http://www.yourdog.co.uk 49INFO: For more information about Labradors, visit The Labrador Retriever Club website:
http://www.thelabradorretrieverclub.com or check out the Kennel Club: http://www.thekennelclub.org.ukLABS RULE!
We take a closer look
at a vulnerable British
breed, the Pointer.OWNER: BERYL OWEN,
IRNHAM, LINCOLNSHIRE.
Tell us about your dog.
“Chocolate Labrador Walt was born
a comedian and we haven’t stopped
laughing at him ever since.”Why did you pick this breed?
“We have had Labradors before. When our
children were small, we had Labradors, and
they have the sweetest temperament.”Where did your dog come from?
“We bought him from a kennels in Sussex.”What have been your biggest challenges
with Walt?
“Shortly after his i rst birthday, he was
diagnosed with elbow dysplasia, which was
a shock as although the kennels had tested
for hips there was no mention of elbow
dysplasia history. The operation
was over £5,000, which we didn’t have,
but we love him so much that after many
sleepless nights, with crowd funding and
a credit card, the bill was met. However, the
biggest challenge was keeping a 40kg dog
absolutely still for two months, followed by
a daily walk of i ve minutes. He so wanted
to play that we had to invent dif erent
games he could do from his bed. He was
very brave.”What have been your happiest
times together?
“Every day is a happy day with Walt;
he never fails to surprise us with his
daily antics.”Has he turned out to be what
you expected?
“He turned out much better than expected,
especially after taking him to training
classes, because although he used to run
riot at times, he now walks to heel without
any command, and will sit and stay for
some considerable time.”Any ongoing issues?
“He was, and still is, energetic. At four
years old he has calmed down somewhat,
which we expected, but he runs and jumps
as if he is a puppy. Labradors just love
people so you always get a happy welcome
from one, but as Walt is particularly largehis welcome can knock people over!”Any advice to other potential owners of
this breed?
“If you are thinking about getting a Lab,
be aware that they need company and
stimulation; they’re not a dog you can
leave at home while you go to work. Strong
training is needed otherwise they will run
riot — albeit in a friendly way! Food is their
obsession, so a strict diet is needed as well
as strict owners.”Sum up your dog in one sentence?
“He gives me and my husband a reason to
get up in the morning, and go to bed each
night with a smile.”How easy is he to care for?
“Easy to care for once you have found
the right diet. Walt suf ered severe skin
irritation, which we eventually found
was due to additives in commercial dog
food. He now eats raw meat with fruit and
vegetables; he needs a quick brush every
few days and twice-yearly vet visits.”Would you have another dog of
this breed?
“Dei nitely we would have another
Labrador, without hesitation. My dream, if
I win the lottery, is to have one Lab of each
colour — yellow, black, chocolate, and
fox red.”How have you found training your dog?
“If you can dedicate time for training,
exercising, and resisting the begging looks
for food, Labradors are as easy as kids to
raise! Walt achieved the bronze award in
the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training
Scheme. He was the class clown, and given
half a chance he often ran riot if he got
bored — but it was all done with a smile
and a waggy tail.”What activity do you and your dog love
to share?
“We love to walk with Walt, and if water is
involved — be it a muddy puddle or the
ocean — rain or shine, he will be in it.”Next
month
LABRADOR
&
Q AsWalt is a very handsome
chocolate Labrador.
Image: Rose Barnett Photography.Heather Fleming, Dalkeith,
Midlothian.
“I have two Labs:
Cola and Rubix.
I’ve always loved
working-bred
Labradors. They
have fantastic
temperaments;
they’re kind,
very loving,
and brilliant companions. They’re
fantastically active dogs, but that can
have its downside. We’ve had the odd
injury due to over-excitement. They are
also mud magnets. Cola is very food
orientated; she couldn’t resist being
chief birthday cake tester a couple
of years ago. They have their own
sleeping positions. I often i nd them
sleeping on top of each other!”Emily Murdoch, Chatteris,
Cambridgeshire.
“They’re not the easiest puppies;
they often run into other dogs — all
boisterous — and then think about
it later. As they’re retrievers, you just
never know what you’ll receive;
a decomposed i sh from the riverbank
is still a gift.
“In Lily’s early days we thought we
would take a walk along a riverbank.
It was a nice day and lots of families
were enjoying paddling and picnics.
Lily went of to see what all the fuss
was about, and stole some of the
food from a picnic bag. We moved on
very quickly...”Images: Heather Fleming.i Th ’Heather enjoys watching
Rubix and Cola interacting.IHthFliRubix and Cola — getting
comfy on the sofa.46-49 YD Breeds Labs Mar20 CS NF(SW)ok.indd 49 23/01/2020 15:02