Canine temperaments are fascinating. Although you might have some idea of what a dog’s personality will be based on the parents, even in a single litter you’ll find an array of variations in disposition.
Throughout this past winter, our kennel workers have made the decision to allow Betty to roam freely and independently about our property, rather than hang with the various packs in our barn kennel. Betty is our playful, fun-loving, sociable, and most animated yellow Lab. She’s one with a stronger will than most dogs, since she tends to wander off independently, going her own way on walks, rather than staying with the pack while they’re happily running through the snow, following one of the leaders who work at our kennel.
Once a puppy is born, its mama will remove the sac and chew the umbilical cord to sever it. (I can count on one hand the times we’ve actually had to cut an umbilical cord over the past 20+ years of running our breeding kennel.) Occasionally, a puppy’s amniotic sac is not ruptured at birth and/or the mom has not removed it. In this case, it’s important to rupture the sac and remove it for the puppy’s survival. Post birth, a mama will thoroughly lick her puppies, apparently removing any fluid from their noses. Only once in a great while have we ever needed to suction fluid from puppy noses, using a bulb syringe. If a puppy is still not breathing on its own, we cradle the pup’s head and gently swing the pup down between our legs and back up again. This movement dislodges fluids from the lungs so that it can breathe normally.
This stage is what is called “hard labor.” We don’t always see the breaking of the water that ushers in this stage, but it certainly precedes the onset of harder contractions that are spaced more closely together. A mama dog will pant and often hold her breath as visible contractions tense up and tighten her entire lower body. She is usually very restless in this stage, standing, pacing, sitting, squatting, lying down, and then repeating all of the above. She will lick her vaginal area repeatedly before contractions in a preparatory cleanse for the birth. This stage should last anywhere from 10-30 minutes before puppies are born. Most of our dogs utter no sound whatsoever during labor and delivery. However, there is the rare female who will yelp or scream during hard contractions.
There are a number of ways that a pregnant dog signals that she’s about to go into labor. A few of these signs include digging, crawling underneath things like our deck, searching for natural “caves” in which to nest, an enlarged vulva, and not eating. These cues may occur as early as a week before labor begins and they are important to us.
Bringing a Labrador puppy into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, choosing the right puppy requires careful consideration to ensure you find a Labrador that fits your lifestyle and expectations. Here’s a helpful guide to selecting the perfect Labrador Retriever for you and your family.
Labrador Retrievers have consistently ranked as one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States for decades. Their friendly demeanor, intelligence, and versatility make them the ideal companion for families, individuals, and working professionals alike. But what is it about Labradors that makes them so beloved? Let's explore why these affectionate and energetic dogs have captured the hearts of millions across the country.
Why are Labrador retrievers so popular? Why are they the number one favorite dog breed in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. year after year? Many of you know from experience. You’ve had other breeds and they just don’t compare. We hear people tell as all the time that they’ve had Labs and they’ve had other breeds and, after owning a Lab, they’ll never go back to anything else. We get it. So, what qualities make a Lab so special?
