OCTOBER 2015 DOG OF THE MONTH – SHELBEE!
Yes, this Lovely Lab is named Shelbee and her human father calls her, “Shelbeeeeeeee, “ heavy” on the bee part! She is our October Dog of the Month. To say that Shelbee is a very high energy Lab is redundant! Isn’t that how all Labs are? Shelbee loves to run, jump, and play and is very high-spirited – all words defining a Labrador Retriever. Shelbee is here at Central Bark nearly every day and then (she must be spoiled…) she gets taken to the park every evening for some more cavorting. (The Dictionary defines cavorting as behaving in a physically lively and uninhibited way.)
Shelbee loves all things “Lab…” the pool, her pals, and her people. She is an indiscriminate player…she will play with anyone, anything, any time!
Human father, Bob, has done an outstanding job of training Shelbee. Obedience training is an essential part of responsible dog ownership. It helps establish a bond between you and your dog. Bob requires that Shelbee “sit” when she comes and when she leaves Central Bark. No dashing wildly about for this mannerly girl.
Bob deserves a well-behaved companion like Shelbee. He is a hard-working man and after Shelbee, his favorite thing is golf! He can’t get enough of it. When it is not golf weather here in northeast Ohio, he heads to sunny Fort Lauderdale, where it is. Bob loves the beach, almost as much as he loves Shelbee. When we have seen Bob dressed for a round of golf, he looks very much “The Pro.” Rumor has it that occasionally, he even plays like one.
Maybe you don’t know, but the Labrador Retriever breed did NOT originate in Labrador. They are from Newfoundland. The original Labrador breed nearly died out in Newfoundland because a heavy dog tax and English quarantine law nearly stopped importing this breed into England, where they were extremely popular. Pedigrees of two influential English Labs can be traced back to 1878.
Dog owners bred the pure Labs with other types of Retrievers. Fortunately, the Labrador characteristics were dominant and eventually, Lab Fanciers created an Anti-Interbreeding Law.
There are differences between the English Labrador and the American Labrador. The English Labs are more solidly built, with wide heads and muzzles, blocky bodies and a solid shape. They have shorter bodies and are more docile and less excitable.
The American Labs are taller, and usually more lightly built than their English cousins. They have narrower heads and longer noses and definitely have a more lively personality. Both breeds are friendly and easy going and equally popular in both countries.
This year, the American Kennel Club announced that, once again, the Labrador Retriever was the most popular breed in America, for the 24th year in a row! Take a look at our Shelbee and you can see why. She is our October Dog of the Month so Shelbee and her best friend, Bob, deserve your congratulations!
