Friday, January 24, 2014

Charcoal Labs Make Great Pets

By Nelda Powers


Very few animals can give a person the love and undying loyalty that a good dog does. Canines are a versatile bunch, coming in a variety of sizes, colors and temperaments that can compliment most any human personality. Among the top choices for families with children are the gentle and attentive black, yellow or charcoal Labs.

This is a proud and noble breed that has been one of the most popular choices for families, hunters and special needs organizations for hundreds of years. Though the AKC only officially acknowledges the three main coat colors of black, chocolate and yellow, these animals actually come in a wide range of hues including charcoal, silver, grey, champagne and reds. It is commonly believed that the variations are simply blends or muted versions of the primaries.

The main characteristics and personality qualities are basically the same in all Labradors regardless of their coat color. A strong body, intelligent mind, gentle spirit and eagerness for praise are some of the attributes of these dogs. Because of their affinity for retrieving and the ease with which they are trained, this breed is perfect for hunting trips, being a companion, employment as a seeing eye dog or other special needs assistant and especially as part of Search and Rescue missions.

These animals crave human company and attention. They are not usually known to be hyper, though they do enjoy running and playing, especially if the came involves fetching and retrieving. They love bringing their people little gifts they find laying around and have virtually endless energy for running after balls, sticks and children for hours at a time.

Along with running and playing, this is a breed of natural swimmers who will take every opportunity to jump in a lake, especially if there is something in it they can bring back to their people. Like human babies, puppies have to go through a learning period in the water but once they get the hang of it, there is no stopping them. These dogs should not be left unattended around pools unless there is an easy way for them to get out because they are not built to pull themselves up over the edge.

Although they look formidable and are impressively obedient, they usually fail at being guard dogs. When they feel their people are threatened, they may bark protectively but it is very rare that they will resort to aggression or violence. Affection is their biggest defense so they make much better babysitters.

This breed is medium sized, being between 55 and 75 pounds and 21-25 inches at their shoulders. They are thick bodies with a broad, block style head and a strong, very solid tapered tail that packs quite a wallop when the pup gets excited. It is their special double coat of fur, with a hard outer layer and downy soft undercoat, that makes them moderate shedders and helps keep them insulated in the water.

Yellow, black, grey, silver, red, champagne and charcoal labs are a great choice for family pet. They are lovable, obedient, gentle and intelligent, great with kids as well as people who have special needs. Keep in mind that these animals require a lot of attention and exercise and though they make fabulous companions, they really are not intended to function as guard dogs.




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