Everything You Need To Know About English Labradors

English Labrador Introduction

Labradors are one of the most common breeds in the United States, with good reason. They are loving, easygoing, beautiful dogs. For decades, they have been members of all different families, and their loveable personality has become more and more noticed. Labradors were established in Newfoundland by pioneering settlers from England. These settlers needed hunting and fishing companions, so they brought their dogs along with them from England. English Labradors were known for swimming in freezing Newfoundland waters, which is why they have such a beautiful, thick coat.

Early Labradors were working dogs, and in the 1940s they gained their popularity as house pets, which led to the separation of the English Labrador breed and the American Labrador breed. Both breeds technically came from England, but they do serve purposes. American Labradors are working retrievers, while English Labradors are more commonly known as house pets. The English Labrador breed has a larger head, broader body, shorter legs, and a thicker coat than their American Labrador cousins.

English Labradors are gentle giants who love their families. They are slightly heavier than their American Labrador cousins and typically weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. The average English Lab is between 21.5 and 22.5 inches tall.

English Labrador Temperament

Labradors are known for their amazing temperament and typically come in first or second in temperament testing out of all breeds. They are very loving and love to spend time with their families. English Labradors are known to live well with young children and other animals in their households. They are a generally friendly breed and enjoy socializing with new people. English Labradors are very adaptable and do well in new places, around new people and dogs, and when you have a life change such as a new home or work schedule. With their low level of aggression, it’s no wonder why English Labradors are so popular.

English Labradors are large, active dogs and do best with active owners. They love to go for walks, hikes, and especially swims. English Labradors can live in an apartment, though they prefer a home with a yard to run around in. They are a very loyal breed and make excellent watchdogs, though they typically don’t have excessive barking problems. They will simply let you know if they believe there is a potential threat outside and welcome any strangers that you do into their home. Socializing your English Labrador from a young age is the best way to ensure this easy-going temperament.

English Labrador Intelligence

English Labradors are a highly intelligent breed known for their ample learning abilities. Labrador Retrievers, including both English and American, found their job retrieving various types of game as water dogs, gun dogs, and hunting dogs. They have a long history of working alongside humans and listening to various commands while in the field. This intelligence and eagerness to please haven’t faded as years have gone on. Today, while English Labradors are most commonly seen as family dogs, they still carry this streak of smarts.

Training an English Labrador is typically a very easy task thanks to their intelligence. English Labradors respond best to positive reinforcement. Since they want to make their owners happy, retrieving a reward for doing so motivates them even more. Pets, treats, and verbal praise is all great ways to engage your English Labrador in the training process and keep them excited about learning new things. With practice and consistency, your English Labrador will be thriving in obedience. Some English Labrador owners may even choose to take up agility with their pup. Doing so can help put their smarts to the test and keep them active.

English Labrador Shedding

English Labradors are known for their beautiful coats that come in black, brown, or yellow. These coats are thick and weather-resistant thanks to their history as working dogs. The English Labrador coat is a double coat that is also waterproof, making them the ideal swimmers in even the coldest of temperatures.

With this thick coat can come quite a bit of shedding. English Labradors shed the most during fall and spring when they are making way for their spring and winter coats. Doing so allows them to adjust to these very different seasons and temperatures. When owning an English Labrador, be sure to have a broom handy during these shedding seasons, though shedding can be minimized with proper grooming. More on how to groom your English Labrador in a bit.

Because English Labradors are known for high shedding levels, they are not ideal pets for those with dog allergies. English Labradors are not considered hypoallergenic and can cause quite a bit of sneezing if you have an allergy to dog fur. While no dogs truly don’t shed, many hypoallergenic breeds shed less than labradors, making them better fits for homes with allergies.

English Labrador Health

All dog owners want their dogs to be as healthy and happy as possible. To attain this, giving your English Labrador a well-rounded diet is essential. Certain foods can help prevent or combat common English Labrador health issues. When choosing treats and snacks, be sure to look out for foods that assist with various areas of health that your English Labrador may be suffering in, such as joint health. With proper care and nutrition, your English Labrador can reach their full life expectancy of around 12 years. You and your beloved pup can look forward to many fun-filled years together.

Psychological Health

When we think of our dog’s health, we often think of the physical areas, such as their skin, bones, and organs. While these are all important, their psychological health is just as vital to their well-being. Just like humans, English Labradors can be prone to various psychological health conditions that can impact their life. For this breed, the most common issue to face is called separation anxiety.

Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a very common condition seen in many dog breeds, including English Labradors. As with any health condition, just because a breed is prone to it doesn’t mean that developing this condition is inevitable. Many English Labradors will live their entire lives without experiencing separation anxiety. Nevertheless, knowing the signs of this condition is the best way to manage it if it does arise.

