What is the difference between a golden retriever and a labrador and who is better. How to tell a Labrador from a Golden Retriever

Initially, the Labrador and the Golden Retriever were bred to help hunters. They are currently companion dogs. Let's compare and determine how these breeds differ.

Similarities

The same traits of character, behavior and appearance are due to the hunting past of both breeds.

1. Animals are quite large. They have proportionate physique. The limbs are strong and muscular. Broad-browed head with hanging ears.
2. A characteristic feature is the "soft mouth" - a slight bite when the object is compressed without damage.
3. Both varieties are known for their tolerant and friendly attitude towards people and other animals.

Differences

Despite the distant similarity in the exterior and body proportions, the breeds have significant differences.

In the photo, the differences between representatives of the Golden Retriever and Labrador breeds are best seen.

Dogs show their feelings in different ways. The Labrador is known for his emotionality and openness. His feelings are immediately visible. Golden does not show his mood so openly. He tries to keep calm and impassive.

At the same time, the golden retriever is sensitive to the well-being of a person. He empathizes with the mood of the owner and tries to demonstrate this with his appearance. Labradors are not inclined to go into the subtleties of psychological analysis. They defuse the situation in their own way, involving others in noisy fun.

Goldens ideal partners for phlegmatic people, and Labradors will be more comfortable in the company of choleric people.

"Golden" dog diligently ponders further actions, and his opponent is used to acting spontaneously. By degree intellectual abilities both breeds are in the top ten most intelligent canids:

• labrador in 4th place;
• golden in 7th place.

Labradors are native to Canada. They come from a local breed of "diver" that helped fishermen and hunters. big dogs they pulled nets, brought shot waterfowl, and carried sleds.

Golden Retrievers were needed to accompany aristocratic hunters during hunting. To prevent the owner from accidentally shooting his pet, preference was given to animals with a “golden” color. Currently, they are often used to search for drugs and explosives. They also become lifeguards and guides.

What breed of dog do you like best?

This breed attracts attention and enjoys great love of dog breeders. The Labrador Retriever (eng. - labrador retriever) is distinguished by high efficiency, beautiful appearance, good disposition and ideal companion qualities - these dogs of this are true and devoted friends, can become excellent universal workers in the household.

History of occurrence

In translation, the name is interpreted as "hard worker", which is explained by the industriousness inherent in the dog. In addition, a four-legged pet is characterized by a high attachment to the owner. There are several main versions of the origin:

1. Named after the Labrador Peninsula in eastern Canada.
2. The dog was first seen on the island of Newfoundland, in the northeast of North America.
3. The ancestor was the dogs of the island of Newfoundland and the Labrador Peninsula, the animal itself appeared in the province of Canada.

The first representatives had an exclusively black coat color and, perhaps, they were named after labradorite, a stone that is mined in Canada. Experts are inclined to believe that the modern type of labrador retriever originated from dogs from the central regions of Newfoundland. With the development of navigation, dogs began to be delivered to other countries. It is known that the early ancestors of Labradors also had working skills and actively helped people in hunting, guarding goods, and companionship.

The origin of heredity, including good physical and intellectual data, also has several hypotheses. Breeders distinguish the following maximum probable variants of progenitors:

• water dogs from Newfoundland;
• ancient canids brought to the island by the Vikings;
• spitz-shaped, which lived among the natives of North America.

What is the difference between a Labrador Retriever and a Labrador Retriever?

Both representatives of St. John's are very popular among dog breeders, and ordinary people often confuse them because of their strong resemblance to each other. However, the Golden Retriever and the Labrador have many differences. The difference between them lies in the following features:

1. Different "social" position. The Retriever was bred by the Scottish Lord Tweedmouth, who devoted half of his life to breeding this breed. The Golden Labrador Retriever, according to the main version, is a descendant of Indian dogs that lived in a fishing village on the island of Newfoundland. In winter, they helped pull the sleds, in the summer - fishing nets.
2. Different appearance. The Labrador is more squat, compact, strong. About the retriever, we can say that it is harmoniously built, more proportional and slender. The color is also different: the retriever's coat can have any color. golden hues(from light wheaten to brown). The relative has a richer palette of colors: there are almost white, fawn, golden, brown and even black individuals. Unlike a retriever with silky hair, a Labrador has a short coat and is covered with a well-tangible, specific coating. Not everyone likes to iron it. It has a rigid, elastic structure, the length of the awn does not exceed 5 cm. The Golden Retriever has a more beautiful, long and soft coat, often with a slight wave. In addition to dense short vegetation, Labradors also differ in the shape of the tail, which is thickened at the base and narrowed towards the end. The retriever has a feather-shaped tail, adorned with a wool suspension.
3. Behavior. Labradors are more friendly, emotional and straightforward. Retrievers are reserved, impressionable, sometimes touchy. However, such traits are optional and depend on upbringing and living conditions.

