Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917, the
If you ask those owners what they love about their dog, you would get many different answers. Here are 21 of the most popular ones.
1. Ready to Retrieve
Anglers bred the Labrador retriever to help them fish. This breed would jump in the water helping bring ashore fish that had fallen off hooks. At the end of a long fishing day, they also helped bring ashore nets filled with fish.
The Earl and Duke of Malmesbury imported the breed to England. They discovered the dogs were very easy to train to hunt. They called the dogs labrador retrievers for the very first time.
Today, many hunters still love hunting with labs. This breed is not picky. They will retrieve balls, Frisbees, sticks or other objects thrown during a fun afternoon in the park.
2. Labs Want to be There
Whether you are furious about something your other half did or are in a great mood because you got a raise at work, labs want to be there. When life has you bouncing all over, labs will bounce with you. Alternatively, when you want to sit and mope for a while, labrador retrievers are quite content to lay their head in your lap. People find that petting a lab helps lower stress levels.
3. Make Great Swimming Buddies
Almost all labs love water. If you love swimming, then they will be right beside you in the water if you let them.
One of the reasons that the labrador retriever is so fond of the water is their unique double coat. Their glossy outercoat is waterproof. Even if you need a wetsuit to stay warm while swimming, the lab will be comfortable because of their inner coat.
4. Trustworthy Companion
Once they grow out of their nippy puppy stage, you will not find a more gentle companion than a labrador retriever. While most dogs grab things with their teeth, you can train the lab to grab with their lips instead.
The lab’s sunny disposition often makes it a great visitor at nursing homes and other institutions. Petting a lab often helps stop depression. After all, can you look at the big smile on a retriever’s face and see its wagging tail and not feel better about the world?
5. Want to Please
The labrador retriever has an enormous heart that wants to please. They will go out of their way to try to make you feel happy.
Labs can take their desire to please to extremes. When three men decided in March 2018 to go on a joy boat ride during their lunch hour, the boat capsized.
People found two of the men who had been thrown into the murky water. If it had not been for a labrador retriever named Ringer, the third is likely to have drowned.
As the man thrashed violently in the water, Ringer heard him and jumped in the water to help. While Ringer initially tried to get the man to hold onto him, the man eventually lost his grip. That is when Ringer turned around bringing his collar near the panic man.
The man was able to hold onto Ringer’s collar as the dog swam backward safely pulling the 300-pound man along with him. Once rescued, Ringer got a steak for his efforts.
6. Enthusiastic Approach to Life
If you live alone or your mate works long hours, then you know that it is easy to become isolated. That is not the case when you own a lab. Their enthusiastic approach to life instantly lives spirits.
Additionally, since labs are so beautiful, they attract attention. This makes it easy for you to meet new people who live in your neighborhood or who frequent the dog park.
7. Easily Trainable
The lab’s natural eagerness to please makes them very trainable. Author Stanley Coren interviewed over 200 dog-obedience judges for his book The Intelligence of Dogs. He discovered that the lab placed near the top of most judge’s lists.
Many are content to be the family pet quickly learning commands like sit, stay and lay down. Other labs have important roles to fulfill because of their easy trainability.
Labrador retrievers are the most common breed used as guide dogs for the blind. The lab’s natural curiosity makes them very aware of their environment. This helps provide lots of sensory clues to their handlers. These dogs are willing to place their allegiance in the hander’s hand even to the point of death.
8. Confident
You can describe many labrador retrievers as bold and confident. Associating yourself with one is often a great way to feel better about yourself. Soon, you may find that other people are using these same words to describe you.
9. Loves to Work
Being pampered and laying around all day is the lifestyle enjoyed by some breeds. The lab, however, loves to work.
Customs and Border Protection Agencies often choose labrador retrievers to train. They often use them at cruise terminals, post office facilities and cargo warehouses because of their keen sense of smell.
During 12 to 14 weeks of training, they learn to sit or to paw when they smell certain odors.
Officials estimate that the program that started in 2000 has protected illegally grown foods from entering the United States many times.
The work of these special dogs does not stop there. They are often taken to schools, fairs and other public events. There they work on teaching people about the important work that they do. The dogs love interacting with the public during these events.
10. Bring Humor
If you need a good belly laugh, then spend some time with a labrador retriever. You will laugh when you suddenly realize that your lab is jumping up and down in front of the television set as you cheer on your favorite football team. You may want to back away when the dog lets one rip only to look around innocently while sniffing the air.
11. Love Children
While they were originally bred to be working dogs, they also make great family pets. Socialization as puppies is key. Labs get along well with family members of all ages.
