9 and 10.5 inches in height and weight in proportion.

Health

The Papillon is a fairly health breed, but like all dog breeds there are some health problems which are prevalent. These include: -von Willebrand’s disease -Luxating patella -mitral valve disorder - A congenital heart defect -Progressive retinal atrophy

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

Even though the breed has the connotation of a dainty toy breed, many owners will tell you they act like big dogs in small dogs’ bodies. There are several possible reasons for this. First, the Papillion is hardy; some people find that their Papillon is very capable of handling a good five-mile walk. Some owners believe the reality is that they will resist such an outing if the grass is dampish or if there are two clouds in the sky that might lead to rain, but others have experienced them as very versatile in almost all conditions, although not necessarily with prolonged exposure. Perhaps they seem to be larger dogs because to many people Papillons appear not to be prone to small dog quaking when confronted with a new situation. In fact, some Papillon owners believe that their dogs interpret any new event as having been put on for their benefit, and believe that the dogs do their best to be an attentive host or hostess. Another aspect of the Papillon that has led many to believe the ‘big dog’ assertion is that this breed is surprisingly athletic. Perhaps people are surprised that in contrast to its staid and stately representation in the Old Master portraits, the Papillon is highly energetic and intelligent (Stanley Cohen, in The Intelligence of Dogs, rates the Papillon eighth among all breeds). Provided their genetic structure is sound and they are healthy, Papillons are built for movement, and most do not need any encouragement to apply their energy to athletic activities. In order to make a Papillon coat really shine to its fullest, it should be brushed once or twice a day, and the dog bathed at least every two weeks.

Origin

France

History

The Papillon probably originated in continental Europe and was a favorite at the French court. The most famous owner was Henry III; documentation of his devotion to the breed lies in his declaration of the Papillon as the official dog of the Royal Court during his tenure. Other famous owners are said to have been Marie Antoinette, and Madame de Pompadour. There is evidence that these small dogs were favorites of European aristocrats, particularly French royalty, during the time of the Old Masters, as Continental Toy Spaniels (Phalènes and Papillons) were included in many Old Master royal portraits from as early as the sixteenth century. The Papillon is a highly athletic breed. There are many stories about the Papillon. Marie Antoinette was said to have walked to the guillotine clutching her small dog under her arm. Tradition has it that her dog was a small spaniel that had been brought to the French court from Spain on the back of pack mules. According to the story, her pup was spared and cared for in a building in Paris still called the Papillon House. Marie’s small spaniel was said to have descended from a very old drop-eared breed known as the Epagneul Nain Continental, or Continental Dwarf/Toy Spaniel that appeared in church frescos and paintings as early as the 13th century. The Papillon is still officially referred to as the Epagneul Nain Continental (ENC) in non-English-speaking countries. The name Squirrel Spaniel also has been used, most likely referring to an earlier standard in which the tail set is described as “curling over the back as a squirrel’s.” One version of the history of the two varieties of ear shape in the ENC (”Papillon” to denote the erect ear and “Phalène” to denote the dropped ear) is that toward the end of the 19th century, breed fanciers bred a version of the spaniel whose ears stood up. This dog was said to have been nicknamed papillon based on the impressively large, erect ears that resembled the wings of a butterfly. The drop-eared variety of the breed came to be called the Phalène (which means “night moth”). Both types are still bred today and appear in the same litter. The Papillon variety is much more common, although recently the Phalène has undergone a resurgence in popularity.

Common Foods

pellet dog food

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