Description of the breed

The average size animal is optimally adapted for a house or apartment. Compactness, in addition, is a plus for rescue, search, guide work and hunting. The standard description contains information about such innate qualities, as intuitiveness, the ability to learn quickly, diligence, attachment to a person. There are several standards, including English, American and International, which have slight differences. The following description is focused on the latest standard.

External Data

Not one of the big ones. Wide and strong bones and a large skull, which are protected by well-developed muscles and dense coat. The pet is characterized by tirelessness, dexterity, soft mouth. Body weight according to the first FCI standard has not been established, since proportionality is considered more important. General recommendations for an adult they look like this: the average weight for males is 29-36 kg and 25-32 kg for females. Standard height varies from 50 to 57 cm.

Standard

The head is broad, wedge-shaped, with clear lines and no loose skin. At the same time, the forehead protrudes slightly and has a vertical furrow of medium depth, which reaches the bridge of the nose. The superciliary arches are not heavy, but pronounced, the cheekbones and cheeks are flat, taut, without folds. The bridge of the nose is flat, slightly narrowed towards the lobe. The jaw is round, neat, the teeth are of proportional size and fit closely together. The bottom row of incisors is completely hidden by the top row, so that the pet has a scissor bite.

The nose is wide with open nostrils, the color of the nose does not differ from the tone of the coat, in fawn dogs it is brown. The eyes are brown and almond shaped. The eyelids are pigmented, the lower one has a dense structure, the upper one is a small amount of skin that is involved in facial expressions. The look is smart, friendly, calm.

The shape of the ears is classic triangular with a rounded tip, while the hearing organs are of medium size and wide fit, closer to the back of the head. The cartilage at rest is lowered to the cheeks; if the animal is interested in something, it is turned forward and raised. Body rectangular shape, the build is strong. The neck is distinguished by a medium set, it is even, wide and not too long.

The hunting dog has a relatively wide, maximally deep chest. Back slightly elongated shape, withers and loins are moderately pronounced. When viewed from above, it is noticeable how the body narrows slightly from the top to the hips. The limbs are strong, relatively thick, with strong, not visually pronounced joints. The front legs are in a vertical position relative to the ground, the shoulders are strong and long.

Groin area without loose skin. The hind legs are set a little wider than the front ones, pulled over the line of the croup. The brushes are collected in a ball, the fingers are well matched, the nails are thick and strong, as a rule, in the tone of the coat. The paw pads are covered with elastic, tight skin, pigmented to match the color of the nose. The tail is of medium length, thickened at the base and tapering towards the end, outwardly resembling the tail of an otter.

coat color

The coat is dense. Even puppies are covered with dense awn adjacent to the body. In adults, the coat is coarser, but has not lost its elasticity. After the fourth molt, a dense, waterproof undercoat appears. There are three main colors:

• brown (there are chocolate, red-brown);
• black;
• wheat (from fox red to fawn and ivory).

character

They love water, are considered one of the smartest dogs, because they have excellent learning abilities. Big advantage for families with children is complete absence aggression. Good character, devotion to a person, affectionate disposition, poise, hard work make them desirable members large families The that contains the farm.

Both according to the standard and according to the reviews of the owners, the characteristics of Labradors are extremely positive. They are great as hunters, however they will not prey on a house cat or parrot. The four-legged pet gets along well with other representatives of the canine world. cohabitation or on walks. Children are also treated friendly and loyal. The four-legged friend will dutifully endure excessive childhood love and make sure that the baby does not get into trouble.

An absurd character can manifest itself only during a deep immersion in the hunting process or when playing with an aport. In this case, the subject interfering with the animal may be barked or, in last resort, bitten if there is a need to defend. As a rule, aggression unusual for the breed occurs against the background of internal complexes, which should be eliminated by achieving success.

