The Labrador retriever was officially recognized as a dog breed by the Kennel Club in England in 1903 and by the American Kennel Club in 1917. Its popularity increased in the 1960s among homeowners who referred to it as 'the chocolate bar'. Today, the brown labrador retriever is known as a friendly and hardworking dog. Although initially the most preferred color for this dog was black, brown has also quickly grown to become a favorite of many people. Here are important steps to consider before buying or adopting a chocolate labrador so you can have the perfect new family member.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Determining whether a Chocolate Labrador Retriever is right for you
Step 1. Understand the nature of the brown labrador
While each dog will have different temperaments, an understanding of the common traits and characteristics commonly encountered in brown labradors will help you determine whether the breed is a good fit for your home.
- Labrador is a loyal, affectionate and fun dog. These positive traits make the Labrador the number one breed registered with the American Kennel Club.
- Anticipate noisy and energetic behavior. The Labrador has a reputation for being one of the best-tempered dog breeds, enjoying being outdoors, entertaining, and friendly with people and other animals.
Step 2. Check the house before buying a chocolate labrador
Chocolate Labradors are great pets for families with young children and other animals and are perfect for homes with lots of surface space.
Anticipate the occurrence of various incidents. The young Labrador is described as "a clumsy animal". This means that you have to be prepared to find a vase that has been knocked down and a carpet that has been disheveled by this breed of dog
Step 3. Prepare to give disciplinary action
Chewing and swallowing are the main problems that are often done by this breed. Labradors need chew toys that are always on hand in large quantities to avoid damaging your valuables.
- Consider including your brown labrador in obedience training.
- Plan to train your chocolate labrador before it becomes too large and difficult to control. Since the chocolate labrador is a fairly large dog, it is very important to teach him good manners. Among these are training him not to bite (even if he's just playing around), not to lunge at people, and to pee in the right places.
Step 4. Assess your ability to provide activities to the labrador
All labradors are happy and need activity to live a happy and healthy life.
- Be prepared to bring your labrador to physical activity. Labradors need physical activity to maintain a healthy cardiovascular and muscular system. All adult labradors require daily walks of at least half an hour and longer, more vigorous activity and training sessions of at least one to two hours three times per week.
- Be prepared to take your dog for a run every day to burn off excess energy.
Step 5. Find out how much money is needed to support the health of a chocolate labrador
A male brown labrador can weigh up to 36.3 kg and requires a large amount of dog food. In addition to the cost of food, expenses for a veterinarian can also be high, so you must provide funds for some kind of pet insurance.
Make sure your financial security is good enough to buy a chocolate labrador dog
Step 6. Learn how to identify certain health conditions
Although in general the brown labrador is a dog breed that has good health, several diseases can attack it. Therefore, you must be able to identify and address their health problems. Some diseases can be inherited genetically (eg cancer, epilepsy, autoimmune diseases) or caused by the environment (contact with chemicals, drugs, and inhaling too much smoke). Examples of health problems that are often encountered are hip and/or elbow dysplasia, obesity, epilepsy, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), tricuspid valve dysplasia, bloating or Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV), myopathy, cold tail, and ear infection.
Consult a veterinarian as soon as possible if you notice any signs or symptoms that indicate a health problem in your dog
Part 2 of 3: Deciding to Buy or Adopt
Step 1. Consider raising a chocolate labrador puppy
Puppies, despite their cute and adorable appearance with their demeanor and large round eyes, need a lot of time to care for, especially in the first years of their life.
- Make sure any puppies you have are immunized. Starting at six weeks of age, puppies should receive a set of immunizations consisting of four injections every three weeks.
- Train your puppy indoors and take him outside every day for at least a few hours to let him poop.
- Socialize chocolate labrador puppies when they are young. The purpose of this activity is to encourage positive, polite, and calm interactions with people and other animals.
- Apply obedience training to lay a solid foundation for good attitude. Obedience classes will help shape a puppy's personality in the long run.
Step 2. Consider whether or not having an adult dog is appropriate for you
Having an adult brown labrador in your home can be a great experience as adult dogs are less likely to be adopted and are often the first to be euthanized.
- Ask the shelter or the person who previously kept the dog you are about to adopt about its nature and behavior. Since a dog's temperament is generally formed by the age of three, you should know the traits before starting to pet them.
- Always be patient and understanding with dogs who have had different lives. Perhaps the dog has been traumatized or exposed to certain things. Even something as harmless as a vacuum cleaner might scare your dog.
- Understand that older dogs have different needs than younger ones. Among these are a series of doctor visits, special food for adult dogs, and a well-adjusted activity schedule.
Step 3. Know what you want from a labrador
The chocolate Labrador is a versatile dog. Initially, the breed was bred to perform physical labor before transitioning into family pets.
