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The Labrador Retriever - A Great Family Dog
Though now recognised as an ideal family pet Labrador retrievers were originally bred to earn their keep as hunting or gun dogs. That they have shed that hardworking image to become such a popular pet amongst dog lovers is testament to their exceptional characteristics of loyalty and companionship.
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.
They are also regularly used as companion dogs for the hard of hearing or for the disabled. The therapeutic value of Labrador retrievers is well known and they are used extensively for those who are physically or mentally handicapped.
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.
And, as their name suggests, Labradors are excellent retrievers and one of their surprisingly pleasant attributes is the fact that they have extremely soft mouths. Apparently, a Lab is able to carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it though I have to say if my Labs got an egg in their mouth they would simply eat it. They have capricious 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.
Labrador retrievers are especially wonderful with children because the Lab has an intense desire to not only please, but its desire to play is almost equal with its desire to eat! Children can spend hours playing catch with a ball, or a Frisbee, and the dog will appear to be tireless. They seem to literally thrive on human interaction, affection and attention.
As a general rule Labs are very easy to train as they are highly intelligent and adaptable. But they can also be stubborn and more than a little mischievous " which I suppose makes them all the more lovable!
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.
Because of their friendly nature and tendency to roam they can often go missing or, worse, be tempted away from their homes. It is highly recommended therefore that Lab owners arrange for their dogs to be micro-chipped or, at the very least, to have the owners contact details on their collars.
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.
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