Innate intelligence helps to successfully master various professions - a nanny, a rescuer, a policeman, a guide, etc. They are devoted to a person, easily obey and are one of the best service breeds. Its representatives can easily recognize emotional condition human beings tend to empathize and empathize. Animals treat people for depression, being attentive, understanding, sociable friends.

This breed is ideal for large families. Pets love guests and express dissatisfaction when they have to see someone off; gladly participates in any family activities and is hard going through loneliness. The peculiarity is that one cannot make a defender or watchman out of them. This is due to friendliness towards a person and the inability to harm. The only thing a four-legged is capable of is to scare with a loud bark.

Unique abilities

The Labrador Retriever is designed to serve humans, not prone to aggressive behavior, and hunting talents are combined with friendliness to people and other pets. This combination of character traits, along with a large number of talents, makes them indispensable in many services. Animals can play the following roles:

1. Hunter. They have long been used as gun dogs, capable of bringing downed game from thickets or water, chasing a hare, and hunting a larger animal. This breed has the gift of not damaging things, carrying them in his teeth, which provides a special structure of the jaws (a quadruped can bring a raw egg without crushing the shell).
2. Guide. Retrievers are trained in such a profession as "guide of the blind." The breed does not conflict with people and other animals, behaves calmly on a walk and is well trained.
3. Rescuer in the mountains and in the water. Humanity, a keen sense of smell, the ability to swim and physical strength - ideal qualities to work as a rescue assistant. Dogs of this breed serve in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, participate in rescue operations to search for missing people.
4. Psychological support for patients. The ability for empathy and empathy made the dog ideal for treating depression and other mental illnesses.
5. Customs work. According to the results of a three-year study, representatives of the breed are ideal for service in customs.

How to choose

Purchasing a pet important point demanding maximum responsibility. It is important to take into account the opinion of all family members, living conditions, financial position and allergies to animal fur. It is better to take a puppy from the kennel at the age of 6-8 weeks, when he will have already formed communication skills, and the four-legged will be able to adequately perceive the people around him.

If you want to get a purebred animal, you should not take a puppy from your hands, since there are no guarantees that it does not have vices. The breed is a good friend for the whole family due to its friendliness, patience, trainability. However, in order not to miscalculate the choice, having received a naughty, absurd dog or an animal with pathological abnormalities, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

1. It is recommended to take a puppy from home, which will allow you to communicate with at least one of the parents of the animal. Labradors inherit a good temperament, so it is important that the parents of the chosen baby demonstrate a friendly, calm disposition, while not having aggression towards strangers or other animals.
2. Buy only from reputable breeders and be prepared to wait as healthy individuals with a good pedigree quickly find new house. Expecting a new litter, you have time to get acquainted with the pedigree of the parent dogs in more detail, look for reviews about a particular kennel.
3. When you come for a dog, pay attention to the behavior of the puppies in the litter. It is better to abandon a too apathetic or, conversely, aggressive animal. It should be noted that after eating all the puppies look sleepy, so you need to clarify when they had lunch.
4. The four-legged should look healthy, well-fed and strong. good friend there will be a dog that stands out for its active, friendly demeanor. The puppy will be ready to play with you and show interest in your movements.
5. The body of the puppy should be compact, while having a wide chest, a strong tail of medium length, a wide backside. When lifting a puppy, it should be heavier than it looks.
6. The bite must be correct, as crooked teeth will not improve with age. The teeth of a healthy animal are white, and the gums are pink, without dark spots.
7. The eyes should be dark, clean, clear. Purulent discharge indicates infection.
8. Ears of medium size, clean, without bad smell, scratches, any discharge. Keep in mind that in babies, the ears are often darker than the body, and the color of the hearing organs shows what color the coat will be. adult dog.
9. Be sure to check the anus area: there should be no dirt, irritation or discharge. Make sure that the male testicles are lowered into the scrotum.
10. The health of the dog is evidenced by a clean skin covering. Eliminate the presence of dandruff, swelling, seals. The baby's coat is smooth, thick, shiny, without scuffs, does not shed.
11. When choosing a four-legged friend, be sure to observe how he moves, whether the joints work well.

