The Labrador Retriever is a particularly affectionate breed, loves adults, children and other pets. For the most part, when they reach adulthood, they are quiet and calm. Labradors have initiative ranking above average and are therefore very easy to train. Moreover, it is an outstanding breed in dog shows and agility events. Labradors are happiest when they are in the wild because they were developed for hunting, both on land and fishing at sea. Therefore, they also like swimming. Labradors fill the house with joy and live to serve their families. The Labrador's full name is Labrador Retriever.

Breed History:

Contrary to popular belief, Labradors were developed in the Canadian island of Newfoundland and not in Labrador. The first prototype of the breed was created by crossing a Newfoundland dog with a small water dog, and the Labrador was first known as the Saint John's water dog.

The Duke of Malmesbury was the first to call Labrador by its current name at the beginning of the 19th century. During this period Labradors became popular among members of the British aristocracy who liked to raise them due to their athletic qualities that were useful in hunting.

The Labrador breed as we know it today was developed in 1878 after crossbreeding with different types of retrievers. Fortunately, crossbreeding has not caused Labradors to lose their distinctive features or their popularity.

Labradors were recognized in 1903 by the Labradorite Kennel Club and in 1917 by the American Kennel Club. Today it is still one of the most common breeds.

Meet the Labradors:

Labradors are devoted dogs and can be a wonderful asset to your family. Their friendly nature makes everyone fall in love with them. They are very good around children, guests and other pets. Additionally, they adapt to new conditions easily, as long as they get enough love, warmth and food.

Their body structure is strong, they are energetic and highly intelligent. Their sense of smell is highly developed. Due to all these qualities, they are considered excellent hunters, beyond their ability to serve as police dogs, rescue dogs and guide dogs for the blind.

Although Labradors are amazing dogs, they are not for everyone. They have features that do not suit certain needs of their owners. For example, despite their short coat, they shed a lot of hair. Moreover, their size can be challenging if not tamed properly. Even strong young puppies can knock down small children. Another feature that characterizes the Labrador is a great love for food and a tendency to look for food everywhere. The breeders tend to call them "vacuum cleaners" or "Hoovers". Due to this tendency, their feeding must be monitored to prevent obesity.

Due to their friendly nature, they are not successful guard dogs. So, if you are thinking of fostering a Labrador for protection purposes, you should reconsider. All in all, Labradors are wonderful dogs and excellent pets. They are very friendly to all family members. Give them love and they will repay sevenfold.

Labrador Treatment - A Simple Routine:

Grooming Labradors is simple when done routinely.

Coat - It is highly recommended to brush the Labrador's fur every day, to get rid of dirt and sparse hair during the shedding period. Brushing also helps to remove grease from the fur and helps keep it shiny.

Nails - Trim the Labrador's nails once every three months. You can ask the vet or the dog groomer to do this.

Ears - Check the Labrador's ears often. Labradors are prone to ear infections due to drooping ears that do not allow adequate ventilation.

Teeth - Brush the Labrador's teeth and give him or her preventive care. It is advisable to check the teeth at a vet's clinic.

Exercise - Exercise the dog's muscles to avoid being overweight, which can cause health problems.

Nutrition - Your dog needs a balanced daily diet. Make sure you feed him or her at regular times and avoid giving them human food. Such food may lead to health problems. Consult a vet regarding the type of food and desired amounts.

Drinking - Make sure that your dog's drinking bowl is always full of clean water. The Labrador needs plenty of water, which must be free of dirt and bacteria.

Visits to the vet - Be sure to take your dog for an annual vet checkup. Make sure he or her is vaccinated on time to avoid diseases and worms.

Link: Labradorsavvy.com

Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds today, especially among families. This breed was developed for hunting purposes, and its job is to locate and retrieve game to their owners. They are easy to handle, tolerant and do not require much work on the owner's part. They get along not only with humans but also with other dogs. Although they tend to bark when startled, they're not considered as good guarding dogs because of their friendly nature. Due to this, the Retriever is highly regarded - it is pleasant to be in their company and they bring great pleasure to their surroundings.

The Golden Retriever has many wonderful traits. They make excellent breeding dogs, wonderful pets, loyal hunting dogs and obedient competitors in dog shows. Golden Retriever owners will enjoy an excellent dog with high skills and potential.

The Golden Retriever has a calm and relaxed nature and is very affectionate. On top of that, they are easy to train, highly intelligent and great companions. Their nature ranges from gentleness to stubbornness, and therefore its taming requires understanding and knowing when to use the right technique to achieve the desired results. They reach physical and mental maturity at the age of eighteen months. Golden Retrievers are loyal to their owners and are great with children of all ages. They make good guard dogs because they tend to bark loudly, thus notifying of any stranger approaching.

Like other dogs, the Golden Retriever sheds hair throughout the year and especially during springtime. Like Labrador Retrievers, they enjoy staying near water. If you have a body of water on your property or near you, you will probably find your Golden wading in it. They tend to get wet or muddy, which might frustrate the owners.

A dog of this breed can be the companion you always wanted. He or she can join you in various activities, such as outdoor trips, camping and walks. The Goldens love to be outside, leave the house and participate in various activities with the family. If you share these activities with your Golden, you are sure to win a friend for life as you grow to love each other more and more over time.

link: Golden Retriver Club of Americe

German Shepherd

Breed History:

The German Shepherd originates in a late 19^th century breeding program, in which several breeds of European shepherd dogs were hybridized to protect farms in Europe from wild animals that preyed on sheep and cattle. After several generations of crossbreeding, the German Shepherd was born, and the breed closely resembles today's German Shepherd, commonly known as a Wolf Dog. This breed is considered one of the best working dogs because they're quick learners and easy to train for a variety of roles, from attack, through probing, guarding, guiding and finding missing people in ruins. Today the German Shepherd is a breed used in various roles in most of the world's armies.

Country of Origin:

Germany.

Personality:

The German shepherd is a very loyal and smart dog with high initiative, physically strong, characterized by medium to high energy and is endowed with a good memory. Due to these qualities, leadership abilities and high physical abilities are required on the part of its owner. They are easy to train but require consistency to achieve accurate and correct results.

Role and Vocation:

The uniqueness of this breed is in its ability to work independently and without prior training. Many dogs of this breed are known to have worked in herding and guarding with little to no training at all. The German Shepherd is the best guard dog in the world. They are very strong and have particularly high initiative, which is why they are in great demand as police dogs.

Tips:

German Shepherds require a lot of practice and movement, and therefore need caretakers strong enough to handle them. They need warmth and human connection as well. Those ready for the physical and emotional investment can expect to be rewarded with a faithful and reliable dog who is happily ready to fulfill any role. They can live in the backyard, but ideally, they flourish when living closely with a family.

Description:

This is a dog with spectacular movement that to the onlooker looks effortless. As working dogs, they must be at a high mental level, alert, loyal, reliable, patient and diligent. They are easy to train, show willingness and eagerness and be sharp, but under control. The German Shepherd must be vital, without getting out of control. They can develop high running speed and have high endurance. The German Shepherd reaches maturity at the age of two.

link: wiki/German_Shepherd