| The Labrador - One dog that has it all | |||||||
| by BUDDY AMATO | |||||||
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The Labrador is one of the world's most loved and popular breeds because of its gentle nature and ability to get along with all types of family members, including very young, probing children. It is a breed that I personally strongly suggest for anyone contemplating getting a dog that will be good around young children. I myself have a Lab, a chocolate female. I wanted this breed solely because my daughter Raven was only 4 years old and I knew that I needed a dog that would tolerate a young child's energy level, and, for lack of better words, unintentional abuse. This worked out extremely well. In my case, the dog and my daughter get along as if they were sisters. The gentle Lab originated in Newfoundland, Canada. As more people got to know it, it developed a reputation of being an excellent water dog. As a matter of fact, it was called "the small water dog"; the "large water dog" being the Newfoundland. Trade in salted cod brought the breed to the shores of Port of Poole in Dorset, England. This is where many people believe the breed originated. One of the most amazing facts about the breed is that the English used them to retrieve the cork floats that were used in fishing from dangerous, rocky shores and inlets. By retrieving the cork floats, the fishermen were able to pull in their nets to retrieve their catches. The Labs were so adapt at doing this that the fishermen were able to increase their catches and do it in a safe matter due to this fine breed's expertise in the water. While being used as a water dog in England, the English refined the breed and found that it was quite a success gun dog as well. The Lab comes in three basic color varieties. There are Yellow Labs, Chocolate Labs and Black Labs, and even some pure white strains. The tail of the Lab is as thick as an otter's and tapers gradually to the tip. The Lab loves to carry its tail like a flag, straight up in the air. You can tell its mood by its tail expressions. The eyes are hazel brown and express their temperament. The jaws of a Lab are powerful and of medium length. The muzzle is short with a strong appearance. The head is broad and has a well-rounded stop, the area between the eyes and the middle of the top muzzle area. A beautiful dog, the Labrador is. Grandmaster Buddy Amato operates Amato's Karate and Weapons Academy, 589 Palmer Avenue, West Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom. For more information, call (732) 671-9555.
Copyright Buddy Amato Amato's Goju-ryu Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more 589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734 (732) 671-9555 |
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