But don't let it stop you from getting a cute little black, chocolate or yellow lab puppy. Putting up with the little fur bunnies that crop up around the house is only a minor nuisance. A nuisance that is far outweighed by the breed's natural intelligence, boundless energy, and loving nature. Labs are great dogs. You just need to know how to prevent the shedding problem at the source and groom your Labrador with the right product.
Most people think that since the Labrador Retriever is a short-haired dog, it doesn't shed. I know I did when I brought my black lab puppy home. Shedding wasn't a big deal when she was a puppy, but when she became and 80 lb. dog, I would vacuum up tons of hair every week. Technically, Labradors are known as moderate shedders. Not as bad as a German Shepherd or Alaskan Malamute, but they DO shed.
Labradors have what is called a double coat. Outside, they have a water-repellant coat called a guard coat that keeps them dry while they are in water retrieving ducks. Then they have a soft, downy undercoat that helps keep them warm in cold waters. They generally shed their coats twice a year. So there's lots of opportunity for fur to accumulate on your carpets, floors, bedspreads, couches and black dress pants.
You might think giving them a bath is the answer, but it isn't. Labs do not need to be bathed frequently. If your Labrador is dusty, or muddy, just rinse them off with plain water and rub them down with a towel or chamois leather. Or, if you prefer, wait until they are dry and brush the dirt off them. Shampooing them too often is not a great idea because it strips the natural oils from their coat. These oils are the unique elements that help repel dirt and water.
To help keep the shedding under control, you need to brush your lab at least once a week. And brush her outside. You could buy a stiff bristle brush or a hand glove, but, I suggest you do yourself a favor and invest in a Furminator. Check out the FURminator deShedding Tool. The Furminator is a de-shedding tool that reduces shedding up to 90 percent by removing the loose, dead undercoat without damaging the dog's topcoat. It works much better than a brush or comb by not only removing tons of hair, but also bringing out your Labrador's natural oils for a healthy skin and shiny topcoat. (To check out a really cool demo of this tool in action, go to http://www.furminator.com).
Remember, if you catch the loose fur before your Labrador sheds it all over your new oriental area rug, you and your Lab will be a lot happier. Groom your dog frequently!
For more tips and tricks on living with and raising a Labrador Retriever, visit us at Labrador Dogs. And don't forget to check out the FURminator deShedding Tool.
| Cherie Stirewalt is a proud owner of two Labrador Retrievers and write about her experiences on her site Labrador Dogs. Sign up for the FREE 7 day training course on training your dog. |
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