Where can I buy

To buy a purebred representative with her inherent qualities, it is better to contact a special club (nursery), where professionals work. In Moscow and St. Petersburg, a dog can be purchased at:

• nursery "Inamorato", Moscow;
• nursery "Gold Crown", Moscow;
• from the breeders "Olli Alen", St. Petersburg.

How much do puppies cost

No one sells puppies earlier than 1.5 months, especially breeders with a good reputation. At the same time, the cost of a dog that has the stigma of a kennel, a pedigree and all documents varies in Russia from 30 to 65 thousand rubles. This range of prices is due to the class. You can buy a purebred baby for 10-12 thousand rubles, but he will not have a puppy card. Labradors, which are sold at a significantly lower price through private listings, are a "pig in a poke", since no guarantee of belonging to the breed can be obtained.

Features of education

Training can be entrusted to a child older than 10-12 years. This breed is recommended as a family and first pet. She easily learns new tricks and commands. A well-trained pet will have no equal on a flyball or agility field. Also train bikejoring as the breed has the skills of a draft dog. Do not forget about freestyle, where you can achieve excellent results. Excellent trainability gives the owner the opportunity to choose any method of training, including:

• upbringing at home (you will need special literature, other materials on modern methods of training, patience);
• classes with a trainer or in a group (the best option for beginner dog breeders);
• boarding training (the animal is given to the owner already trained, as a rule, it is applied to guide dogs).

No biting

Puppies love to bite, which should be stopped from the first months of life. Breeders strongly recommend that owners teach the “no biting” command. At the same time, you need to be very careful when giving a lick to your hand, because babies have very sharp teeth. When playing with your dog, squeal and relax your hand (so that it seems to go limp) every time the baby bites your finger or hand. When the puppy releases you, you should ignore him for 10-20 seconds, then resume the game again.

It is important not to free your hand from the dog's mouth yourself, but to wait until he does it himself, otherwise you can provoke the hunting instinct and exacerbate the biting problem. If the squeal does not give the expected effect, you can replace it with a loud exclamation of “Oh!” or something similar. Such educational process do not repeat more than three times in 15 minutes. When the limit is over, leave the gameplay for a while. This will teach the puppy that rough biting stops the game.

This type of pet is adapted to city life, so care and maintenance can be provided both in a private house and in an apartment. The area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises for living is not as important as the presence physical activity. A slow walk in the park is not suitable for them, the animal needs active outdoor games. Perfect option- periodically go to nature, where there is a reservoir, to swim. There is nothing special about the care rules, but there are a few nuances that owners need to know.

Sleeping place in the house

Not each of us is able to build an aviary for our four-legged friend, however, the versatility of this breed makes its care and maintenance affordable for both a private house and an apartment. Bringing the puppy home, you need to immediately show him sleeping area. It is better to arrange a sunbed in the corner of the room, away from heating appliances. The flooring should be made of a rigid material that does not roll off when fidgeting (a piece of old carpet or carpet is perfect). For this purpose, you can knit a thick rug from long fabric patches.

The bedding should be cleaned daily, and the floor under it should be wiped with a damp cloth. During molting, these procedures are repeated twice a day. Wash the rug and carry out wet cleaning using detergents no more than once a week. If you have a bitch, cleaning should be done more often during estrus, as the bedding and floor become dirty, although many dogs are very clean in this matter.

How to care for wool

This species has a short coat, so it is easy to care for. Every day you need to comb the dog with a rubber brush that removes loose hairs. Such a massage improves blood circulation and activates the renewal of a new cover. During the molting period, it is recommended to comb the animal several times a day, starting from the paws and rising to the body and neck. Regular, proper combing improves appearance and delivers to the pet great pleasure.

Bathing

Wash your four-legged friend should not be more than once every 1-2 months. In this case, only running water can be used. If the pet is very dirty, use a special shampoo that preserves the fatty film. Be sure to monitor the condition of the ears, cleaning them with a cloth moistened with boric alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, as they get dirty.

The nails are trimmed with a special claw cutter, and it is important not to damage the inner tissue. In a fawn-colored dog, it is clearly visible, and in a dark one, the procedure is performed with the utmost care. An alternative to clipping is to walk a lot with your pet over rough terrain or asphalt, then the claws themselves are erased to desired length. If you inadvertently injure the internal tissue of the claw, contact your veterinarian.

