What do Labradors love the most
Labrador Love: Discover 15 Things We Love About Labradors
It wont surprise you that here at Labrador Site HQ there are lots of things we love about Labradors! In this article, our team endeavor to choose just 15 of the very best things about Labrador Retrievers. From the virtues theyre famous for, to the charming quirks you only find out about when you really get to know them. Were sure that by the end of the list, youll love Labs nearly as much as we do!
Labrador Love
Labrador love has spread far and wide across the entire world! In fact, theyre so lovable that theyve been Americas favorite breed for over 20 years! Its pretty clear that something about this breed has captured our hearts. But what is it about Labs that makes us adore them so much? The options are endless, and were sure you can add to our list. But here are just 15 of our favorite reasons to love Labradors. From their endearing personality to their messy tendencies!
1. Labrador Kindness
When you are at your lowest ebb, and feel the brush of soft whiskers on your hand or the heavy press of a broad head on your lap, you know that your Labrador really cares.
Recent studies have confirmed what Labrador owners have known for years. Dogs understand when we are sad. They can even read human emotions from our facial expressions! They are often able to be more gentle and even calmer around more vulnerable people.
This is part of the reason that Labradors are such popular candidates for therapy dogs and other doggy care roles. Labs just know exactly when we need them the most, and are always willing to lend a comforting paw! We dont need to look far for the love of Labradors. And nothing can cheer you up more than some Labrador cuddles.
2. Labs are Eager to Please
Labradors are incredibly willing to please. Whether your Labrador is as bright as a button, or a bit of a dozy darling, you know he really wants to make you happy. Following you wherever you go, bringing you his toys and flashing you that endearing expression. His willingness is lovely for you, and really enforces the bond between the pair of you.
This eagerness to please also makes Labradors really trainable. Labradors love working with you to learn new tricks and commands. They just want to do whatever they can to bring that smile to your face!
3. Labrador Foolishness
Weve painted quite a noble picture of the Labrador breed so far, but its not unusual for a Lab to be described as a bit of a class clown! Labradors arent afraid to look foolish. Or, to mess around and be silly. Your faithful friend will not mind one bit if you laugh at him. He will probably just try harder to make you smile.
Their playful personalities make them popular and perfect for families of all ages. Kids will love their cheeky sides just as much as adults! After just days in the family, everyone will be shouting: I love my Labrador!
4. Labrador Enthusiasm
Labs love the world and everything in it. They want to be a part of the action. Whatever is happening today, they are up for it! Whether its an exciting new adventure together, or a walk around the back yard scooping poop, they are equally enthusiastic and keen to be a part of it.
This means Labrador owners always have a loyal and enthusiastic friend to take with them on any new journey! And, theres always a smiling, happy face at home to welcome them back with excitement.
5. Labrador Forgetfulness
Labs can be adorably forgetful. Young Labradors especially often forget what they are supposed to do. Training takes time, and they need our help in remembering what we taught them yesterday. But its part of their doggy nature, and we love them for it. A little patience when your Lab is young and his memory will improve.
This forgetfulness would be frustrating for some, but its easily forgiven when you see the face full of Labrador love.
6. Labradors Love Fun!
Labradors always look on the bright side. They are masters at enjoying themselves. It doesnt have to be sunny, you dont have to give him very much. Hell have a great day, every day, just because he is a Labrador and he is spending his day with you.
Labs love playing with fun toys, or will even enjoy a nice game of fetch with you. Its so easy to keep them entertained. And, thats just another of the great things about Labradors!
7. Labrador Forgiveness
Labradors forgive us all our faults. If you snap at your Labrador when you are tired, he will forgive you in a heartbeat. If you are late with dinner or take a shorter route on the walk, he wont mind later on. He never bears a grudge and he never will.
Labrador love is unconditional. So, you never need to worry about losing it. You dont need to look far for the love of Labradors. A Labrador friend is a friend for life.
8. Labrador Grubbiness
Labradors make a mess. And we love it. Well, maybe we dont always love this bit, but it is a part of what Labradors are. And it can make for some hilarious stories!