English Labradors are extremely loyal dogs who form very strong connections with their owners. Because of this, they may become anxious when they are left home alone. English Labradors may show various symptoms when they are experiencing separation anxiety. Some may become restless and begin to pace their backyard or house. Others may whine, howl, or bark when they are alone. English Labradors with separation anxiety may even have an accident inside or refuse to eat. All of these symptoms can be troublesome for both you and your dog, highlighting a need for separation anxiety management.

While separation anxiety is an unwanted condition for any dog and its owner, there are many ways to combat it at home. One of the best ways to combat separation anxiety in your dog is through mental stimulation. Puzzle toys keep your dog engaged by making them work towards a treat inside, keeping them from getting bored, and focusing on the fact that they are alone. These toys also have various benefits, such as cognitive health.

In addition to mental stimulation, various products on the market can address separation anxiety in English Labradors. Calming dog products come in all shapes and sizes, such as beds and treats. Calming dog treats contain various soothing ingredients that can help minimize the anxiety that your dog feels when you are away. In addition, comforting beds can help make your dog feel safe and secure when they are left alone. Be sure to give these various calming dog products a try and see which one works best for your English Labrador.

Hip Dysplasia

All dogs can be prone to specific health issues, and for English Labradors, hip dysplasia is one of the most common ones to develop. This condition is caused by abnormal growth within the ball and socket part of the hip joint. This leads to the hip joint becoming unstable and loose, and eventually to swelling and discomfort within the hip. This condition can be very painful for English Labradors to experience- especially those that are overweight and have excess pressure on their hip joints. While hip dysplasia needs to be addressed by your vet, there are ways to combat and manage this condition at home.

Symptoms of hip dysplasia can vary, though the most common one is pain and discomfort in one or both hind legs. English Labradors with hip dysplasia may limp or walk slowly due to the pain that this condition causes. One of the best ways to manage this pain is through anti-inflammatory agents such as turmeric or ashwagandha. These anti-inflammatory agents reduce the swelling in the hip, therefore minimizing pain. Always be sure to consult with your vet before beginning any new supplementation or dietary changes for your English Labrador with hip dysplasia.

Joint Health Options We Love

Diabetes

Another very common condition for English Labradors to experience is diabetes. Diabetes occurs when your dog’s body either doesn’t produce enough insulin due to pancreatic dysfunction or when the body isn’t utilizing insulin that the pancreas makes properly. This can cause cells to be deprived of glucose, their form of fuel, which is delivered to cells by insulin. Diabetes must be diagnosed and treated by a vet, but there are some ways to manage this condition at home.

One of the best ways to prevent diabetes is to ensure that your dog doesn’t become obese, as obesity can contribute to insulin resistance and affect the pancreas, which can both lead to diabetes. If your dog does get diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to pay attention to their diet. Diabetes dogs should be fed fiber and complex carbohydrates. These nutritional aspects will slow the absorption of glucose. In addition, diabetic dogs need high-quality protein and a low fat content. Diabetic English Labradors should also have a consistent exercise schedule. This will help to avoid sudden spikes or drops in glucose levels and to manage their diabetes. With your help, your diabetic English Labrador can live a very happy life.

Seizures

Seizures are a very scary occurrence for any dog and their owners. When these seizures become recurring, they are called epilepsy, a condition that can affect both humans and dogs. Unfortunately, English Labradors can be prone to experiencing seizures. Various diseases, cancers, toxins, and even genetics can cause a dog to experience seizures. While seizures need to be addressed by a vet, you can combat this condition as an owner and reduce your dog’s seizure activity.

One of the best ways to reduce seizures in your English Labrador is through a naturally occurring compound called CBD. CBD is believed to reduce seizure frequency and severity in both humans and dogs. This has made it one of the most common natural ways to combat epilepsy. CBD can be fed to your dog with CBD treats or CBD oil.

In addition to CBD, ketogenic foods are a great way to combat seizures in your English Labrador. Coconut oil, for example, is full of MCTs, which are known to have ketogenic properties. These may act as an anti-inflammatory agent that is known to reduce seizures. In addition to medication, you can use dietary agents to reduce seizure activity and provide your dog with a healthy life.

English Labrador Oral Health

One of the most important parts of overall health is oral health. Without a healthy mouth, your dog may be at risk for dental diseases, and even heart and liver problems. The most common dental issue for all dogs, including English Labradors, is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection within the gums caused by bacteria and tartar build-up. This disease can have some serious symptoms, including pain, gum bleeding, bad breath, and even tooth loss. Thankfully, there are a variety of Veterinary Oral Health Council accepted products that can prevent this condition.