Active walks and training

Education includes a mandatory obedience course, after which the pet can be taught any special skills. Retrievers are different high level intelligence and well trained. It is necessary to highlight the following features of training:

• very playful and active, so the best form of education would be a game;
• the exercise will be perfectly performed many times if each approach is stimulated by treats, this species famous for its love of sweets;
• during training, you can not intimidate or show excessive severity, otherwise the pet will become cowardly.

Retrievers have a strong need for movement because they were bred to hunt. Contact with the owner is extremely important, active walks provide the animal with such closeness. Outdoor games are needed not only to form a good mood, but also to maintain health. In the absence of a suitable company for games on the walking area, the owner should take over the partner function. The perfect view The load for the dog is swimming, in which all muscles work, and the load on the joints is minimal.

What to feed

The main factor affecting health is nutrition. Labradors need a properly composed diet, otherwise the dog will gradually lose physical health, as evidenced by falling hair, weak teeth and claws. When choosing natural feeding, you need to determine whether you will heat treat the products. To resolve this issue, it is better to consult a veterinarian. In any case, the four-legged menu should be balanced in carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Follow these proportions:

• carbohydrates - 3-5 g / kg of body weight;
• meat products - 10-15 g / kg of weight;
• fats - 1-2 g / kg of weight.

Sources of protein will serve as meat, offal, dairy products, eggs, fish. Carbohydrates can be obtained from crackers and cereals; fats from dairy products and vegetable oil. The recommended food is:

• beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, offal, which can be given raw or boiled;
• sea ​​fish without bones;
• cereals, excluding barley;
• black bread crackers;
• eggs (yolks), dairy products, including kefir, not sour cottage cheese;
• cabbage, beets, zucchini, carrots, chopped pumpkin (vegetables can be seasoned with vegetable oil).

To avoid the development of health problems, the dog's diet should not include prohibited foods:

• spicy, sour, salty dishes;
• flour products;
• roast;
• hot or very cold food;
• canned food, pickles;
• tubular bones;
• sweets;
• beans;
• pasta made from white flour;
• sausages.

Health and genetic diseases

Average term life is 10-12 years. Such a relatively short duration is explained by a high propensity for cancer. The rapidly growing popularity has had a negative impact on genetics. Good choice a puppy is half the guarantee of raising a healthy pet, so you shouldn't buy it from spontaneous or unverified sellers. Retrievers are prone to the following diseases:

1. Arthrosis of the knee, hip dysplasia. In mild form, the dog suffers from lameness, in severe form - pain syndrome makes it impossible for him to walk.
2. Retinal atrophy. Pathology leads to severe deterioration or complete loss of vision. The disease proceeds painlessly.
3. Oncological diseases: lymphoma, mastocytoma, lymphosarcoma, mastocytosis, etc.
4. Atopic dermatitis. Symptoms - itching, rash, the formation of small lesions of the skin, scales.
5. Epilepsy. It occurs due to DNA disorders, manifested by convulsions, tremors, spasms. A quadruped can choke on saliva, swallow its tongue, or suffer a heart attack.

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Video

Let's take a look at such a group of dog breeds as retrievers today. What are these dogs? Who are they suitable for? How to train retrievers? And what is their character?

Why were these dogs bred?

They were bred to bring dead game. They had to carefully find a wounded animal (beaten game) and, without damaging it, bring the owner a completely whole prey. That is, they have an innate soft mouth - very carefully takes prey and brings it (an innate desire to apport - to bring thrown objects). They have a very developed instinct. They love water. Basically, all retrievers love to swim and love to swim.

By nature, retrievers are very kind and sensitive dogs. For centuries, dogs have been bred without aggression, gentle at home, tireless on the hunt.

They are finely tuned to the owner, to work with him.

These qualities are now appreciated in them - they are easily trained and love to work with the owner. Therefore, these dogs have become one of the most beloved and popular in our time. They are used not just as companions, but also to work at customs, as a drug searcher, as a rescue dog, as a guide ..

But!! They are not guards, these dogs have been fixed for centuries good relations to people, and it is very difficult to make them bite someone, growl at someone. They adore children, so they are ideal dogs for those people who want a family companion with a child.

