Labrador ear infections are one of the most common presentations at the vet for the breed — and one of the most preventable if caught early and managed properly. The ear canal structure that makes Labs such excellent swimmers (the downward-angled canal that retains water) is the same feature that makes them prone to infections. […]
If you’re planning to breed your Labrador, health testing isn’t optional — it’s the most important thing you can do before any pairing is considered. Labradors have well-documented heritable conditions that conscientious breeders have been working to reduce for decades. Skipping the tests doesn’t make the risk go away; it just means you’re passing it
Elbow dysplasia is less well-known than hip dysplasia but just as common in Labradors, and it’s a significant cause of forelimb lameness in the breed. Unlike hip problems, which often show up as rear end stiffness or a bunny-hopping gait, elbow dysplasia typically causes a dog to favour one or both front legs — and
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health concerns in Labradors, and one that owners are understandably worried about. It’s also frequently misunderstood — both in terms of what it actually is and what it means for a dog’s quality of life. This guide covers the signs to watch for, how a diagnosis is
If your Labrador is licking their paws at night — often persistently, often the same paws, and often starting or worsening in the evening — it’s worth taking seriously. Occasional paw licking is normal grooming behaviour. Frequent, focused, nighttime paw licking is usually a sign that something is going on that needs identifying. The most
Your Labrador puppy’s first-year vaccination schedule is one of the less glamorous parts of new dog ownership, but getting it right matters more than most people realise. Vaccinations protect against diseases that are genuinely dangerous — some fatal — and the schedule is designed around how a puppy’s immune system actually develops, not arbitrary timelines.
The short answer on how often to bathe a Labrador: every 4–8 weeks for most dogs in most circumstances. The longer answer involves understanding what the Labrador coat is actually designed to do — because bathing too frequently is a genuine problem, not just a theoretical one. Why the Labrador coat is different The Lab’s
Getting the exercise amount right for a Labrador puppy matters more than most people realise — and the risk runs in both directions. Too little exercise produces a frustrated, destructive, difficult-to-manage puppy. Too much exercise during the growth phase causes real damage to developing joints that can affect your dog for life. The commonly cited
Nail trimming is one of those dog care tasks that sounds straightforward and turns out to be genuinely challenging — especially with a large, wriggly Labrador who’s never been properly introduced to the process. The good news: Labs who’ve been desensitised to nail trimming from puppyhood will sit calmly for the whole thing. The realistic
A Labrador with itchy, irritated skin is a common problem — and diet is often a significant contributing factor, though not always the one people expect. The relationship between food and skin health in Labs is real but often misunderstood. This guide covers how diet affects Lab skin, which foods are most likely to be
