Frequently Asked Questions

Informing yourself reduces the guesswork in raising a puppy.

understanding your labrador

Setting yourself up for success

For many people, when you decide to take home a Labrador pup it will be either the first time you have raised a puppy or the time was a long time in the past. There are many sources of information on Labradors but finding ones you can trust can be time-consuming. Of course your local Vet will be best placed to help with specific medical questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about raising a healthy and well-adjusted Labrador puppy.

People often forget that puppies are still babies and they allow them to do things that can adversely affect their health. Growing Labradors can be severely injured by constant running down stairs and from jumping out of the car. Until pups are 12 months of age owners should monitor their puppies’ exercise and to try to avoid overly rough play.

As a breed, Labradors tend to be very biddable and are good with children. However, as with any dog, it is not a good idea to let puppies and children play unattended. Both puppies and children tend to be unaware of their own size and strength and could accidentally injure one another. As a parent of a young child and the owner of a young Lab puppy, realize that you will have to spend time teaching both the child and the puppy how to behave around one another.

Labradors love to swim. In general, they take to swimming quite naturally. But don’t be alarmed if your little pup is unsure about swimming the first time, they have to learn about swimming just like anything else. Never throw a young puppy into the water! If you have an adult dog around that enjoys swimming, the pup will probably follow it in happily. You could also go in yourself and have the pup follow.

Yellow Labradors are often called “golden Labradors”. The term yellow refers to a range of colour from nearly white to a dark gold.

Labradors come in three colours: black, chocolate, and yellow. Mis-marked or brindled Labradors are sometimes born but they are not considered a separate colour.

Aside from the colour itself, there are no differences. However, many people will argue for a different case!

Bored Labradors can bark but excessive barking is not generally typical of the breed. Labradors often give a warning bark in response to an unusual event that they feel needs your attention, such as “Hey, who’s that coming into my house?”

Both sexes make good pets. The male Labrador is generally a little larger than the female and that might be an issue for some families.

Hip and elbow dysplasia can be a problem, so be sure to look for breeders who have had their dogs examined and certified by a specialist veterinary surgeon. Responsible breeders also have their dogs examined by a specialist veterinary ophthalmologist to ensure their pups are PRA clear.

You will find a huge range of general information on Labradors on the Internet and at your local library. For more specific and local information you could use Dogs Victoria (Victorian Canine Association) and the Labrador Club of Victoria.