- Decide if you want a labrador bred for competition. You can choose a breed based on its ability as a working dog or its appearance, movement, and temperament.
- Opt for the British labrador if you are looking for a breed suitable for show and exhibition. The British Labrador is heavier, fuller and has thicker fur than its American counterpart. In addition, the English labrador also has a calmer, quieter, and less active nature.
- Purchase an American labrador if you want a dog for field activities and hunting. The American Labrador has a slimmer, more agile body and thinner coat than its British counterpart. In addition, the energy level is also higher.
Step 4. Choose a well-bred chocolate labrador
Good breeders will check the health of both parents before mating to reduce the risk of disease in their offspring. Health data will also be provided openly to you. If you are adopting an adult dog, you should ask for this information.
- Request a pelvic dysplasia examination and an eye certificate indicating the absence of PRA.
- Pay particular attention to your overall appearance, physical health, and activity level of your chocolate labrador. Changes in energy, eating habits, behavior, or appearance can be noticed after the labrador is brought home.
Step 5. Ask about the temperament of the mother dog used for breeding
Temperament can have an influence on your puppy's behavior as it grows. The breeder should be willing to provide all the details about the parent. If possible, ask to see the parent. You can learn about your puppy's likely appearance and temperament later in life by observing the parents.
Step 6. Give your dog love and care
Whether you pick a puppy from a breeder or an adult dog from a shelter, you need to give them love, attention, and time.
Part 3 of 3: Choosing Where to Buy or Adopt a Chocolate Labrador
Step 1. Find a breeder with a good reputation
A good breeder is the best place to buy a labrador puppy. To get a healthy and happy dog, never buy from an irresponsible breeder.
- Choose a breeder who checks the dogs to ensure that there are no hereditary diseases and to ensure that both parents have a good temper. Find out whether or not there is a certified hip dysplasia and PRA free.
- Discuss with the breeder about other diseases that the mother dog may have. Examples are epilepsy, osteoarthritis, or collapse caused by activity.
- Look for a breeder who breeds chocolate labrador puppies at home. While there are exceptions, most kennel-bred puppies are not well socialized and do not receive sufficient attention.
Step 2. Be wary of breeders willing to sell chocolate labrador puppies that are less than eight weeks old
A brown labrador puppy should not leave his birthplace before eight weeks of age. If the breeder is willing to sell it, there is a possibility that the place it manages is actually a puppy mill.
Step 3. Ask for references from previous adopters
References can tell you about their experience in adopting, how their dog is doing, the presence or absence of health problems, and details about the breeder in the buying and selling process and throughout the dog's life.
Visit or contact the Indonesian Kinology Association (PERKIN) for a list of good breeders, breed pedigrees, and an explanation of the importance of checking for hereditary diseases for dogs
Step 4. Try adopting a chocolate labrador from your nearest animal shelter or rescue community
Adopting a labrador in need of a home is a great move, but certain challenges remain. Here are the things you should do before adopting:
- Find and contact animal shelters, abandoned animal shelters, and other animal rescue organizations and agencies. Express your interest in adopting and find out what the requirements are. Most animal rescue organizations will check whether their dog is compatible with your home or family.
- Find and visit a labrador dog available for adoption. Ask about his past and whether or not there are any problems with his behavior or training.
Step 5. Know the challenges to adopting an abandoned labrador
Dogs that end up in shelters usually don't behave the best or get the best training. With proper care and housing, these problems can often be solved, even if it takes a long time.
- Volunteer at your local animal shelter. Most shelter agencies will be very grateful for your willingness to volunteer. The work involved includes things like taking care of dogs, finding people willing to adopt, and inspecting the homes of potential new owners. Volunteering is a great way to understand the pros and cons of adopting an abandoned dog before committing to the adoption process.
- Learn more about adopting a dog from a shelter.
Step 6. Avoid pet stores and puppy mills
Most pet stores sell puppies obtained from puppy mills, breeding facilities that work with the primary goal of breeding as many dogs as possible to make money. Poor breeding conditions and inbreeding can make dogs sold by both parties suffer from serious illnesses.
- Visit the breeder in person, don't just trust online ads. Many puppy mill owners pretend to be breeding families in advertisements on the internet, newspapers, and magazines. Make sure you are actually buying from a reputable breeder.
- Be aware of sellers who offer several different breeds and types of puppies. Also be careful if you are shown only one puppy without the mother or other puppies nearby. Don't buy puppies that are kept in kennels or crates when they are brought to you to show.
- Avoid the temptation to "rescue" the dog from the puppy mill by buying it. When you buy puppies from a puppy mill, you are giving money to the industry and encouraging the manufacturer to continue in business.
- Contact local authorities if you see someone keeping a puppy in poor condition.
