What Is A Labrador Retriever?

 

Labrador Retrievers have been bred to be “people dogs”. They were originally used by fishermen to help pull in heavy nets or dive to untangle them, working in close cooperation with their owners. they were adapted by hunters for retrieving waterfowl, upland birds, and small game, and became popular because of their love and devotion.

 

Labs are knows for their trainability and intelligence. Through years of use they have become the #1choice as guide dogs, used as therapy and assist dogs, for search and rescue, drug detection, and bomb sniffing. It is thoughtless and cruel to keep a Lab confined outdoors, perhaps taken on a few brief hunting excursions a year, for although they can be superb gun dogs their true specialty is in being companions.

 

There are differences among Labs however, and those bred for running Field Trials or those bred specifically for the Show Ring are often not equally adapted for these other jobs. It’s important to know what you want before acquiring any Labrador Retriever.

 

Typical Labs often have soft temperaments that can be easily bruised by a heavy handed approach to training, or by neglect. They love to be with “their people” almost all the time will want to go with you everywhere [including just to the bathroom]. This means they are often underfoot, leaning on the door you want to open, or leaning on you . They run to the door when you reach for the car or boat keys and bound with glee at the thought of going anywhere with “ their people” If you find this type of behavior annoying and /or don’t have the time, means, or inclination to have a dog with you a lot of the time, then a Lab is not for you.

 

Labs are usually happy in nature, often to the point of exuberance, and those tails for which they are known swipe shelves, clear coffee tables, topple toddlers, and whatever else is at their level as they wag with great gusto. The true Lab coat is made to keep the dog warm in icy water, thus it is a very thick, double layered coat which sheds somewhat regularly and is “blown” twice a year. People may choose the color of their Lab to match their carpeting - or vice versa. If loose dog hair or a perpetual wagging tail bothers you, then a Lab is not for you.

 

Being fisher-dogs, Labs love the water. Pure joy can be found galloping repeatedly through a mud puddle, splashing into the mud, then lying in it; diving for toys dropped [accidentally on purpose] in the water bowl; biting the spray as you attempt to wash the car or water the garden; and even surprising you mid-shower. If frequent rinsing and towel drying a dog, floor and wall, or any of those other dog activities don’t amuse you [at least some of the time] then a Lab is not for you.

 

Labs are excellent retrievers of anything [even discarded objects in wastebaskets] and, like most retrievers, are very “mouthy”.  They love to hold and carry things - it may be your hand, sleeve, your shoe, your unread newspaper, or preferably a toy.  Labs have a high demand for toys.  They don’t need to be fancy or expensive, but if you don’t supply a number of dog safe toys you can be sure your Lab will ”find” his own, which are often potentially dangerous.  If you prefer a dog to be seen rather than interact, then a Lab is not for you.

 

Finally, Labs love to run and play.  Because of all the above mentioned lovable attributes, Labs permitted to run loose or left alone outside will get into trouble [as will any dog].  If you are not interested in making available time to be outdoors walking and playing with your dog everyday, then a Lab is not for you.

 

But ... if you want a happy, affectionate, fun loving, pleasurable pal who wants to do whatever you want to do whenever you want to do it - who just loves being with you, then a Lab may be the dog for you.

 

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