[.ca] Your Lab's Life: Your Complete Guide to Raising Your Pet ... (ISBN 0761520465)

Recommended reading for new owners.:
My lab is recently acquired and is 4 years old and is a family pet. I found the book to be very informative in caring and for training. The book covers just about anything you would want to know and would work for puppies also.

Nothing here that you won't find elsewhere:
It was a good book to read, but it had NOTHING on training a lab how to retrieve. It gave a few instructions on basic dog commands, but I found similar tips in many other books. If you are looking for a guide to training your lab, this isn't for you.

Nice Compendium Of Information On Labradors!:
Here is an attractive entry by author Virginia Parker Guidry, abook that takes a loving look at America's singular and by far most popular wonder dog, the Labrador Retriever. As Berger points out so well, there are few other animals who draw such love from humans as a dog, and surely the Lab is the most loveable of the breeds. Here she presents the Labrador Retriever in all its wonder and does a yeoman service to the rest of us by enumerating all of the superb qualities the dog has to offer potential human enthusiasts. They are by reputation excellent working dogs, both as field dogs and as guide dogs for the disabled. They are also incredibly loyal, and the news services are often filled with wonderful and heartwarming stories of Labs crawling out on the ice to save their masters, often at considerable danger to themselves. Nonetheless, they stand by our sides. Therefore, this book, "Your Lab's Life", is the ultimate tribute to the breed, and is chock-full with stories and photos that actively serve to substantiate what might otherwise seem as idle boasts and overethusiastic praise. In fact, for anyone who spends any time around Labs, like me, it is hard nto to use superlatives when describing them. More than one of the stories herein will bring a smile to your face, a tear to your eye, and the idea in your noggin perhaps it is time to consider getting one of these incredible creatures into you rlife, and that of your extended family. they boost the energy level in any room they enter, are incredible chick-magnets, and have been shown to reduce high blood pressure and dissipate depression through their mere presence. This is a wonderful book about what I believe to be the world's most nearly perfect living creature, the Labrador Retriever! Enjoy!

Great Book ...Missing information:
I ordered this book based on all the reviews thinking that this was the one and only Lab book needed.... I have 2 PureBreed Labs and in speaking both with my Vet and other breeders thought I may have a litter. This book does not support the idea of breeding or yet the reproductive aspects of the Lab at all. If someone plans to own a Lab just for a pet and doesn't intend to ever think of it's reproductive health or need that information then yes..... this is a SUPER book! I agree with the author's advice about neutering and spaying to keep the population down, however feel for this to be called the only book you'll ever need... I disagree. Look else where for the reproductive information on your beloved pet! The format and layout of the book as well as the reading material is better than most books I've read. I will now be looking for yet more books on breeding.

Good Beginner's Book - but too basic:
This is a pretty good book for beginner's but it is quite basic and really provides only an introduction to Labs and their care. Anyone considering buying a Lab needs more information. The information in many sections is very sparse and not nearly adequate for the potential buyer. For example, the section on where to get your puppy is seriously lacking. The author does not give nearly enough information on purchase costs or on buying from a reputable breeder. A good breeder does not simply show you the pups and stand back to let you choose on your own. A good breeder will ask you why you want a pup and what you want to do with your pup. Is the pup to be a pet? A protector for your children? Will your dog be an inside dog or an outside dog? Do you have other dogs in your family? Do you want to hunt with your dog? Run him in hunt tests? etc. Then the breeder will tell you about each pup and help you select the one that matches your needs. Price is also not mentioned. A "bargain" dog is likely to be anything but. A well bred, healthy, cared for pup will cost at least $500 and as much as $1000 (more for the serious field trialer or hunter). This is because the breeder who has bred to a good stud dog will pay at least that much as a stud fee. A good breeder will also warrantee the dog's eyes and the dogs hips and elbows, so that if there is a problem, the breeder will offer you a refund, or an exchange from a future litter if you are not prepared to keep a dog with these health problems. Valuable information like this is missing through out the book . If you are serious about buying a puppy, this is a good starter book, but then you need something more. I would suggest two magazines: "Labrador Retrievers" one of the "Popular Dog" series from "Dog Fancy" magazine, and the CKC (or AKC) affiliated Puppy Annual, from "Dogs in Canada" magazine. The more you know, the better you are able to avoid mistakes in choosing a dog and caring for that dog.