Now let's look at the differences between the most common dog breeds - Golden Retrievers and Labradors. Many people often confuse them and call them the same breed. In fact, there is a huge difference between them. Yes, they are both retrievers, they are very kind, they are made to bring game. But that's where the similarity ends.

Even starting with the appearance, they are very different ...

The Labrador has three colors: fawn, black, chocolate. And golden has only one. It can be from white to dark dark red.

The Labrador has a double coat that does not let water through, while the Golden has a soft, silky, flowing, beautiful coat.

They are very different in structure. Just look at the photo below and you will understand =)

And most importantly, they are very different in character.

I liked the comparison read on the Internet that Labradors are the so-called football players. They are active, bright, emotional, they go ahead. These are dogs that express emotions very openly and vividly. They are suitable for people who are active, like to play sports, walk a lot.

And Goldens are Poets, they are a little more calm and dreamy. It is easier with them, they are more thoughtful, more tender. If the labre goes straight, then the golden will make a detour, He is more calm.

They also like to play, they are mobile, but they are not such a fountain of energy as Labradors

That is, when you choose a dog, think - if you are very active, impulsive, like to play sports, go hiking, like to play football, or just prefer active games Get yourself a Labrador, you can't go wrong.

But if you are softer, more gentle and you have small children - take golden - he is gentler, he feels a person more subtle, he is more thoughtful. A golden smile is just something.

There is one caveat - the golden hair must be looked after, combed, cut, so that the dog looks neat

And wool, by the way, is shed from one and from the second dog in the same way.

You will have to clean and care for this dog a lot anyway.

As for health: dogs are generally very healthy. They are bred as healthy dogs and besides hereditary diseases that you should be aware of, that is: dysplasia hip joints and several other diseases. When you adopt a puppy, make sure the parents are tested to be free of these hereditary diseases.

As you already understood, these are ideal companion dogs, which are very easy to teach, which are active, mobile, will work with you with pleasure, will accompany you on all walks.

There are also other breeds of retrievers. They are rare in our lives. This is a Curly-Coated Retriever, this is a Nova Scotia, Flat-Coated. About them, if you want to know more, you can read on the Internet or ask breeders. It's just that there are very few of them and they are turned on by those people who understand why they take these breeds of dogs.

Currently, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most prestigious breeds in the world. Admirers of the breed are not only politicians, but also movie stars.

Labrador retriever is universally recognized perfect dog for the family, since the virtues include not only an aristocratic external description.

But also stable and unshakable nervous system, ease of communication, education and care.

For those who have not yet decided on the breed pet, it is worth finding out the main difference between them.

First, they differ in social origin and character. These are working dogs, relatives of Indian dogs living in villages on the island of Newfoundland.

In the summer they were engaged in fishing (they pulled nets, killed game from the water), and in the winter they were harnessed to sleds.

The Golden Retriever was bred in England by a Scottish lord. Although they, like Labradors, hunters by nature, they belong to a privileged breed, more affectionate and docile.

Secondly, the difference between and a Labrador is more obvious if they are placed side by side, given the same tasks when playing, training or hunting.

They react differently both to external natural factors (noise, rain) and to the commands given: the Labrador performs the task without delay, and the Retriever approaches any issue with caution.

The main visible differences are in the color and features of the coat, the exterior of the tail and the size of the dogs.

The color of a golden retriever can only be in golden variations (from dull to rich, reddish gilding). While Labradors can be both red and black, various shades of chocolate and brown tones.

The coat of the Golden Retriever is much longer and softer, requiring more painstaking care. The Labrador also has an oily coating on the coat, characteristic of waterfowl.

The tail of a golden retriever is shaped like a feather (with a so-called dewlap), in a Labrador it is covered with short, dense hair.

In an excited state, the tail is at an angle of 90 degrees to the back, while in the retriever it acts as a continuation of the back and only sometimes rises above its level.

The difference between them also lies in their size: the first is more massive than the retriever, has a larger head.

This breed of dog is quite in demand among retrievers because of its high performance, fast learning and ease of care.

This breed is also called the "King of Retrievers". In the standard, only the approximate weight of the dogs is written. For judges, a well-coordinated ratio of mass, height and exterior of a Labrador is important.

The breed standard specifies the following characteristics:

Height in males up to 61 cm, weight - 40 kg (in females up to 58 cm and 32 kg, respectively);

the head is large, of medium length, wide, without massive cheekbones. The eyes are small, oval in shape, not too deep set.

