Dogs, as commonly known to us, are man’s best friends. They may be small, extra small, large, furry, or almost hairless, nevertheless, they provide us with inexplicable joy. Any breed will do for a simple dog-lover. However, for the more specific ones, they might pour in hours, or maybe days searching for the right breed of dog that will suit their taste.
For those of you who are looking for a dog whom you can always count on for its stable temperament, well, the Labradors might be a very good match for you. Labrador Retrievers (that’s their full name) originally came from Newfoundland. Unlike other dogs which were trained to become guard dogs or herding dogs, this breed was commonly seen alongside fishermen, helping their owners pulling the nets and retrieving the fish that went out of the nets. Maybe that’s why they are called retrievers, but it’s not the whole story yet. They were then cross bred with other breeds of dogs known for their hunting skills, like the Setter, Spaniels, and other types of Retrievers. Now, they are a very popular breed owned in the American States.
From then on, these dogs were able to fully hone their skills as retrievers. As such, they were then used to retrieve game. Not to worry though. They are not the hot-headed type. They have proven time and again that they have a very stable temperament and very amiable, so to speak. As a matter of fact, one of the traits that owners can be proud of if ever they consider having a Labrador for a pet is their expert ability to deal with kids. Yes, you heard me right. It is pretty much safe to leave your kids near a Labrador, for they are never known to hurt them or lay their paws on them, except for rare instances, of course (which I have never heard of yet). Other known traits of these dogs include being loving, friendly, happy-go-lucky (as what the title says), trustworthy, dependable, easy going, and very much people-oriented.
However, owning a Labrador retriever entails that you have to match your lifestyle with the active lifestyle these dogs have. Since they have been brought up as hunting companions, it is I guess, good enough to have a hunch that these dogs never settle in one place. They need to move around, so as a rule, you have to make sure that your Lab gets a lot of exercise.
What makes the Labs so popular in the States? Well, if you’re a very doting owner, who doesn’t mind giving your dog hugs, kisses, tummy rubs, and other forms of affection, might as well grab one for your own. This is exactly the breed that will suit your needs. You will most certainly enjoy having your pet greet you with a wagging tail and big doggie smooch once you arrive at home, and follow you wherever you go to be tickled. Just don’t be cross to him when you’re not in the mood though, as they might sulk over it.
In general, Labs are not very hard to be with, except that you have to deal with a few things with dog bite marks on them (as they really love to chew things), and their puppyish behavior before they reach the age of four. Regular grooming does the job, as this is what they need to keep their water-resistant dog in tip-top shape.
Well, these are just some of the basics about the Labrador retriever. Let me know if you have decided to own one.