Labrador Retriever puppies are adorable. There’s no other way to describe them, is there? You see one in the pet store, or at a breeder’s kennel, and you fall in love. You aren’t naïve enough to believe the puppy will be free. You know it will cost you. But do you know how much Labrador care will cost?

Initial Costs of Labrador Care

The initial costs involved in Labrador care seem steep to some. If you purchase a pedigreed AKC Labrador Retriever from pet store or breeder, you can expect to pay upward of $300 for your puppy. Add the cost of neutering and vaccinations. Throw in a dog bed, collar, leash, and crate. You are well over $500 in initial costs. In fact, you may be close to $1000 in capital expenses for Labrador care.

But wait. In the U.S., Labrador care need not cost that much. Most Labrador puppies are obtained from family members or acquaintances. In fact, statistics show that only fifteen to twenty percent of all dogs in the U.S. are purchased from breeders. Between two and ten percent of all dogs are purchased from pet shops. Another ten to twenty percent are adopted from shelters or rescue organizations.

That means that the initial costs of Labrador care need not be so high. Ask family members and friends, and you may find a Labrador puppy at a low price. Visit your local animal shelter, and you may adopt one for a low price.

Remember, though, that even if you get a puppy free, you will have initial Labrador care expenses of neutering, vaccinations, bed, collar, leash, and crate. Be prepared.

Ongoing Costs of Labrador Care

We all know that dogs need food. How expensive can that be? There is more to Labrador care than just food, however.

The average Labrador care cost is about $620 annually, depending on where you live. That figure includes basic food, veterinary care, toys, and a dog license.

Hidden Costs of Labrador Care

Once you have your puppy, you will find hidden costs that must be added to those already considered.

* Grooming: Labrador care involves occasional grooming. You will need to buy brushes, combs, and toenail clippers. Or you will need to take it to a professional groomer.

* Training: You may be a knowledgeable dog trainer, and will not incur expenses for this part of Labrador care. Otherwise, you will pay for books or classes, or the services of a trainer. Puppies need training if they are to be well-adjusted, obedient companions.

* Accidents: We all hope puppies will not get hurt, but they do. One of our family dogs broke its leg jumping a fence. Another swallowed a computer memory “thumb”. Small and large accidents can add up in veterinary bills.

Conclusion

Labrador care costs are too seldom considered before purchase. If you are thinking of buying a Labrador puppy, turn away from the kisses and sparkling little eyes long enough to check your income. Be sure you are prepared to give the puppy the care it will need.

Labrador Retriever grooming can be quite simple. An occasional bath is enough to keep your dog smelling good. Weekly brushing with a slicker brush and monthly toenail trimming complete basic care.

Labs Don’t Shed?

Some people, even some breeders, insist that Labrador Retrievers do not shed. This is not entirely true. Black Labrador Retrievers do not shed regularly, but twice a year, they blow out the entire coat. Yellow Labrador Retrievers seem to shed year-round, on a daily basis. Chocolates are more like Blacks.

As winter gives way to spring, the heavier winter coat is shed in favor of a lightweight summer version. When autumn comes, the light coat is dropped to make way for a heavier winter coat.

For several weeks - you can expect your Labrador Retriever to shed profusely. Without proper grooming, your Lab will leave hair on everything. You may be aggravated to the point of wanting to shave the dog, but you should not resort to that. Short, stubbly hair is not the answer. A Labrador Retriever that has been shaved hurts and itches until the stubble grows out again.

Control Shedding

The best way to handle Labrador Retriever shedding is to speed the process with grooming. When preparing to do that grooming, remember that there will be a lot of loose hair to clean up. Dress appropriately and don’t use the family bathtub! A do-it-yourself dog wash station is great if you have one locally.

1. Begin by placing your Labrador Retriever in very warm water. Don’t risk scalding the dog, but be sure the water is as warm as you can take. Pour or splash the warm water on every inch of the dog, getting it thoroughly wet.

2. Work your fingers through the dog’s coat in a massaging, combing action to loosen dead hairs. A “Zoom Groom” is a great tool to use at this step. “Zoom Groom” is a natural rubber brush. It doesn’t tug or pull as other brushes do. It has gentle “fingers” that reach through your Labrador Retriever’s fur to the skin, lifting and removing dead hair.

3. Continue to wet the coat, washing away the dead hair as you remove it from the Labrador Retriever.

4. When you are done, blow-dry the dog on a warm, not hot, dryer setting. While blowing, use your fingers or a slicker brush to brush the hair opposite to the direction in which it grows. Be prepared for loosened, dead hair to fly!

Follow the above routine twice a week. The more quickly you remove dead hair from your Labrador Retriever, the more quickly the new coat will grow in, making the dog comfortable again.

Maintenance Grooming

Once your Labrador Retriever has shed the coat, you will only need to do maintenance grooming. Brush the dog twice a week to distribute oils through its coat. Use a wide-toothed comb to loosen and separate any matting. Use a narrow-toothed comb to get air through to your Labrador Retriever’s entire body. Bathing is really unnecessary unless your dog encounters a skunk or other foul substance. Of course, if he gets muddy, a bath will make him a more presentable, lovable companion.

You love black Labs. You love your black Labrador. You would love to have black lab wallpaper on your computer so that you could be reminded of that love every time you sit down at the computer. But where can you find black lab wallpaper?

DIY Black Lab Wallpaper

Why not make your own black Lab wallpaper? It really is simple.

1. Begin with a favorite photo of your black Lab. Or find a black Lab photo on the Internet. Be sure you don’t infringe on copyright laws. Sites such as Clipart.com offer photos you may use freely – both black Lab puppies and black Labrador Retriever dogs. Avoid pictures of a black Lab mix.

2. If you are using a non-digital photo for your black Lab wallpaper, scan it onto the computer. If you don’t have a scanner, have a copy store scan it to disc for you. You will then have a digital photo.

3. Open a graphics program and crop your photo to desired dimensions for your black Lab wallpaper. If you like it the way it is, skip this step.

4. Next, open your Control Panel (Windows) and select the “Display” button. Click the “Desktop” tab in the dialogue box. Click “browse” and find the file containing the black Lab photo you want to use. Click to open the file. Your photo will be displayed in the dialogue box.

5. Under “Position”, choose whether you want to center the black Lab photo, stretch, or tile it. Stretching may make the photo appear odd. Tiling will cover the screen with duplicate photos.

6. Click “Apply” and “OK” to close the dialogue box. Close Control Panel.

7. You now have black Lab wallpaper!

Animal Search Black Lab Wallpaper

The internet has several sites that offer black Lab wallpaper. These will not feature your own Labrador Retriever, and some may have a cost. Both cute and dignified black Lab wallpapers are available, however.

Free black Lab wallpapers are available. Most are originals. Google the terms along with the word “animalsearch” or “screensavers” for best results.

Other Ideas for Black Lab Wallpaper

You don’t need photos or pictures of Labrador Retrievers for your black Lab wallpaper, of course. There are other ideas that can be just as effective.

* You may want a cartoon as black Lab wallpaper. Google the terms “cartoon” and “dog” along with “black Lab” or “Labrador Retriever puppies”. You can fill your screen with cartoons, or place one especially funny one. Again, be careful of copyright infringement.

* Find pictures of black Lab figurines, mail boxes, and other items. Combine a few into a collage for your black Lab wallpaper.

* Make holiday black Lab wallpaper by using pictures of black Lab ornaments or greeting cards.

Be creative, and your black Lab wallpaper will be like none other!