The Labrador Stockroom

Every entry in this stockroom is a numbered reference on one question about the Labrador Retriever: what to test before a puppy comes home, how to steady a young dog, what cold water asks of a retriever in December, what a feeding routine should look like at eight years old. Entries are written from the standard, the veterinary literature and the seasons of the northern plains, then filed under one of four shelves. Nothing here is for sale.

13entries
4Shelves
16/09/2026Last entry

A yellow Labrador retriever standing at the edge of a prairie slough in eastern South Dakota at dawn, wet grass and low golden light across open water, reeds moving in the wind — Plate 00 the slough at first light, where most of these entries begin.

Which shelf to open this month

This month: Health & soundness, Field & water, Care & feeding.

ShelfJFMAMJJASOND

Shelf calendar set 17/09/2026: filled cells mark the months when a shelf earns its place in the truck, conditioning before the season, cold water in winter, the two big sheds of spring and fall.

Latest entries on the shelf

8 of 13

CA-004

Care & feeding

Double Coats and Cold Work: Labrador and Beyond

What it is for: 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 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-003

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

Care & feeding

Shedding Season on a Labrador

What it is for: 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

CA-002

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

Care & feeding

Drying a Labrador's Ears After a Swim

What it is for: 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

CA-001

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

Care & feeding

Feeding a Labrador Puppy to Fifteen Months

What it is for: 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

FD-003

A yellow Labrador pushing through a stand of dead cattails at the edge of a shallow marsh on a cold December morning, head low, tail visible above the stems, low sun behind the dog and frost on the near bank. — Plate FD-003

Field & water

Reading Cover: Cattails, CRP Grass, Shelterbelts

What it is for: How a Labrador quarters cattails, CRP grass and shelterbelts on the northern plains, how wind carries scent, and how that differs from a spaniel or pointing

02/09/2026

FD-002

A yellow Labrador trotting through frost-covered CRP grass at sunrise in the northern plains, with a pheasant wing on a check cord visible in the foreground and a hunter's silhouette in the far background. — Plate FD-002

Field & water

Conditioning a Labrador for Pheasant Season

What it is for: A twelve-week plan from August to October: walking, swimming, hill work, cover work, heat rules, and the weight to reach on opening day.

29/08/2026

FD-001

A wet yellow Labrador standing on frozen stubble at the edge of a shallow slough in low December morning light, steam rising off its back, a folded towel and a dry coat on the tailgate of a pickup behind it, medium shot from the side. — Plate FD-001

Field & water

Cold Water in December: How Long a Labrador Can Work

What it is for: Water temperature, wind, coat, and body fat decide how long a Labrador can work a slough in December, plus the signs of hypothermia and when to call the

26/08/2026

TR-003

A yellow Labrador sitting in short prairie grass at sunrise, a plastic whistle hanging from a lanyard around a handler's neck, the dog's head turned toward the sound, low golden light from the left, medium shot with the dog in the lower third of the frame. — Plate TR-003

Training & manners

Whistle Recall That Holds at 200 Yards

What it is for: How to teach a Labrador a whistle sit and recall that holds at 200 yards on the prairie, why distance breaks the cue, and how long it takes.

22/08/2026

Health & soundness

Hips, elbows, eyes, exercise-induced collapse, weight and the tests worth asking about before a puppy comes home.

HL-003

A pair of weathered hands pressing along the ribcage of a yellow Labrador standing on a gravel yard in late October morning light, a paper weight log and pencil on a nearby wooden bench, medium close shot. — Plate HL-003

Health & soundness

Keeping a Labrador Lean: Body Condition by Hand

What it is for: Score a Labrador's body condition by hand, log weight monthly, and adjust for the hunting season. Rib and waist checks for a longer, sounder life.

