The Labrador is a hunting breed and, like the Golden Retriever, belongs to the retriever group. Today it is also widely kept as a companion dog and used as a guide dog. Many owners affectionately call it ?Lala.? The breed originally developed in the Newfoundland region of Canada, where it was first used to retrieve fishing nets and assist with carrying work. As a hunting dog, it often worked in water and on ice, making it a true water retriever.
Through long-term working use, the Labrador developed a sturdy structure, a relatively compact body, and a temperament that is gentle, lively, and friendly. It is also quite intelligent, often ranked around seventh among dog breeds. However, this intelligence does not always show up in self-control around food.
Many Labrador owners adore the breed and love giving it all kinds of tasty food. Labradors rarely refuse, and because they are big and have strong appetites, they often begin putting on weight soon after arriving in the home. At first, a round and chubby puppy may seem adorable, but as the dog grows, that extra weight becomes full obesity, and the Labrador loses the athletic look that belongs to a retriever.
So Labrador owners need to be careful: if you really love your dog, do not indulge its greedy habits. It should be trained to eat at fixed times, in fixed amounts, and in a fixed place. The key is to provide full nutrition without encouraging overeating.
Owners should also avoid giving too many snacks. Modern dog treats such as cakes, sausages, and biscuits can be high in fat. Some people, when they see the dog behaving well, cannot resist offering treats as a sign of affection. But this can be a poor form of love. Too many snacks not only lead to obesity but can also encourage picky eating.
The normal diet should also include foods rich in calcium, protein, and vitamins rather than depending on only one kind of dog food all the time. A monotonous diet may contribute to an unhealthy kind of obesity linked with nutritional imbalance.
As for meat, chicken is often a good option if it is cooked and chopped before feeding. This can increase appetite, reduce picky eating, and is usually easier to digest without creating too much burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
Most importantly, the Labrador must go outside and exercise every day. It is a naturally active hunting dog, and keeping it indoors all the time can make it emotionally unstable and more likely to chew household items out of frustration. Outdoor exercise is also one of the best weight-loss methods. With reasonable diet control and enough activity, a Labrador is much less likely to become overweight.