Labrador Retrievers Are Wonderful For Families

The Labrador Retriever, affectionately known as a Lab, or a Labby by their owners, was originally bred as a hunting or gun dog but are now considered by many to be the perfect family pet. Lovable and excitable by nature the Lab is highly dependable, extremely obedient and of course gifted with a multitude of doggy talents.

Statistically Labs are one of the most popular breeds amongst dog owners and it is estimated that 6 out 10 dog owners in the UK have a Labrador. That popularity is reflected throughout Europe and North America which is hardly surprising as the Lab, by its nature, is a trusting and fun loving companion.

Labs are also extensively used as assistance dogs for the blind and also the physically handicapped. They also excel in therapy work.

Labs are tremendous swimmers and fittingly have an otter-like tail. Their coat is grown in an interweave pattern, making them ideally suited to spending time in the water.

Unsurprisingly Labs are great retrievers and their breeding as gun dogs has left them with the ability to carry even the most fragile of objects in their mouths without damaging it. My Lab often brings me my reading glasses without a problem and it is said that they can carry an egg in their mouths without breaking it. Though they are likely to eat the egg as they do have quite ferocious appetites!

Though they were bred as hunting dogs Labs do not have the inherent aggressiveness and poor temperaments of some other breeds and have very few, if any, negative traits in their nature.

The Labs playful nature makes them ideal playmates for children and will be more than a match for even the most energetic of children. They love to chase, and of course retrieve, and throwing a ball for them to run after will give Labs amused for hours. They also love being around humans and enjoying receiving as much as giving affection.

Labs, as a breed, are exceedingly intelligent making them highly trainable though it is certainly true that they have great independence and can be quite stubborn in their behaviour.

Blessed with a great degree of inquisitiveness Labs will often follow any new scent or person they come across and can be quite determined in their pursuit ” especially if they thing there is a tasty treat at the end of the trail.

The Labs natural wanderlust can sometimes result in them going AWOL and the careful Lab owner should ensure their contact details are on the dogs tags and, if possible, arrange for their Lab to be micro-chipped to make recovery easier.

Health wise Labs can be prone to being overweight. Their incredible appetites and ability to eat anything put before them means that their weight needs to be carefully monitored. Other health issues which can affect the breed most commonly include problems with hips and joints including the awful condition known as hip dysplasia.

Thankfully, most Labs will not encounter any health problems and will prove to be the perfect companion for all members of the family from the youngest to the eldest.

Looking for the best information on Labrador Retreivers – look no further than the Labrador Retriever Guide an online resource for all Labrador owners with a full history of the Labrador Retriever