Grooming a lab is very simple-bathing and brushing as needed, as well as nail trimming and ear cleaning. It is very important to clean the Labradors ears on a regular basis. Labs tend to get ear infections easily, and prevention is better than constant treatment. If your Labrador is one who swims or gets wet often, the ears must be cleaned after these activities to prevent an ear infection starting from the moisture in the ear.
There are two types of Labradors, the English Labrador and the American Labrador. The English bred Lab comes from English bred stock. Their general appearance is different. The English bred Labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American bred Lab comes from American bred stock and is tall and lanky.
Many Labs tend to be very hyper when young. This means that though they are wonderful family dogs, they may not be the best choice for those with very young children. Labs are large dogs and even with casual play they can easily knock over young children or the elderly.
It is extremely important that your Labrador is lead trained at a young age. Many Labs who are not properly trained will tend to pull excessivly while on-lead, making it very difficult to control them. Obedience training is preferred for Lab owners.
Labrador Retrievers are shedders. Just because they have a short coat doesn't mean that they will not shed. Labs are actually fairly heavy shedders, if not groomed often. Weekly brushing is recommended, and you should also clean the ears and trim any long nails as needed. Labs tend to gain weight very easily in adulthood- usually after age four. To help prevent hip/joint problems in your adult Lab, be sure to watch the dogs weight closely.
Some of the health concerns with the Labrador Retriever include:
Hip dysplasia, which is a congenital disease that affects mostly large breed dogs, but it is also seen in some of the smaller breeds as well. It causes weakness and lameness to the rear quarters, and eventually leads to painful arthritis. This arthritis goes by several names; degenerative joint disease, arthrosis, and osteoarthritis.
Ectropion which is a conformational defect resulting in eversion of the eyelids, which may cause ocular irritation due to exposure.
Entropion which is a conformational defect where eyelid margin inverts, or rolls inward, toward the eye causing eyelashes and hair to rub against the cornea resulting in ocular irritation.
The breed is also prone to skin allergies and should be fed a high quality food at all times. A great deal of Labs are allergic to corn, so it's best to avoid dog foods and treats which contain corn.