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The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in North America and one of the most numerous breeds in the world. Chances are, you don't only know one person with a Labrador Retriever, but many people with Labs. Labs are featured in print ads, television commercials, seen guiding the blind and rescuing the unfortunate from natural and man-made disasters. But just because they are so popular doesn't mean they are the right breed for you.

Marley

One of the runaway bestsellers of the decade was Josh Grogan's "Marley: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog." Marley was a Labrador Retriever. Grogan notes now that his family's current Lab is perfectly behaved, even to the point where he has complained in interviews, "There's no book in that dog!" But both monsters and canine gems can be found in the same breed, even in the same litter.

Labs are powerful, intelligent dogs bred to work. They need to have a job to do, else they will find a jog to do and you might not exactly approve of their job choice. They need plenty of exercise and interaction with their people. They need attention and to be included in your activities (as much as possible). They also are smarter than most people. If you can't handle having a child in your home, then please don't consider getting a Lab, unless you want to adopt a Lab senior citizen who is well beyond puppy foolishness.

Victims of Their Own Success

There are also serious health concerns with purebred Labrador Retrievers. Whenever a breed of dog is in demand, there is a glut of purebred puppies for sale, bred by unscrupulous people who are breeding for quantity and not quality. This not only happens with inhumane puppy mills, but also with "backyard breeders" who decide (for whatever reason) to raise and sell a litter of Labrador pups.

Keep in mind that there is absolutely no way any breed organization can prove that your dog's pedigree hasn't been completely made up. Registering a dog, including Labrador Retrievers, has always been a matter of the honor system. And there have been a lot of people without honor who have taken advantage of this honor system.

As a result, many Labrador Retrievers are sickly or carry inherited problems like hip dysplasia, luxating patella, skin allergies and eye problems. There have also been heart problems and cancers among lines of Labs. Because of a Lab's love of food, they can easily overeat and get into even more health problems because of obesity.

Adoption Option

Unless you have a Lab puppy dumped on your doorstep that you have fallen in love with, please never buy a Labrador Retriever puppy. There are tens of thousands of purebred and part bred Labs in breed rescues and animal shelters all over the world, including puppies. If you love a "real dog" that wants to be your everyday pal (and you don't mind a bit of mud on the carpet or shedding hair) then adopt a Lab, but expect to pay for vet bills.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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