Labrador Retrievers

Planning to get a new dog and you are not sure what type to look for? You may want to look into bringing home a Lab. This particular breed of dog is one of the most popular in the U.S. and U.K. and has been for about 10 years or more.

If you are looking for a dog to keep in your backyard-play and go on walks with,-this is NOT the dog you should choose. Even though the weights of these dogs can range from 55 - 120 lbs. they are house dogs. Denying them personal human contact for any length of time is torture for a Lab. This may seem odd for some people that think; dog's were made to entertain us, good for children to grow up with, or should only work for their keep.

Labrador Retrievers thrive on human contact, if you are thinking of adding one to your family you need to make the commitment to spend many hours a day with it. If you make this commitment, you will never regret it!

This is a wonderful breed, you will be adding not only a pet to your life but also a friend that you may never have realized was missing in your life, until this one came along.

Now, I said earlier that you need to spend hours a day with Labs, but please don't misunderstand that statement. The dog just needs to be with you or around you most of the time, day and night. They become an important part of your family unit. This may be one of the very reasons they are often chosen and trained to help disabled people. They become attuned to your actions, needs, moods, health, routines, and personality quickly.

This breed also is easy to care for when it comes to grooming. They are very much like a Golden Retriever, but with much less need for upkeep because they have short hair that doesn't need constant combing or brushing. Their coat also repels water, so you don't want to bathe them too often, if you do they can develop dry skin problems.

They do shed with seasonal changes, so be prepared to empty your vacuum cleaner bags a little more often-a couple times a year. Oh! And another concern with Labs is their big "otter like" tails. Since the dog spends its life in the house with you, the tail is known for wiping out a coffee table top in a flash, accidentally of course. So strategically place any coffee tables away from your dog, or train him to stay clear of it at all times.

Labrador's are easy to train too, another reason why they are used as guide dogs and such. Remember though, not all the labs that are trained to work in this field make it, just most of them.

Just as people have different personalities, so do dogs. But, their basic nature as a whole breed tends to be; loyal, smart, affectionate, playful, gentle, protective, adaptable,devoted, and loving.

I have owned a couple of lab mixes and a Lab purebred, they were all great dogs, so if you don't want to spend a lot of money for a purebred, don't hesitate in adopting a mixed breed. As long as it is mixed with another breed that tends to be good natured also.

These are wonderful family dogs!

Have you ever wondered why this dog breed is chosen so often as working dogs for blind and disabled people? Because Labrador Retrievers are such smart dogs and quickly become wonderful companions. Their short fur is also easy to care for. They require very little maintenance when it comes to grooming; they need your presence more than anything. They don't mind tagging along with you either, as long as they can be with you.

If you want a dog that is loyal, bent on pleasing you, protects you, and will do anything for you, this is the dog you want to invite into your home. Labs love just being with family, they love to play but if you don't have time to play, they are happy to just be near you.

If you are sick, they will be concerned and stay as close to you as you allow. (As seen in the photo)If you go for a walk, they don't want to stray far from you. If for some reason they take a walk with out you, they will be back, you don't have to hunt them down all over the neighborhood. Labs are also typically very patient with children, if a child gets too rough, they will just find a place that the child can't find them.

Labs are so devoted to their masters that you have to take good care of them and tell them when to stop or rest. I once played fetch with my lab on a hard surface, thinking that it was wonderful exercise and fun for him. When we got home, I realized that he had worn the pads right off all his feet and he was bleeding. He never complained the whole time he was playing fetch. Because they are 'Retrievers', they love playing fetch, and will hurt themselves fetching whatever you want them to fetch; this is why hunters love to work with Labs, to retrieve the birds they shoot.

Most Labs also love water; they have special fur that insulates them when the water is cold. Water just sheds off them when they are wet. So giving them the opportunity to swim is wonderful for them for exercise.

Because of all these qualities, this breed makes a wonderful family dog. They love to play with children and love the attention from the whole family. Though they are very friendly dogs and rarely bite, they will protect you and your children. If your child is scared or hurt by a person or animal, they will take charge in scaring off the offender. If scaring doesn't work they will defend you, or your child. They also are very keen on what is happening around them at all times, so they will let you know when anyone has taken one step on your property. Enjoy!