Labrador retriever: breed, character and care

A breed called Flat-Coated Retriever refers to a hunting group. But thanks to their stamina, unpretentiousness and very friendly and cheerful disposition, these dogs feel great in urban conditions.

Description of the breed

The standard size of a straight-haired retriever is the height at the withers from 56 to 62 cm and weight 27-30 kg. The constitution is dense, without excessive cumbersomeness. Characteristic features are a broad chest, a straight back, a graceful neck and a peculiar type of head. The ears are small, the straight tail is held at the level of the back.

The plain-haired retriever is the owner of luxurious wool. It is quite dense, shiny, on the neck of the males is longer, forming a kind of mane. Straight smooth hair is one of the characteristics of the breed, only a small waviness is allowed. Color can be purely black or liver.

Despite their elegant and aristocratic appearance, these dogs were always appreciated as workers. They were used in English estates to serve as assistants to the rangers. Combining a high intellect with a hunting instinct and endurance, the straight-legged retriever flat is today a universal breed. From it you can raise an excellent service dog (guide, rescuer, etc.), a hunter and just a great companion.

Origin

The history of the breed, which, according to experts, combines the blood of various types of dogs (Scottish collies and setters, spaniels and others), began with the island of Newfoundland. But its final formation took place in England. The first representative of the hairless retriever was presented at the exhibition in 1860. Further selection led to changes in the wool cover, which became more dense and waterproof. At the beginning of the last century, the number of purebred dogs exceeded one hundred.

Becoming unusually popular in the hunting environment, the breed kept its positions for a long time. And only at the beginning of the twentieth century it began to supplant the golden retrievers and labradors. Today, interest in the breed of a straight-haired retriever (photos presented in this article) began to grow again.

Character

These dogs are distinguished by an unusual mind and discipline. They remain cheerful and very energetic for a long time, but become more balanced and mature as they grow older. Although this does not stop them from showing a constant willingness to play and hunt. The combination of a strong nervous system with high intelligence provides a good learning flates. They quickly master the team and with pleasure fulfill all the instructions of the owner.

The friendly nature of a straight-haired retriever makes it possible to keep it in a family where there are small children. Quite calmly, he applies to pets living next to him.

Features of the content

This breed is perfectly adapted to living in urban conditions. Due to their unpretentiousness, dogs do not require any special care. It is only necessary to take into account, when setting in the retreat's apartment, that he needs regular long walks. Well, if there is an opportunity to give physical activities, including the importation of objects thrown into the water.

Thick and dense hair of the dog allows you to walk with it at any time of the year. The breed of a straight-haired retriever is very suitable for those people who lead an active lifestyle, prefer long walks in the fresh air. It is recommended to start such dogs if the owner can pay enough attention to them and provide physical exercise. In addition to regular walks, the retriever must periodically be taken out of town, where he can fully display his hunting instincts.

Care of hair

A beautiful shiny coat, which is a real decoration for these dogs, is the result of proper care. Combing it is necessary with regularity 1-2 times a week, and during moult almost every day. For this procedure, use a two-sided comb with teeth of different frequencies. Particular attention should be given to hard-to-reach places to prevent the formation of coils. If they do appear, they are carefully combed or cut off.

You only need to bathe a dog if necessary. Do this using a special shampoo designed for animals.

Food

The hairless retriever can be fed as a special balanced food, sold at pet stores, and natural food. In the second case, the diet should necessarily include meat soups, vegetables, cereals, raw meat. With mixed nutrition, only one type of food is given to one dog for feeding, for example, in the morning - a chicken, and in the evening - dry food.

Strictly forbidden to give tubular bones, sweet, milk, pasta, potatoes, as well as fatty and smoked food.

Adult dogs are fed 2 times a day - in the morning and in the evening, puppies - depending on the age. Babies, who turned 1-2 months old, need to take food at least 5 times a day, gradually the amount of feeding is reduced and by the half-year it reaches up to 3 times a day.

Determine whether it is enough for the animal nutrients and trace elements is very simple - it is worth paying attention to how your dog looks. The plain-haired retriever, who receives high-quality food, has a smooth shiny coat, does not suffer from allergies, is in good physical shape.

How to choose a puppy

First of all it is recommended to visit any exhibition with participation of flat dogs to see what your pet will look like in the future, what kind of breed lines exist, etc. There you can talk with breeders and learn about some features of the breed. If it is a question of choosing a friend of the family, then in choosing a puppy it is enough to simply rely on your own taste.

But if it is planned to do an exhibition career in the future, the puppy should be selected with great responsibility. Therefore, if there is no relevant knowledge and experience, one should turn to a specialist who knows well what to look for when choosing a puppy of the breed, like a straight-tailed retriever. The cattery in which it is necessary to choose a puppy, should be checked, have good recommendations. It is necessary to look at the parents of the future pet, because good genetics is the basis for successful development.

Completely regardless of the purpose for which the puppy is acquired (for the soul or for participation in exhibitions), it is necessary to assess its condition according to a number of signs. The nose should be wet, cold, the eyes clean, without pus, the fur is shiny. The breeder needs to find out what vaccinations have been made, whether treatment has been performed from parasites. Specialists recommend choosing in favor of the most cheerful and active puppy, which lacks signs of cowardice or aggression.

Education and training

Coated retriever - the breed is very smart, obedient. These dogs are smart and perfectly suited to training and training. Conducted lessons with a retriever should be interesting, but short in time, so as not to overwork the animal. This breed is quickly bored with monotonous repetitive tasks. As a reward and rewards, you can use food, as well as toys or simply praise. Retrievers are happy to be engaged in apposition, take part in agility and flyball.

It is important to remember that dogs of this breed are extremely sensitive and need constant attention and care. With all their behavior, they tend to deserve approval, to please the master. In no case during the training you can not shout at the dog, even raise your voice. Especially the puppies of the hairless retriever require the manifestation of maximum patience and delicacy on the part of the host.

Flat - a companion dog, which has an unusual affection for man. Even the short-term separation from the owner of the representatives of this breed is very difficult. A plain-haired retriever is one of the most faithful and reliable dogs.