Labrador Retriever Coat
A labrador retriever coat is not generally difficult to care for. A labrador has short thick hair that is easy to groom by daily brushing or with a hound glove. The oils in the coat keep it naturally free of most dirt as well as keeping water from reaching the skin. Labrador retriever shedding is not excessive, although they do lose their undercoat once or twice a year. You will not need to trim the coat either. Show dogs are occasionally trimmed but this is just to tidy them up for the judges.
To maintain a healthy level of oils in the coat it is best not to bath your labrador retriever too often. Of course occasionally he will need it, after a long roll in the mud or worse, or simply because over time the oils in the hair can become rancid which gives him a strong doggy smell. But often after a muddy walk you can just wash the legs and paws. If you have a yellow labrador you may notice more frequent discoloration from grass stains or other dirt, and you may be able to sponge this off without bathing him. Chocolate, black and silver labrador retrievers do not show the dirt so much.
When you bath your dog use a very mild soap such as you can get from the veterinarian or a dog groomer. Do not use anything designed for humans as this will dry his coat far too much. Work the water into the skin through the dense hairs. Be sure to dry him very well afterward. Remember that with the soap and your washing, the water has reached the skin which it does not do when he goes for a swim. With his skin wet he cannot just shake himself dry, and he may catch a chill if left that way.
As with all dogs, the labrador retriever coat is an indication of the dog's general health. If you notice any change in the appearance of his coat, such as it becoming dull, look carefully at the skin for signs of parasites, skin disorders or other irritations. Sometimes dogs develop skin problems because of allergic reactions to additives in their food. If this seems minor you could try changing to additive-free dog food. If the irritation is more serious or the dog is constantly scratching or biting his coat and skin, take him to the veterinarian, as this could have many different causes.
Another sign of possible problems is loss of hair in excess of the normal shedding. If you see patches of hair loss this could be caused by a hormonal imbalance or an infection such as mange. Again, consult your veterinarian in this aspect of labrador retriever coat care.
To maintain a healthy level of oils in the coat it is best not to bath your labrador retriever too often. Of course occasionally he will need it, after a long roll in the mud or worse, or simply because over time the oils in the hair can become rancid which gives him a strong doggy smell. But often after a muddy walk you can just wash the legs and paws. If you have a yellow labrador you may notice more frequent discoloration from grass stains or other dirt, and you may be able to sponge this off without bathing him. Chocolate, black and silver labrador retrievers do not show the dirt so much.
When you bath your dog use a very mild soap such as you can get from the veterinarian or a dog groomer. Do not use anything designed for humans as this will dry his coat far too much. Work the water into the skin through the dense hairs. Be sure to dry him very well afterward. Remember that with the soap and your washing, the water has reached the skin which it does not do when he goes for a swim. With his skin wet he cannot just shake himself dry, and he may catch a chill if left that way.
As with all dogs, the labrador retriever coat is an indication of the dog's general health. If you notice any change in the appearance of his coat, such as it becoming dull, look carefully at the skin for signs of parasites, skin disorders or other irritations. Sometimes dogs develop skin problems because of allergic reactions to additives in their food. If this seems minor you could try changing to additive-free dog food. If the irritation is more serious or the dog is constantly scratching or biting his coat and skin, take him to the veterinarian, as this could have many different causes.
Another sign of possible problems is loss of hair in excess of the normal shedding. If you see patches of hair loss this could be caused by a hormonal imbalance or an infection such as mange. Again, consult your veterinarian in this aspect of labrador retriever coat care.
Labels: labradors
posted by Margaret at 9:55 AM
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