MAX

Narrative

This was my dog, Max. We got him at the Hanson Pound in Hanson, Massachusetts. They said he was was a stray that was picked up on the street. He was nine months old when we got him. The pound said he was a mixture of of several breeds, but mainly Black Lab and part Newfoundland. At that time, we were always home, so he was never lonely.

Once I started kindergarten, and when my mom started working again, Max became very lonely. He started going to neighborsí houses because there were people around to play with. He mainly went to the Collinsí house. Every night my dad had to pick up Max, until it got to the point where we had to give him to them. Every Halloween, and some other times we would visit him and it was hard to say ìgood-bye.î About two years ago, they moved north and I was really MAD and upset that they left with him.

He had two friends over the Collinsí that Max enjoyed being with. They were two cats, Mittens and Boots. They slept on him, and went almost everywhere together.

Max also had arthritis in his left, hind leg. He had a small limp when he didn't get enough exercise, and it was hard for him to run and play.

Arthritis Foundation - Arthritis Fact Sheet

Heredity

Max is a male, mainly one quarter Black Labrador and three quarters Newfoundland.

As you can see in the picture, Maxís head is larger and he has a fairly long lose.  These traits are received from the Newfoundland. His large upper body and long body was received from the Newfoundland as well. His black hair is received from both breeds. The black hair gene is dominant in both the Newfoundland and the Black Labrador. Max has one more trait he received from the Newfoundland. There is fur around his toes and pads because Newfoundlandsí are use to snow and chilling weather and are used to keep his feet warm.

Max has three main traits received from the Black Labrador. His strong, long, and thin hind legs help him run, walk, etc. In addition, his longer hair is received from the Labrador, but we think this trait might have been received from another breed of dog.

Max, as I said before, has arthritis in left, hind leg. Most Labrador of all kinds have arthritis in them. Sources say its common in most Labs, but it could just be Maxís health.

Historical and Geographical Background

The Labrador Retriever, also called the St. Johns, originated in England in the mid 1880ís. England is part of the United Kingdom, which is an island in the western, northern Atlantic, in the continent of Europe. Actually, there was once a breed just called the Labrador. After the 1880ís, England made a law to restrict many Labradors from England. So, to trick the English Parliament, they bred a Labrador and Yellow Retriever together.  Out of this, many breeders and hunters got a black, well-rounded, gun dog. Many hunters especially enjoyed these animals for their skills of hunting, retrieving, and strength.

The Labrador Retriever's History

The Newfoundland originated in the province of Newfoundland in Canada, in the continent of North America. This dog breed was bred in the late 19th century, with three dog breeds: the Great Pyrenees, Husky, and Boarhound. Other sources say that this dog was bred in England, then brought over on ships when Englishmen came to Newfoundland. The Newfoundlands are true helpers to their owner and others. In addition, they're strength and power can save a 250 pound man from drowning.

Canismajor.com: The Newfoundland's History