12/08/2026

HL-002

A yellow Labrador stands in short CRP grass at first light, rear legs still, a hunter's hand on its shoulder, a DNA swab kit on the tailgate of a truck behind them. — Plate HL-002

Health & soundness

EIC in Labradors: Reading the DNM1 Test

What it is for: Exercise-induced collapse in Labradors runs on one gene. How the DNM1 test is read, what a carrier means, and what an episode looks like in the field.

08/08/2026

HL-001

A wooden kitchen table in a farmhouse, morning light through a north window, two printed OFA hip clearance certificates and a pen laid flat beside a coffee mug, shot from above at a slight angle. — Plate HL-001

Health & soundness

Hip and Elbow Scores Before a Labrador Puppy

What it is for: What OFA grades and PennHIP distraction indexes say about a Labrador sire and dam, what they cannot promise, and what to ask before a deposit.

05/08/2026

All health entries

Training & manners

Retrieving, steadiness, house manners and the first year, one habit at a time, for the family dog as much as the gun dog.

TR-002

A black Labrador puppy sits on a braided rug beside an open crate in a farmhouse kitchen, late afternoon winter light through a window, leash on the floor, wide shot — Plate TR-002

Training & manners

Labrador Puppy House Manners: First 12 Weeks

What it is for: Crate, house-training, the counter, the door and the leash: the habits that decide what kind of Labrador lives in the house at two years old.

19/08/2026

TR-001

A young yellow Labrador sits on a wooden place board in short prairie grass at first light, a canvas bumper on the ground ten yards ahead, frost on the stubble, camera low and level with the dog's chest. — Plate TR-001

Training & manners

Steadiness for a Young Retriever, Step by Step

What it is for: Steadiness starts at the first thrown bumper. Place board, denied retrieve, walk-up and honor build a young Labrador that sits through a flush without losing

15/08/2026

All training entries

Field & water

Pheasant and waterfowl seasons on the plains, cold water, thick cover, conditioning and the gear that earns its place in the truck.

FD-003

Field & water

Reading Cover: Cattails, CRP Grass, Shelterbelts

What it is for: How a Labrador quarters cattails, CRP grass and shelterbelts on the northern plains, how wind carries scent, and how that differs from a spaniel or pointing

02/09/2026

Newest on this shelf, also among the latest entries above.

All field entries

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.

CA-004

Care & feeding

Double Coats and Cold Work: Labrador and Beyond

What it is for: 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

Newest on this shelf, also among the latest entries above.

All care entries

Other shelves, other desks

Entries kept elsewhere that answer a question this stockroom only touches on. Each one was read before it was shelved here, and each is named for what it holds.

OS-001
For coat, nails, teeth, ears, elbow dysplasia, neutering, lifespan, and weight prevention, the French guide at Labrador Retriever Passion covers daily care and health in plain, practical terms for family and working dogs.
OS-002
For readers comparing breeds before they commit, the Cocker Spaniel breed profile at Cocker Classic Reference lays out the American Cocker's build, temperament, and specific needs, written in plain English for future owners and current ones.
OS-003
The Verandah Post at dog profiles and rescue dogs covers Australian breeds such as the kelpie, cattle dog, and terrier, retired greyhounds, shelter adoption, and the first weeks of a puppy at home.
OS-004
A French-language guide to dog breeds in France, breed coat and temperament covers build, coat, size, gaze, and temperament from the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog to the Maltese, plus exercise, sociability, and puppy health checks.
OS-005
A French-language guide to dog well-being in France, dog training covers acquisition, the family bond, and advanced techniques for a household under control, alongside health priorities and feeding for new owners and experienced handlers.
OS-006
For readers weighing a flushing spaniel against a retriever, American Cocker breed profile lays out the compact sporting build, the merry temperament, AKC colors, and where the American cocker parts ways from the English cocker.
OS-007
For readers curious how a herding breed's drive is channelled at home and at work, a Malinois kennel in the Saarland keeps its own notes on the breed, its training and its daily life, in German.
OS-007
A French kennel page for the Bull Terrier covers the breed's history , its standard, health matters and daily care, a useful comparison for anyone weighing a terrier against a retriever.