CAshelf

Care & feeding

Feeding, coat, ears, teeth, seasons and the routines that keep a Labrador sound from the first week to the old dog on the porch.

Every entry on this shelf

4 entries

A wet yellow Labrador standing on a frozen slough edge at first light, ice crust on the shallows, cattails behind, the dog's breath visible in cold air, medium shot from a low angle. — Plate CA-004

CA-004Care & feeding

Double Coats and Cold Work: Labrador and Beyond

How the Labrador's double coat handles cold water and snow, why not every working breed fits a family home, and what it shares with the Russian Black Terrier.

16/09/2026

A black Labrador standing on dry late-winter grass in flat northern plains light, an undercoat rake resting on a wooden step beside a bucket of pulled grey undercoat, low afternoon sun, medium shot from the side. — Plate CA-003

CA-003Care & feeding

Shedding Season on a Labrador

Why a Labrador sheds, which brush pulls the undercoat, whether a swim means a bath, and what a dull coat says about diet and thyroid.

13/09/2026

A yellow Labrador sits on a gravel boat ramp at dusk, one ear flap lifted by a handler's hand, a bottle of ear cleaner and a cotton ball on the tailgate of a pickup behind them, low warm light from the west. — Plate CA-002

CA-002Care & feeding

Drying a Labrador's Ears After a Swim

A Labrador's ear canal traps water after a retrieve. Here is the weekly check, the drying routine, the signs of infection, and when to call the veterinarian.

09/09/2026

A stainless steel measuring cup filled with large-breed puppy kibble sits on a wooden bench beside a food bowl, with a yellow Labrador puppy waiting on a braided rug in the background, soft morning light from a north window. — Plate CA-001

CA-001Care & feeding

Feeding a Labrador Puppy to Fifteen Months

A Labrador puppy needs measured rations and a slow growth curve. How much to feed, when growth stops, and why fast growth hurts joints.

05/09/2026