Eye color is represented by shades of brown (from hazel to dark chocolate), black is also acceptable. Ears - hanging, close to the head. The jaw is massive, but at the same time soft, with a correct bite.

The neck is strong, lean, well planted in the shoulders. Rib cage wide enough: a man's palm can freely pass between the front paws.

The bones of the front paws are strong and straight; the hindquarters are also well developed, there is no inclination of the croup to the tail. The knee joints have excellent angles that give a good push when moving.

The coat of the Labrador Retriever is short, thick, rather hard to the touch.

The following color variations are allowed:

• ginger;
• chocolate;
• black.

Red color can be presented from light cream to fiery red; chocolate - from the color of milk chocolate to bitter. Permissible medium-sized white spot on the chest.

Friendly nature, they are quite agile and active. A dog of this breed has a quick reaction, excellent sense of smell, excellent swimming skills; characterized by assertiveness and steadfastness in the performance of tasks.

An unsurpassed sense of smell and indomitable curiosity led to the fact that dogs are used in the process of searching for drugs and explosives.

During emergencies, they act as rescuers, helping to find living people in a destroyed building.

Also, they, being by nature good swimmers, help search and rescue organizations in work on the water. When describing abilities, talents and amazing qualities of character, it cannot be overestimated.

It should not be in the passage area or near heating appliances. For these purposes, the cell is most suitable. small pet will feel comfortable and secure.

In addition, the cage is an excellent method of teaching the rules of behavior in the house. So that the dog does not cause trouble to the owners in the form of damaged shoes, torn wallpapers and other things, he must have his own toys.

It is also worth paying attention to the hiding of electrical wires in the room.

They should not contain metal components. Books and other things, shoes should not be left in sight of the pet, as an inquisitive Labrador will not hesitate to play with such objects.

Toilet training

To facilitate pet care and maintenance at home, you should accustom him to cleanliness from the first days of his appearance in the house.

To do this, in the early stages, it is necessary to cover the entire floor with newspapers and follow where he goes to the toilet.

Over time, the puppy gets used to going to the same place, where the owner can leave special absorbent diapers.

Walking on fresh air start 14 days after the secondary immunization. It is necessary to go for a morning walk immediately after the first feeding.. So the puppy will get used to endure and go to the toilet only on the street.

Teaching nail care should be early age. Nail trimming should be a fairly quick procedure, and for calm behavior, the puppy should be rewarded with a treat.

When feeding with natural food, the basis (50%) of the diet is lean meat products.

25% falls on cereals (barley, buckwheat, rice) and 25% on vegetables that have undergone preliminary heat treatment (zucchini, tomatoes, carrots, beets).

The menu should contain fermented milk products of low fat content (kefir, cottage cheese).

First mating

A physically mature dog is considered to be 30 months old, the first mating in females is recommended not earlier than 20 months.

At least a month before the mating process, you should undergo a deworming procedure, which prevents the likelihood of infection with helminths during pregnancy.

Three hours before mating partners need to be fed and walked.

The cable in a familiar environment feels more confident, so the owner of the cable should prepare the room for the knitting process (a muzzle, petroleum jelly and a bowl of clean water are also needed).

The knitting process is carried out in two ways:

• free;
• manual.

Even in free form, the bribery must take place under the supervision of the owner. The presence of a specialist is recommended at the first mating of one of the pets.

The process consists of several stages: flirting, the male determines the level of the bitch's desire, mating, mating. In case of ineffectual excessive fuss of the cable, it is necessary to give it a break to rest.

Photo gallery

It is easy enough for an inexperienced dog lover to confuse a non-black Labrador with a retriever. A little confusion lies in the very names of the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever. So what is the difference, let's look at the photo below.

There are significant differences between the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever breeds, despite the fact that both dogs are similar in appearance.

The Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever are included in the same dog group. Dogs of both breeds have many physical similarities, which is why some people believe that the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever are identical. In fact, this is not so, since each breed has its own characteristics, although General characteristics Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever have.

History of the origin of breeds

According to the FCI standard, the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever belong to the same variety: the first class of the eighth group of retrievers. Dogs of both breeds - gunnery and companionable. However, the goals of breeding the breeds were different, despite the same country of origin of the dogs.

