What Kind of Dog Is Zuma From Paw Patrol? Breed Information, Pictures, and Facts

If you have young kids, you probably know about the show Paw Patrol, which follows a 10-year-old boy named Ryder and his band of pups. Each pup has a specialty – for example, Marshall, the Dalmatian, is a firefighter, and Rubble, the bulldog, is inspired by a construction worker. When Adventure Bay is in trouble, Ryder and his Paw Patrol pups save the day! Whether it’s a chicken stuck on a cliff or a sailor on the ruff seas, they are always there to help. Zuma’s talent is water rescue; he loves to surf and have a good time. But what kind of dog is Zuma from Paw Patrol? Continue reading to learn about the breed.

What Kind of a Dog is Zuma from Paw Patrol?

Zuma from Paw Patrol is a Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Labs come in three colors. However, the chocolate Labrador retriever is by far the rarest. While these dogs are a different color, they still share all the beloved characteristics of the Labrador. They are equal to black and yellow labs in temperament, physicality, and activity levels. Many people believe that chocolate labs are less intelligent, but this is a myth and untrue. Unfortunately, they do tend to have shorter lifespans.

Chocolate Labrador History

The earliest records of Labrador retrievers were found in Newfoundland, Canada. The English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish sent fishers to the Atlantic Ocean to fish for food. While there, the island of Newfoundland was close enough for these anglers to stop and rest. Many of these fishermen brought their dogs along to serve as retrievers. Eventually, the St. John’s Dog was bred.

As time passed, the St. John’s dog eventually created two breeds, the smaller Labrador Retriever and the massive Newfoundland. It was during the 1800s that owners discovered how much these dogs love the water. Their skills in the water were so profound; Labs started working in oceans, rivers, and streams. Anglers grew so proud of their Labrador retrievers as they helped them haul long lines and fishing nets and dove into the water for fish that escaped the hook. These loyal companions even went as far as to dive in after their owner’s hat.

The Labrador’s reputation exceeded people’s expectations, and the breed soon became popular amongst Canadian sailors. When the breed first originated, Labs were primarily black, but chocolate and yellow Labradors were first recorded in the 29^th and 20^th centuries. However, they weren’t very popular at the time.

While chocolate Labs were considered a standard color in 1917, they only became popular in the 1960s as the demand for this color exploded. Chocolate Labradors were especially sought-after for dog shows. However, they are used as working dogs, companions, or sports dogs today. But they still dominate in dog shows.

Chocolate Labrador Temperament

These Labs are affectionate, even-tempered, and adaptable. Furthermore, they are outgoing and generally interact well with strangers, making them terrible guard dogs. Additionally, they are great with children due to their gentle natures. Chocolate Labradors need active owners because they have a lot of energy to burn and love exploring, swimming, and playing. They are also highly intelligent. However, they need training from a young age as they can be destructive and tend to chew when under-stimulated. Lastly, these dogs love human company, so they can suffer separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. Therefore, they require owners who have a lot of free time.

Chocolate Labrador Health Concerns

Labrador retrievers are typically healthy dogs, but unfortunately, studies have shown that chocolate labs have a short lifespan compared to black and yellow Labradors. Furthermore, they have a higher risk of ear infections and skin disease. While yellow and black labs have an average lifespan of 12 years, chocolate labs’ lifespans are 10% shorter. Additionally, they are four times more likely to have a skin condition called hot spot and two times more likely to experience ear inflammations.

Researchers believe that chocolate Labs are more prone to health conditions because of how they are bred. For example, their coloration is a result of a recessive gene. Therefore, both parents must have the gene for the puppies to have chocolate coats. So, originally, these labs were inbred to meet high demand, resulting in many health issues and a shorter lifespan.

Chocolate Labrador Lifespan

As mentioned above, chocolate Labrador retrievers have a shorter lifespan than yellow or black Labs. The average lifespan of these Labradors is only around 10 years old, almost two years shorter than their black and yellow counterparts.

Chocolate Labrador Trainability

Chocolate Labs are ideal for first-time dog owners, as they are easily trainable. However, there are three factors that affect a dog’s trainability, including temperament, intelligence, and genetic traits. But, as a rule, breeds motivated by food or love are the easiest to train. Luckily, chocolate Labs are highly motivated by two things. Firstly, they are extremely motivated by tasty treats. But, they are also people pleasers, so they are likely to respond well to praise.

These dogs also possess incredible body and alert senses. Their intelligence, work ethic, and genial nature make them the perfect candidate for several service jobs. But, they thrive in disabled-assistance, detection, rescue, and therapy work environments. They are suitable for these roles because of their non-aggressive tendencies towards humans.

Grooming

Chocolate Labrador retrievers have a thick, double-layer coat consisting of a soft, warm undercoat and a top layer, which is water resistant. While this may seem like a lot, Labradors are usually quite low-maintenance regarding grooming. But, the same cannot be said for their mixes, like the Labradoodle. However, their ears, paws, teeth, and coats still need regular attention. For example, these dogs need regular brushing and bathing to control their shedding. In fact, chocolate labs need a good bath at least once a month, but more frequently if they smell or roll around in the dirt. Furthermore, they need a thorough brush at least three times a week or more if shedding. Their teeth are also important, and you should brush them three times a week, if not every day, with dog-friendly toothpaste.

Chocolate Labrador Retriever Children And Other Pets

The chocolate Labrador is fantastic with children and also enjoys the chaos that comes with them. They happily join in on the fun and love to be the center of attention. However, like all breeds, they need to be trained properly to know how to interact with children, and kids also need to learn how to treat dogs. For example, children must be taught how to approach and handle dogs, but always need supervision to prevent them from pulling the dog’s tail or biting their ears (yes, it happens).

In addition, parents should teach their children never to approach a dog while sleeping or eating or try to remove their food. It doesn’t matter how friendly a dog is with a child; they should never be left alone unsupervised. The same goes for other pets. If a chocolate lab is trained and socialized from a young age, they usually get along well with other pets.

The Cost of a Chocolate Labrador

Chocolate Labs cost between $800 to $1,200 depending on the location, lineage, and breeder. Unfortunately, pet stores or puppy mills commonly breed and sell these dogs. Therefore, if you find one at a great price, be cautious. Backyard breeders don’t screen for health conditions; you could wind up with a very sick dog. So, rather pay a bit more and get a chocolate lab from a reputable breeder. Furthermore, you could approach a Labrador rescue shelter nd ask to be added to their waiting list. By doing this, you could save yourself a lot of money.