About Your Retriever - FAQ
Labrador Retrievers History
In the early 1800’s Labradors were brought from Newfoundland Island. They
were prized by the English gentry as sporting and waterfowl hunting dogs. The
dogs are descended from the St. John Water dog and Newfoundland breeds. This
early breeding program is considered the ancestors of all modern labs.
Labrador Retrievers are considered the most popular breed of dog in the world. 
General Description
They are friendly, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful family companions. Labrador’s weight ranges from 60-75 pounds and their height runs from 22-24 inches. The typically life span for a Labrador Retriever is 10-16 years.
Golden Retrievers History
The Golden Retriever breed was originally developed in Scotland. As firearms improved in the 1800’s the need for a specialist retriever dog arose. Crossed between a yellow colored retriever and Tweed Water Spaniel, the ancestry of the Golden Retriever is all sporting dog.
General Description
Golden Retrievers weigh from 55-80 pounds and their height ranges from 20-24 inches. Their typical life span is 12-13 years.
General Appearance
The Labrador/Golden Retriever is a strongly built, medium-size dog possessing a sound, athletic, well balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog. It has the ability to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions.
Temperament
The standard of Labrador/Golden Retrievers are good tempered, very agile, excellent nose, soft mouth, keen love of water, adaptable and devoted companion. They are intelligent with a strong will to please with no trace of aggression or shyness.
Crate Training
Crate training is a wonderful training tool and will become a significant milestone in a puppy’s early regimen. Your puppy will learn to accept it's crate happily when introduced the right way, the crate becomes a safe spot when the puppy can not be watched. Should your puppy require time at the veterinarian’s office due to an illness, it will not be additionally stressed if it is placed in a crate during a hospital visit. In addition, the puppy will be much easier to house train if you confine it to a crate when you cannot watch it. Puppies do not want to soil their bed so the puppy will wait until you take it outside to relieve itself. However, do not allow the crate to become a substitute for valuable time spent in play and socializing.
Responsible Ownership
As a responsible owner of a Labrador/Golden Retriever it is important to make sure that your puppy is not only trained, but also supervised. If left outside, your puppy should be in a fenced yard or kennel run, not roaming the neighborhood. Loose dogs run the risk of being hit by a vehicle, causing an accident, annoying the neighbors or even being stolen. Your dog should always be on lead when walking with you unless you are hunting or training.
Training
Basic obedience training is an important part of ownership. It helps to establish a bond between you and your dog and makes him a welcome part of the family. We recommend this training to help the dog learn the fundamentals and move to advanced training for competitions. Training and consistency are the keys to having a well-behaved dog. If you plan to hunt your Retriever, basic obedience training is essential.
Young Dog Needs
- Proper diet
- Regular checkups and inoculations by your veterinarian
- Clean kennels or housing
- Daily exercise
- Regular grooming
- Companionship
- Early training development
- Crate training
- Puppy Socialization
- Obedience Class
Health Care
Veterinarian care is an important part of your responsibility in providing
for your Lab/Retriever. You should have already selected a veterinarian and
had your new puppy examined and an immunization schedule set up. After the
initial immunizations, your puppy should see the veterinarian on an annual
basis for protection against regional health threats and early detection of
debilitating disease. It is important to establish a relationship with a veterinarian
in your area, so he or she can be contacted if an emergency arises.
A good diet is essential for keeping your Labrador /Retriever healthy and strong.
Most commercial foods are well-balanced and palatable. Discuss the options
with your breeder and veterinarian.
To Spay or Neuter
Not all dogs need to be bred to live a happy and fulfilled life. Spayed females and neutered males do not undergo personality changes. They often live longer and healthier lives free from cancer, uterine infections and perianal tumors. Because of the popularity of the retriever, we have the added responsibility of maintaining healthy breeding stock free from hereditary defects and possessing the qualities that makes this breed so versatile. Raising a litter of Labrador or Golden Retrievers involves a significant time commitment and financial investment. The Breed Standard, as well as training and temperament characteristics, are used by conscientious and knowledgeable breeders to evaluate how closely they approach the ideal in producing quality Retrievers. Only Retrievers without known heredity defects or severe temperament flaws should be used as breeding stock. If you know that your intent is to enjoy a long and healthy life with your new puppy without the complications and responsibilities associated with breeding, please consult your veterinarian about an appropriate age for neutering.