Both the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever first appeared in the UK. Labradors were brought here in the nineteenth century from the Canadian island of Newfoundland. In Canada, Labradors were put on a par with the Newfoundland breed, or diver.

Labrador Retriever became famous as an ideal swimmer and diver. In Canada, the country of origin of the breed, dogs of this breed helped to get fishing nets. Also, the Labrador Retriever gained fame as an intelligent and fast hunter, since it was he who managed to accurately track down and quickly bring the shot game.

The Golden Retriever was bred as a hunting dog that was supposed to bring a bird killed by hunters. The breed was bred by the Scottish Lord Tweedmouth. The selection took several decades, since the main goal of Tweedmouth was to breed hunting dogs with a pronounced golden coat color. Due to this feature, the Golden Retriever was supposed to stand out against the background of peat bogs.

Today, dogs of both breeds are practically not used for hunting. But both the Golden Retriever and the Labrador have become famous as guides and rescuers. Today, without these dogs, it is impossible to imagine canistherapy prescribed for people suffering from cerebral palsy, autism, depression and other diseases of the central nervous system. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are the best helpers police and customs officers. Both breeds have a keen sense of smell that even the German Shepherd does not have.

Common features and differences

Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever are noticeably different from each other. appearance. However, dogs of both breeds have almost the same height at the withers and weight:

1. Labrador retriever: male weight varies from 27 to 40 kg, females - 27-35 kg. The height at the withers for a male is 56-60 cm, for a female - 54-60 cm.
2. Golden Retriever: male weight varies from 26 to 42 kg, females - 25-37 kg. The height at the withers for a male is 56-61 cm, for a female - 51-56 cm.

General characteristics:

• dogs of both breeds have a head proportional to the body with a wide forehead;
• hanging ears are a common feature;
• bite "scissors.

A common feature of both breeds is a soft mouth. This means that a dog can bring a fragile item into its mouth without distributing it. Breeders have been working on this characteristic for many years in a row - a soft mouth allows dogs to bring game without damaging it.

Despite the fact that Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers have identical physical parameters, the representatives of the latter breed look more refined, because their bones are not as powerful as those of the Labrador Retriever.

Dogs of both breeds differ significantly from each other in their coat. So, the Labrador Retriever has a straight coat. average length- about 5 cm. It is hard and smooth to the touch. Also, the Labrador has a thick undercoat. Waves and tows are disqualifying vices.

The Six Golden Retriever, on the other hand, is long, thin and wavy. The undercoat is pronounced, dense. The chest, paws, tail and neck are covered with wavy hair.

The Labrador Retriever is a dog that comes in three colors: black, chocolate and fawn. As for the golden retrievers, the representatives of this breed, as the name implies, have a golden color, and its tone varies from cream to wheat.

The tail of the Golden Retriever has a special feather-like shape and a pronounced dewlap, while the tail of the Labrador is thick at the base, tapering towards the bottom.

Character

Despite the external similarity, both dogs have a completely different characters. The Golden Retriever is a loyal, meek and sedate dog that will never show obsession with a person or other pets. Also, the golden retriever is considered one of the breeds recommended for families with children.

The Labrador Retriever is a more mobile and active dog. She is also devoted to her master, but more often, in comparison with the Golden Retriever, she demonstrates disobedience. The Labrador is more emotional than the Retriever, so this the dog will do active people with a strong character.

The Golden Retriever is easier to train than its "relative" Labrador, so the former are more often trained as guides and border guard assistants.

Care

Caring for a Labrador is not much different from caring for a Golden Retriever. Dogs of both breeds need a quality, calorie-restricted diet, as both Golden Retrievers and Labradors are prone to obesity.

Due to the hanging shape of the ears, representatives of both breeds are prone to otitis, which causes increased attention to the condition of the ears.

When it comes to coat care, Golden Retrievers need more thorough coat hygiene. Dogs of this breed have long, curly hairs, which, with insufficient care, become tangled, forming tangles. To maintain the beauty of the pet's coat, it must be combed out regularly with a furminator. Also, the Golden Retriever, unlike the Labrador, needs grooming that meets the breed standard.

Dogs of both breeds are considered to be among the most intelligent and friendly to humans, so it is impossible to say for sure who is better: the Labrador Retriever or the Golden Retriever.