One of the best ways to prevent periodontal disease in English Labradors is through at-home dental care. All dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned, but dental care should also be kept up in between these cleanings. One of the best ways to upkeep your English Labrador’s dental health is with dog toothbrushes and dog toothpaste. Brushing your dog’s teeth between cleanings will help eliminate bacteria. In addition, dental chews, dental treats, and dental food can all help keep your dog’s mouth healthy and prevent periodontal disease. Be sure to give these products a try and see what works best for you.

Oral Health Options We Love

English Labrador Exercise

Compared to American Labradors, English Labradors seem to be a bit lazier. Despite this, they still like to be active and need daily exercise. Just how much exercise your English Labrador needs can depend on a variety of things, including their age, size, and underlying health conditions. In general, most adult English Labradors need about one hour of exercise per day.

There are many fun and effective ways to exercise your English Labrador. First and foremost, Labradors are a water breed. They love to go for a swim, and doing so can help them stay active and have fun. Taking your dog to the beach, lake, or river and throwing a tennis ball into the water is the perfect way to let them exercise through swimming.

In addition to swimming, English Labradors typically enjoy playing fetch. They love to retrieve things, including tennis balls or frisbees that you have thrown for them. Consider taking your English Labrador out into your yard or to the park and letting them play fetch for a while. If all else fails, going for a walk is always an easy and reliable way to make sure that your English Labrador is getting all of the exercise that they need.

Exercise Options We Love

English Labrador Nutrition

Nutrition is a very important part of any dog’s life. Proper nutrition can prevent and combat various health conditions and make sure that your dog is feeling and looking their best. When feeding an English Labrador, there are two things to remember: the ideal amount of food and the kind of food for this breed. Just how much food your English Labrador should eat can depend on a variety of things, such as their age and size. In general, English Labrador adults should eat between 4 to 5 cups of dry food per day, split between two meals.

Finding high-quality dog food can seem difficult. With so many options on the market, it’s not easy to know which ones are the best for your specific pup. When choosing a protein, consider using a fish-based food. One study has shown that dogs who consumed a fish-based, nutrient rich diet had less severe cases of hip dysplasia than those who consumed chicken-based diets. Some nutrient factors of fish-based foods are believed to help slow the progression of hip dysplasia. Since English Labradors are prone to this condition, it’s a good idea to combat it through diet. Always consult with your vet when changing your dog’s diet.

Dog Food Based On Age We Love

English Labrador Grooming

English Labradors are known for their beautiful, thick coats. With this coat can come a lot of shedding, and to manage shedding, grooming is a necessity. English Labradors can be professionally groomed, groomed at home, or both. Some owners prefer to groom their dog themselves, and some prefer to leave it to the pros. Both options work just as fine. One great thing about English Labradors is that they are not very high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their coat is considered dirt resistant and won’t become overly dirty if they are playing in mud. Still, English Labradors should be bathed once every three months at the least. When bathing an English Labrador, be sure to use a dog shampoo and conditioner. These will help keep their coat soft and shiny.

To groom an English Labrador, consider using a wide-tooth metal comb. This will help remove any mats and debris from their coat. Combing should be done before a bath to ensure that all debris easily is washed away from their coat, even the most stubborn dirt. During shedding season, combing your English Labrador regularly will help remove excess hair and minimize the hair that you need to sweep up.

Dog Grooming Supplies We Love

English Labrador Products

Finding the right products for your English Labrador is the best way to ensure that they are living a healthy and happy life. Additional grooming products can include a nail trimmer, dental wipes, ear cleaning solution, and flea medication. All of these products will keep your English Labrador looking and feeling great.

Ear Cleaning Solutions We Love

Aside from grooming products, harnesses are a very important part of your dog’s life. Their harness will likely be used daily when you go for walks, to the dog park, or anywhere else outside of your home. Because of this, it’s important to find a harness that is comfortable and fits your English Labrador correctly. If you have an English Labrador puppy, be sure to buy an adjustable harness that can grow with them. Many harnesses have additional padding inside of the straps for extra comfort and security.

Since English Labradors are prone to joint problems such as hip dysplasia, a high-quality dog bed is essential. Their dog bed should be thick enough to support them without feeling the ground through the pad. Many English Labrador owners prefer tempurpedic dog beds for additional joint support.

Harnesses We Love

All dogs love treats, and finding ones that are healthy can improve your dog’s life greatly. When choosing a treat for your English Labrador, consider buying one that has fish-based ingredients. These treats can help keep your dog from developing hip dysplasia, and contain a low amount of fat to avoid diabetes. If you are worried about your dog getting enough protein, high-quality dog treats are a good way to keep their diet well-rounded and sneak in some extra nutrients. With some time and consistency, you will be able to find pet products that work best for you and your awesome English Labrador.