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If you are considering a Labrador or a Golden Retriever pup, then the best collars for these breeds are flat leather collars that are 1-1.5 inch wide. A 1 inch wide leather collar would suit a long haired golden retriever, while a 1.5 inch wide leather collars would suit a Labrador Retriever best.
Most of us look at Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers as very similar types of dogs. In comparison, they do seem to be very much alike. They grow to a similar weight and size, they both love water and strive to please their owners so grooming and bath time will be easy with either dog and they both shed year-round.
Not only will the amount of hair on the Golden be a greater aggravation to sweep up, but the hair does also play a big part in picking a collar that will suit your dog's needs. However, the hair is only one difference to consider when determining the collar of choice for your best friend. The second thing to consider is the temperament of the dog. Both dogs are playful, but the Labrador seems to be more apt to play than the Golden, who has a medium playful attitude and needs longer rest periods.
The material and how the collar is made will come into play when outdoors in the dog park. Labradors will need a wider and stronger leather collar than the Golden, who can get away with a narrower leather collar that won't matte their long hair.
Both the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever grow rapidly. And as they grow in weight and height, you could determine how thick their neck would grow and the size of collar they would need. Since they both love water, our line of waterproof leather collars are the perfect compliment to your Goldie or Lab.
When considering what size to get, we recommend a collar at 8 weeks in which the puppy would probably be able to wear with little to no adjustment until the 16th week. Then, going to the next collar up in size at roughly 32 weeks, which would become their full-grown collar, and should continue to fit them as they grow to be around 75 - 100 lbs.
As much as we pet owners say we will not feed our dog's too many treats or table scraps and stick to a diet plan recommended by the Veterinarian, some of us will look into those sweet puppy dog eyes and give in to our temptation of just one cookie. This is where the danger of obesity also plays a part in keeping the right collar that will fit on our dog.
When it comes to the fit of any collar, keep in mind that when you adjust your dog's collar, put one or two fingers in between your dog's neck and the collar. If your fingers have enough room, then your dog can breathe well, and the fit is perfect.
Purchase a collar made from leather for its longevity and durability. You will need it for training and taking them for walks. A 1 Inch wide leather collar is the best choice for a Golden Retriever who has long hair, as the narrower collar will prevent matting. A 1.5 Inch wide leather collar is best for Labrador retrievers. The added width will help disperse the pressure around their neck as they pull on the leash.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the world’s most popular and dependable breeds and traces his origins back to the St. John’s region of Newfoundland, Canada in the 1800’s as an all-purpose waterdog. In order to avoid confusion with the Newfoundland Dog, he used to be called the Small Water Dog, since the Lab was most commonly used to retrieve the cork floats of fishing nets and swimming them ashore so that fishermen can pull in the fish-filled nets.
The Labrador Retriever was often used to retrieve game and fish, pull small fishing boats through icy water, and help fisherman in swimming tasks. As the years went by, the breed population decreased and died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. In the early 1800’s, however, a few Labrador Retrievers had been taken to England to the port of Pool in Dorset where local landowners acquired specimens and refined their breeding for use as gun-dogs. It was in England where the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game, and the breed continues to grow in population.
In 1903 the breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club, and by the American Kennel Club in 1917. The popularity of the Labrador Retriever has been growing steadily to become the most popular breed in America by 1991, and remains so today. Although they where employed as retrieving dogs in the past, today, he is held in high regard as a guide dog, sniffer dog detecting drugs and explosives, and a popular companion.
The Labrador Retriever is easily recognizable. He is a moderate dog, not extreme in any way, with a stocky build. He is square or slightly longer then tall, of fairly large bone and substance. He stands at 21 to 24.5 inches and weighs between 55 to 80 pounds. His coat is short and hard to the touch. It is drip-dry and is entirely weatherproof to protect him from icy waters. A black coat was the most popular known colour for the Labrador, but yellow became more widely seen as of 50 years ago. The yellow coat ranges from light cream to red fox. Today, there is quite a trend for chocolate, also known as liver. He has a broad head and strong medium-sized jaw, which allows him to carry the largest game birds, such as Canadian geese. His heavy set and strong legs enable him to swim and run powerfully. He has a relatively short, thick-coated tail, which is known as an otter-tail. He has kind and intelligent hazel-brown, medium-size eyes which express a gentle temperament. He has a broad backskull with a moderate stop. His forelegs are well-boned, and straight from shoulder down to the ground. His paws are round and rather compact. His chest has good depth and width with well-sprung ribs.
The Labrador Retriever is a multi-talented dog much like the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are regularly cross-bred to utilize their combined skills. When the Labrador is well trained, he is obedient, amiable, and tolerates well with the acts of children, other dogs and others pets. He does not seem to take offence at any insult. He is good tempered and very agile. He is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog. He is eager to please, enjoys learning, and excels in obedience.
If you are the type of person who enjoys activities and spends most of your days in the outdoors, then the Labrador is for you. This breed needs daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. If you have a swimming pool, you should either fence your Lab out, or be prepared to share the pool with him. Although, he can live in town surroundings, he should not be deprived of regular, long walks. He can consume any quantity of food; however, sensible feeding is important to prevent this breed from carrying too much weight.
Unfortunately, many Labradors do not live up to the image they carry. Living up to 10 to 13 years old, some suffer from hereditary cataracts, hip and elbow arthritis and even wayward temperaments. Major health concerns for this breed include:
Before any of these major and common health issues develop, Lab owners should always get their dog tested to see if they have issues with their hips, elbows, eyes, and knees.
We all know that the Labrador Retriever is one of the most reliable, smartest and friendliest dogs in the world. Despite all of these great qualities, there are still things about them that need to be taken care of. If you enjoy long walks, a long swim in the lake, a game of fetch or perhaps a day of hunting, the Lab is your perfect dog and will remain your loyal companion for years to come.
