The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador is Everone's Friend

The Labrador Retriever is universally considered to be the most popular breed of dog in the world. Certainly, in the United States and the United Kingdom, it is far and away the most popular breed, with more Kennel Club registrations than the second and third breeds combined. Looking at the labrador's many attributes, it is not difficult to see why.

Labradors are friendly, intelligent, obedient, energetic and good natured. They are not aggressive to humans, so they do not make good guard dogs or watchdogs and they usually get on very well with other dogs. Their breeding as gun dogs makes them adaptable and eager to learn and they can be trained to perform a variety of jobs in addition to their original tasks as retrievers and water dogs.

Labradors are used widely as assistance dogs, by the police and the military and are probably the most widely used as guide dogs for the blind. They are big and strong, typically weighing between 60 and 75 pounds and standing about 22 to 24 inches tall. Unlike many large dogs, they are not aggressive or territorial and they are easy to handle and train.

The labrador's coat is short, hard and water resistant and requires little grooming. Having said that, some labradors shed  hair a lot. They are excellent and enthusiastic swimmers. Their strong tail is likened to that of an otter and is used as a rudder. Together with their webbed toes, they are ideally equipped for the water, either in play or in the course of their duties as working dogs, whether this be in their traditional role as retrievers or as rescue or search dogs, where their phenomenal sense of smell is one of their most valuable qualities.

It is as a family pet that the labrador is most popular. It is friendly, intelligent, affectionate, lively and tolerant of visitors. It is demanding of attention and affection and loves to play. Most labradors will chase and retrieve a ball or other toy endlessly. You will be tired before they will. In obedience training, they will retrieve and carry an egg without breaking it. Their powerful sense of smell enables them to find and retrieve hidden objects with great ease.         

Although relatively big, strong and boisterous, labradors have an innate gentleness and are usually very good with young children. Their calmness and self control when they work as guide dogs for the blind is the ultimate demonstration of their gentle disposition.

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Here are the Breed Standards for The American Kennel Club

Here are the Breed Standards for The UK Kennel Club