Their sense of loyalty makes them outstanding dogs at guarding the family. Yet, their laid-back personalities mean that they easily go along with what you think is best.
They love to be by your side. This breed is quite happy to splash in the mud. They usually love going on hiking and biking trails. Yet, they are content to lay in be with you on that rare Saturday morning when cartoons are the liveliest thing happening at your house.
12. Keep You Exercising
While labs only need a moderate amount of exercise each day, they will still get you up and moving. Most labs benefit from an hour of playing every day. More athletic dogs, however, need up to 90 minutes while some will be quite content with 30 minutes. You will feel better when you exercise with your dog every day.
13. Accept Other Pets
While the lab may have a small problem at first accepting other animals into your family pack, they usually get over it very quickly.
It is easier for a lab to accept other family pets when they are young. Most labs will still be willing to make friends with other pets at an older age. They just want to make sure that the other pet has not taken over their position next to family members.
14. Helps Extend Your Life
A study performed by Uppsala University in Sweden shows that dog owners are 66 percent more likely to live longer. The study does not specifically look at labs. It is easy to decide that the lab is the right breed for you when you consider all the other factors.
15. Great Agility
Many labs love to jump through the air to catch a Frisbee. Others, love to retrieve ducks in freezing water. If you have ever watched either, then you already know that this breed is very agile.
There are two types of labs. Those bred for gun work usually do better in agility classes. Those bred for the show ring often are slower to move. This breed’s desire to please makes them work hard to please you.
16. Easy to Care
If you live a busy lifestyle, then a lab may be the perfect dog for you. They love their exercise. If you are not available, they will take any moment you have left over.
You do not have to plan expensive trips to the grooming parlor when you own a labrador retriever. Simply throw them in the tub every other week. Clip their nails occasionally.
Their unconditional love easily makes up for the dog hair that you find everywhere.
17. Encourages Learning
Scientists say that one way to put off getting old is to learn something new every day. That is easy when you own a lab.
You can start out by teaching your dog basic commands. Then, move on to more complicated training materials.
Regardless of what you decide to teach your dog, you will both love the bonding time spent together.
18. Want to Work
While some dogs are quite content lying on a cushion in the corner, labs love to work. They feel best when they think they have an important job to fulfill.
People train many labs as search and rescue animals. They have a superior scenting ability. This makes them great at finding people when seconds matter.
They can even alert differently depending on if the person is dead or alive. This allows rescuers to focus their attention where it will be most helpful.
The lab’s gentle disposition also means that people are not afraid of the dog. People are generally not scared of labs. This can be a big advantage when people are coping with bad situations.
19. Love Showing Off
Many labs are most content out in the field retrieving a duck that you have shot down. Others are more content prancing in front of a judge in a show arena.
In fact, knowledgeable breeders discuss two different types of labs. The breed standards are the same. English labs are heavier looking with a barrel chest. They also have shorter legs and a shorter muzzle giving them their powerful look.
People often view the English lab as more laid back. They often make great dogs for first-time owners. Their temperament and trainability help dogs bond with their owners.
The American lab is more athletic looking. It has longer legs and a narrower muzzle. People breed these dogs for their working ability. They often pay little attention to matching the breed standard.
The American lab is bred to be a working dog. They are often viewed as more headstrong. They often have a higher energy level. People often view them as more intelligent.
20. Available in Beautiful Colors
If you are getting a labrador retriever, consider which color of lab is right for you. Most labs share common characteristics. There is some difference between the various colors.
Golden labrador retrievers are often known for their love of working. That is why they are often chosen as guide dogs. They also have a very even temperament. They are willing to give cuddles throughout the day.
Black labs are the most popular color. Hunters often find that a black lab is easier to train for field work. They also are extremely dependable.
Chocolate labs tend to be English labs with heavier body characteristics. They often do extremely well in the show ring. They tend to have laid-back temperaments making them great family pets. These dogs are often more playful than other colors of labs.
21. Labs Need Love
Labrador retrievers often want to know that you love them deeply. The great news is that this same characteristic exists within each of us. Inseparable bonds usually form between labs and their masters.
These 21 reasons are just the start of why
A lab normally lives between eight and 10 years. You will find that the lab wants to be constantly at your side. You need to make sure that you are ready for a commitment that lasts that long because your dog will be counting on you.
Most labs thrive on 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily. Some are more laid back making them good for apartment dwellers. Others have lots of energy wanting to run around on a ranch or farm all day.
You will also develop a mutual sense of trust that no one can tear apart. Consider obtaining one today by choosing the one best meeting your individual needs. Then, you will never be without your favorite companion wanting to be with you everywhere.