They are simply never happier than when they are wet and muddy and we cant help but smile at their grubby faces for it. Wed rather have a mucky Lab than a smart little lap dog any day. Do you have any funny memories of your Lab making a complete mess?
8. Labradors Contribute a Lot to our Lives
We owe our Labradors so much. How can we not admire a breed of dog that has contributed so much to human lives. Not just in our homes with their constant companionship and the strength they give us, but into the world of assistance dogs where they dominate with their loyalty and intelligence.
Labradors always leave a lasting impression for this reason. They leave huge paw-print shaped marks on peoples lives. You can see this legacy in the lives of anyone whos owned one of these lovely dogs. And even in the media! Such as the wonderful Labrador, Fidel, that starred in the film In Bruges. Just a brief Labrador cameo was all that was needed to capture peoples hearts.
10. Labrador Loyalty
A Labrador is the ultimate friend. He doesnt care what you look like, he isnt interested in how clever you are, or how many human friends you have. You are his everything, his whole world for his whole life.
We only get an average of 12.5 years with our wonderful Labradors. Which all Lab-owners agree is much too short. But, during those years, you know your Lab companion would do just about anything for you.
11. Labrador Confidence
Labradors are rarely shy. They are not interested in hiding behind your legs. They would much rather be in on the action. This trait is extremely lovable, especially for Labrador owners who are shy! They know that their Lab will guide them through any situation with ease. And, theyre more than happy to lend us some of that confidence!
12. Labrador Bravery
Labradors are courageous dogs. From their work in military danger zones and with the police, Labradors contribute world wide. They protect us from explosives, drugs, disease, and many other sources of danger. They will do anything for their human friends and family too.
Plus, theyre well known for working as gun dogs. They arent at all scared of the loud noises that accompany the job! Some Labs may be more nervous than others. But a well socialized Labrador is one of the most fearless things in the world!
13. Labrador Intelligence
Labs might seem dopey at times, but they are seriously smart cookies. They are able to learn vast quantities of commands, and can learn to carry out complex tasks. How else would they make such excellent working dogs and service dogs?
Their sharp minds help them work in perfect harmony with their human handlers. And, it makes training all the easier for families that are simply welcoming one home as a new pet!
14. Labrador Athleticism
Labradors are fabulously fit dogs. The stereotypical picture of a Lab might be one thats a little chubby. But, this breed is one of the most athletic and capable ones out there! They can keep up with you on your daily run, compete in agility events and work hard all day in the field. Their structure has been maintained over the years to be the pinnacle of health, and they are all the happier for it.
15. Labradors are Super Friendly!
A Labrador is everyones friend. They will welcome family members and strangers into their home, and probably even their bed, without blinking an eye. They will happily greet fellow walkers, making new friends wherever you go. In fact, does that tail ever stop wagging?
I Love my Labrador!
What do you love most about your Labrador? We bet your Lab fits every single one of the characteristics we listed here. But, whats your favorite thing about endless Labrador love?
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The Labrador Site Founder
Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.
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32 reasons to love Labradors
Since 1991 the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog in the US every year bar one, according to the American Kennel Club. (And even in its year off, it came second). In Britain, too, it holds the number one spot as most popular pedigree breed. They appeal to a wide variety of people, as there are so many different reasons to love Labradors Retrievers.
The breed, which originates on the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador in northern Canada, was initially used as a working dog to help fishermen retrieve their nets, and lost lines, and pull carts loaded with fish. It was further developed across the pond in England, where its retrieving skills were much admired by the sporting gentry. The Earl of Malmesbury gave the breed its name, and the first breed club was officially founded in 1916.
As its fans know, the Labrador is a pretty perfect all-round breed: whether as a gentle family companion, a working gundog or guide dog.
32 reasons to love Labradors
1. Labradors come in three colours
Labradors officially come in three colors black, yellow and liver/chocolate. Dont worry, fox-red fans, yellow can range from light cream to orange (termed fox-red), while livers range from light to dark. A very small amount of white is permitted on the chest or pasterns.
And not only are there three colors available, but you can get all three in one litter. Hows that for a variety pack?
2. Labradors love water and are great swimmers
There are few sights more joyful than a Labrador splashing about in a river. Due their heritage as a fishermans working dog, Labradors typically love water, and their webbed toes help them be great swimmers.
