FAQ
The information and articles contained within this page may be of interest to dog owners.
Where can I find information on spaying or neutering my dog?
Researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine investigated the health implications of early spay and neuter of dogs, with funding from the AKC Canine Health Foundation.
The following are two summaries of some of their findings.
AKC Canine Health Foundation: Health Implications in Early Spay and Neuter in Dogs
Ducks Unlimited : Retrievers: Spaying or Neutering Your Retriever
The full articles from the UC Davis Veterinary School researchers can be found here: Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs: Comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers.
Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers
Long-Term Health Effects of Neutering Dogs: Comparison of Labrador Retrievers with Golden Retrievers
This article contains additional interesting information about neutering:
Where can I find information about whether to have my puppy’s dewclaws removed?
Read about the function of dewclaws and thoughts on their removal here:
Can a boutique diet harm my dog?
The following posts from the Clinical Nutrition Service at Tufts Veterinary School address the links between improper diet and canine heart disease.
A Broken Heart: Risk of Heart Disease in Boutique Or Grain-Free Diets and Exotic Ingredients
It’s Not Just Grain-Free: An Update on Diet-Associated Dilated Cardiomyopathy
More Resources
Follow this link to information from the AKC Canine Health Foundation that describes contributing factors, signs, prevention, and management of heat-related illness in dogs.
These two articles, from the AKC and ASPCA, alert dog owners of the emerging dangers of blue green algae.
What Is a Labrador Retriever?
In this video, Dr. Frances O. Smith DVM, PhD discusses American versus British, field versus conformation Labradors.
Additional Content
In the late 1970s, the AKC worked with Retriever Field Trial organizers, judges and participants to create this documentary devoted to the unique history and story of the Labrador Retriever:
An article providing basic guidance on picking a trainer for your field Retriever.
Ducks Unlimited provides incredible information from the world of waterfowl!
Words of Wisdom on Breeders and Trainers…
When a responsible dog breeder
entrusts you with one of their puppies,
you forever receive a piece of their heart
and a part of their legacy.
The amount of force to train a dog
is proportional to the amount of skill someone has.
The more force, the less skilled.
The more skilled, the less force.