Page 46 - The Labrador Retriever
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the responsible owner never fails to curb and pick up after his dog.
TRAINING
Basic obedience training is an essen- tial part of responsible dog ownership. It helps to establish a bond between you and your Labrador and makes him/her a welcome part of the family and in the neighborhood. In urban areas, there are obedience training clubs that offer classes where you and your dog can learn the fundamentals of basic obedience train- ing. These classes can range in scope from puppy socializing to advanced training for obedience competition.
If training classes are unavailable in your area, there are numerous books and videotapes that can be purchased on the subject and many are available through your local library. Early train- ing and consistency are the keys to having a well-behaved dog. If you plan to hunt your Labrador, basic obedience training is essential.
HEALTH CARE
Veterinarian care is an important part of your responsibility in providing for a Labrador. You should select a veterinar- ian and have your new puppy examined, and an immunization schedule set up. After the initial series of immunizations, your puppy should see the veterinarian on an annual basis for protection against regional health threats and early detection of debilitating disease. It is important to establish a relationship with a veterinarian in your area, so he or she can be contacted if an emergency arises.
A good diet is essential for keeping your Labrador healthy and strong. Most commercial foods are well balanced and palatable.
TO SPAY OR NEUTER
Not all dogs need to be bred to live a happy and fulfilled life. Spayed bitches and neutered males do not exhibit extreme personality changes by removing their reproductive capability. They often live longer and healthy lives free from cancer, uterine infections and perianal tumors. While most Labradors should be surgically
sterilized at some time during their lifes- pan, the sex hormones have been proven to have important health benefits. Early spay and/or neuter has been associated with an increase in size, an increased risk of some orthopedic diseases, bone cancer and some undesirable behavior. It is recommended that the timing of surgical sterilization involve a conversation regarding risk/ benefits between the veterinarian and the owner of the dog.
THE AKC PARENT CLUB FOR THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER
Since its inception over 80 years ago, The Labrador Retriever Club, the AKC Parent Club for the Labrador Retriever, has been dedicated to preserving the integrity of the breed as a retriever gun dog that is equally at home as a hunting companion, at a dog show, or sleeping on a child’s bed. Given the breed’s popular- ity, it is remarkable the degree to which Labradors have retained their ability as working retrievers. That achievement is a measure of the health and vitality of the breed.
A Breed Standard for Labrador Retrievers was developed when the Club formed. It is an approved writ- ten description of the ideal Labrador— Labrador Retrieves without known heredity defects or severe temperament flaws should be used as breeding stock. Because of the popularity of the Labra- dor Retriever, breeders have the added responsibility of maintaining healthy stock, free from hereditary defects and possessing the qualities that make this breed versatile and educating new pup- py owners on proper care and training. Raising a litter of Labradors is a serious consideration and involves a significant financial investment, as well as extended time commitments.
The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. encourages everyone who is consider- ing using their Labrador Retriever for breeding to radiograph the dogs’ hips specialist and to do genetic tests for EIC (exercise induced collapse) and CNM
(Centronuclear myopathy) and for prcd (PRA). These tests can insure that the puppies produced will remain healthy companions for many years. The Labra- dor Retriever Club, Inc. has funded many research projects through the AKC Canine Health Foundation and the Morris Ani- mal Foundation to assure that these tests are available to owners and breeders of Labrador Retrievers.
The LRC, Inc. provides educational material for new owners as well as breed- ers and potential judges of the breed, and donates funds toward breed specific health issues.
For novices interested in training their dog for fieldwork, the LRC has an intro- ductory program called a Working Cer- tificate Test. A Working Certificate will be issued to any Labrador that passes the basic test requirements. The Club also sponsors a Conformation Certificate pro- gram whereby a dog is evaluated against the written Standard for the breed. Both these programs are open to Labradors of all ages, as well as spayed or neutered ani- mals. It is also recommend that you have your dog pass a Canine Good Citizen Test sponsored by the American Kennel Club. A list of local Labrador Retriever clubs that support similar activities on a local level can be found on the Club’s website at: www.thelabradorclub.com.
In addition, the Club sponsors a rotat- ing National Specialty Event Week that includes a specialty conformation show, obedience and agility competitions, retrieving tests and educational seminars also hosts two retriever hunting tests and two field trials annually, as well as pub- lishing a quarterly Newsletter and an annual Yearbook.