3. Labradors are intelligent
The significance of a high canine IQ is debatable, but Labradors are a smart breed. They are ranked the seventh most intelligent breed according to the canine researcher Stanley Coren (who measures instinctive, adaptive and working canine intelligence), which puts them in the top 3.7% of all breeds.
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4. Labradors make brilliant assistance dogs
The Labrador Retriever is now the top breed being trained as guide or assistance dogs for the blind, handicapped or elderly thanks to their trainability, intelligence, kindness and caring nature.
5. A Labradors double coat keeps them cozy
You dont have to worry too much about your Labrador catching a chill. He has a fabulous double coat: a short, thick layer and a water-resistant undercoat, meaning he can cope with icy water and harsh winters, without the need for extra clothing.
6. Labradors are a family favourite
Labradors make excellent family dogs because they are kind, gentle yet strong, energetic yet easy-going and love companionship. They are known to be good with children and not easily flustered or overwhelmed.
7. Labrador longevity
For a relatively large dog (officially they are medium-sized in height, but their strong, sturdy build can make them seem larger), they are comparatively long-lived, averaging 1012 years.
8. Labradors have bundles of energy
Were not sure if this is a plus or a minus, but as a general characteristic, a high-energy dog is a lot of fun, a great walking companion and that exuberant love of life can rub off on their humans. Whats not to like?
9. Look into a Labradors eyes...
Anyone who falls under the spell of the deep brown pools of their eyes will be entranced forever. They will win you over, bewitch you and become your most loyal friend.
10. Labradors are actually quite fast
This might come as a surprise given that a Labrador is not built like a Greyhound. However, a fit and athletic Lab can run up to 30mph without the fragility of the speedy sighthound breeds.
11. Labradors show devotion to their tribe
They are family-oriented and are staunchly loyal to their human pack. Although they are not aggressive, they will protect their tribe like a faithful bodyguard.
12. Labradors love to please
They say that a Labrador is born half-trained (and a spaniel dies half-trained), which gives you some indication of how biddable and trainable they are. Labradors love to please their handler, learn commands and lap up good training.
13. They have soft mouths
You may not be sure why this is such a virtue but if youve ever tried to remove an inappropriate item from a dogs mouth when they dont want to let go, youll know how handy this asset is. Labradors were bred to retrieve prey without biting down into the flesh, so they were able to bring the duck, pheasant, rabbit, for example, back to the handler in pristine condition. This means a lab has exceptional control of his jaw muscles so that he doesnt maul everything that goes near his teeth.
14. They're brave
Labradors are used in the police and military to sniff out explosives, drugs and other sources of danger. And they will protect their own pack with equal care though probably not with aggression.
15. Labradors dont need intensive grooming
For a dog with a thick double-coat, their grooming needs arent too extensive. Yes, their coat sheds, but a good brush once a week will suffice and their hair doesnt tangle. They dont need expensive trips to the salon for clipping and combing.
16. They make great search and rescue dogs
The breed is a natural in being trained to find people, such as missing persons, lost hikers, stricken climbers, avalanche victims and so on. Due their excellent sense of smell, great trainability and desire to work with humans, they are ideally suited to search and rescue work.
17. Therapy dogs are most commonly Labradors
Due to their outgoing but gentle nature, Labradors are popular as therapy dogs. Interacting with friendly dogs has wonderful health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, slowing the heart-rate and regulating the stress hormones. As Labradors are naturally blessed with a calm and trainable demeanor, they are often trained to work in care homes, hospices, special schools, disaster recovery areas and other locations to help vulnerable or isolated people.
18. Labradors are good with other pets
Labs are known to get along well with other dogs in the home and even pets of different species. Its always best to introduce new dogs when they are young, or in a neutral space to avoid any territorial instincts. However, a Lab is normally just happy to welcome another member into the family!
19. Labradors are surprisingly agile
While collies are the supreme dog agility breed, Labradors have impressive agility for a dog with a larger frame. Naturally an athletic working breed, Labradors excel in agility classes where their trainability and desire to listen to their handlers commands comes to the fore. In 2013, the first Lab won the American Kennel Clubs national agility title.
