Labrador retriever: breed, character and care
A breed called a straight-tailed retriever(Flat-Coated Retriever) belongs to the hunting group. But thanks to their stamina, unpretentiousness and very friendly and cheerful disposition, these dogs feel great in urban conditions.
Breed description
The standard size of a straight-haired retrieverit is considered the height at the withers from 56 to 62 cm and weight 27-30 kg. The constitution is dense, without excessive unwieldiness. Characteristic features are a broad chest, a straight back, a graceful neck and a peculiar type of head. The ears are small, the straight tail is held at the level of the back.
Coat Retriever - the owner of a luxuriouswool. It is quite dense, shiny, on the neck of the males is longer, forming a kind of mane. A straight smooth coat is one of the characteristics of the breed, only a small waviness is allowed. Color can be purely black or liver.
Despite its elegant and aristocraticappearance, these dogs have always been valued as workers. They were used in English estates to serve as assistants to rangers. Combining a high intellect with a hunting instinct and endurance, the straight-legged retriever flat is today a universal breed. From it you can raise an excellent service dog (guide, lifeguard, etc.), a hunter and just a great companion.
Origin
The history of the breed, in which, in the opinionspecialists, the blood of different kinds of dogs (Scottish collies and setters, spaniels and others) is combined, it began with the island of Newfoundland. But its final formation took place in England. The first representative of the hairless retriever was presented at the exhibition in 1860. Further selection led to changes in the coat, which became more dense and waterproof. At the beginning of the last century, the number of purebred dogs exceeded one hundred.
Became unusually popular in the huntingmedium breed kept its positions for a long time. And only at the beginning of the twentieth century it began to supplant the golden retrievers and labradors. Today, interest in the breed straight-hair retriever (photos presented in this article) began to grow again.
Character
These dogs are distinguished by an unusual mind anddiscipline. They remain cheerful and very energetic for a long time, but become more balanced and mature as they grow up. Although this does not prevent them from showing a constant willingness to play and hunt. The combination of a strong nervous system with high intelligence provides a good learning flates. They quickly master the team and with pleasure fulfill all the instructions of the owner.
The friendly nature of a straight-haired retriever makes it possible to keep it in a family where there are small children. Quite calmly, he applies to pets living next to him.
Features of the content
This breed is perfectly adapted to living inurban conditions. Due to their unpretentiousness, dogs do not require any special care. It should only be taken into account when setting up in the retreat's apartment that he needs regular long walks. Well, if it is possible to give physical activities, including the importation of objects thrown into the water.
The thick and dense hair of the dog allows you to walk withher at any time of the year. The breed of a straight-haired retriever is very suitable for those people who lead an active lifestyle, prefer long walks in the fresh air. It is recommended to start such dogs if the owner can pay enough attention to them and provide physical exercise. In addition to regular walks, the retriever must periodically be taken out of the city, where he can fully display his hunting instincts.
Care of hair
Beautiful shiny coat that is realadornment of these dogs, is the result of proper care. Combing it is necessary with regularity 1-2 times a week, and during moult almost every day. For this procedure, use a bilateral comb with teeth of different frequencies. Particular attention should be given to hard-to-reach places to prevent the formation of coils. If they do appear, they are carefully combed or cut off.
You only need to bathe a dog if necessary. Do this using a special shampoo designed for animals.
Food
A plain-haired retriever can be fed asspecial balanced food, sold in pet stores, and natural food. In the second case, the diet should necessarily include meat soups, vegetables, cereals, raw meat. With mixed feeding, only one type of food is given to one dog for feeding, for example, in the morning - a chicken, and in the evening - dry food.
Strictly forbidden to give tubular bones, sweet, milk, pasta, potatoes, as well as fatty and smoked food.
Adult dogs are fed 2 times a day - in the morning andin the evening, puppies - depending on the age. Babies who are 1-2 months old need to take food at least 5 times a day, gradually the amount of feeding is reduced and by the half-year it reaches up to 3 times a day.
Determine if it is enough for an animalnutrients and trace elements, it is very simple - it is worth paying attention to how your dog looks. The plain-haired retriever, who receives high-quality food, has a smooth shiny coat, does not suffer from allergies, is in good physical shape.
How to choose a puppy
The first step is to visit anyan exhibition with participation of flat dogs, to see how your pet will look in the future, what kind of breed lines exist, etc. There you can talk with breeders and learn about some features of the breed. If it is a question of choosing a friend of the family, then in choosing a puppy it is enough to simply rely on your own taste.
But if it is planned to do in the futureexhibition career, the puppy needs to be selected with great responsibility. Therefore, if there is no relevant knowledge and experience, one should turn to a specialist who knows well what to look for when choosing a puppy of the breed, like a straight-tailed retriever. The kennel in which it is necessary to choose a puppy, should be checked, have good recommendations. It is necessary to look at the parents of the future pet, because good genetics is the basis for successful development.
Completely no matter for what purposea puppy is purchased (for the soul or for participation in exhibitions), it is necessary to assess its condition according to a number of signs. The nose should be wet, cold, the eyes clean, without pus, the fur is shiny.
Education and training
Coated retriever - the breed is very clever,obedient. These dogs are smart and perfectly suited to training and training. Conducted lessons with a retriever should be interesting, but short in time, so as not to overwork the animal. This breed is quickly bored with monotonous repetitive tasks. As a reward and rewards, you can use food, as well as toys or simply praise. Retrievers are happy to be engaged in apposition, take part in agility and flyball.
It is important to remember that dogs of this breed are extremelySensitive and need constant attention and care. With all their behavior, they tend to deserve approval, to please the master. In no case during the training you can not shout at the dog, even raise your voice. Especially the puppies of the hairless retriever require the manifestation of maximum patience and delicacy on the part of the host.
Flat - a companion dog that hasan unusual attachment to man. Even the short-term separation from the owner of the representatives of this breed is very hard. A plain-haired retriever is one of the most faithful and reliable dogs.