20. Labradors are the choice of presidents
Sully, a yellow Labrador retriever service dog for disabled military veterans, was the choice of former US president George HW Bush during the last six months before he died in 2018. He attended his funeral, drawing international attention.
Chocolate Lab Buddy and Seamus were President Bill Clintons pets, while President Vladimir Putin used to have a black Lab called Konni.
21. They have the royal seal of approval
Prince Williams childhood dog was a black Lab going by the name of Widgeon (a duck). The dog was given to William by his mother, Princess Diana, shortly before she died.
King George V owned and bred Labradors, under the Wolferton affix, which used to win at the prestigious British dog show Crufts, while King George VI kept yellow ones.
The late Queens first dogs, Sabre and Snare, were her first working gundogs black Labs, and she continued to breed under the Sandringham prefix. Her daughter the Princess Royal is also a fan of black Labs and keeps them at her estate in Gloucestershire.
22. They're the perfect size for a dog
Not too big, not too small, just right. The breed specifics are height at the withers for a dog of 22 to 24 inches; for a bitch 21 to 23 inches. Approximate weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 6580lb; bitches 5570lb. This makes it a medium-sized dog, perfect for nearly everyone.
23. They dont enrage the neighbours
Labradors arent needy. Although they can bark, they rarely do so excessively. They arent typically yappers, whiners or nuisance barkers, and they dont usually howl. This should put you in good books with your neighbours.
24. Everyone loves a Lab
They are the most popular dog in so many countries around the world, including the UK, Australia, Canada, Israel and New Zealand and for 31 years of the past 32 years the US. Millions for dog owners cant be wrong.
25. Labradors are perfect for a cuddle
If you have ever seen the Andrex Puppy, an adorably soft and fluffy yellow Lab puppy used to advertise Andrex (Kleenex Cottonelle) brand of toilet tissue, youll know just how ridiculously cuddle-some these pups are. They simply demand snuggling.
26. A Lab doesnt mind who looks after them
This is a great asset for when you want to go on holiday and leave your Lab with someone else. As the key to their heart is their stomach, as long as they are well fed and exercised, any sort of company will do. While of course they love their own pack, they slot well into any other, being so friendly and self-confident. The story goes of a Lab who went missing in a park, and was reunited healthy and well a fortnight later with his owner, having had a jolly time with a taxi driver who picked him up as as stray and fed him mince and crisps!
27. A Lab is always up for anything
Due to their heritage as a working dog, a Labrador is always keen for sport. They never turn their nose up at a walk in the pouring rain, a 20-mile hike, retrieving a ball from icy water or a weeks camping in clement weather. And they will always wag their tail and ask for more. They are the ultimate yes-dog.
28. A Labradors constantly wagging tail is really rather special
A hallmark of a Lab is their otter tail, which is thick and tapers gradually towards the tip. They dont have much feathering (unlike the Golden Retriever), but their tail is covered in a dense fur, like an extension of the fur on their body. This rounded appearance gives the name otter tail as it resembles an otters and like that semi-aquatic mammal it also helps them to swim well, used as a rudder in the water.
29. You rock their world
Every time you step back inside your home, you are assured of a heros welcome. Labradors are naturally super-friendly to everyone, but most of all their master, who will be greeted like a long-lost best friend whenever he returns home even if hes only popped out for a pint of milk.
30. Labradors are cute
Look up cute dog and what do you get? A screen full of Labrador puppies. Need we say more. All the more impressive given that they dont fit in your pocket in fact they hardly fit on your lap, not that they care...
31. Labradors are never fussy eaters
This breed typically eats anything and everything (so make sure you dont leave the lovingly prepared family boeuf bourguignon within striking distance). The way to their heart is through their stomach. So no worrying about what they will and wont eat, whether youll keep the weight on them, whether theyll finish their dinner. They will.
32. A Labrador will boost YOUR fitness
These dogs are high-energy working dogs who require plenty of exercise each day. Adult Labradors should have up to two hours exercise today, though this can be split. This is a decent workout for the average person, so most Lab owners (with fit, athletic pets) are in great shape. Of course, you can play fetch at the riverbank if you need to take a break...
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