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If you are looking for a real family dog with all the attributes necessary for harmonious living, then look no further. The Labrador is what you seek! A well-bred Lab is the perfect canine companion for young and old, utterly trustworthy and always good humored.

Bred originally in Newfoundland, as the name Labrador suggests, the dogs worked with the fishermen in that area, helping to haul in the nets. They were strong dogs who loved being in the cold waters and they would swim to retrieve fish that had evaded the nets. The breed was later crossed with other Retriever-type dogs and Spaniels. Once the breed arrived in England in the 1800's, because of his superb nose, he became the favorite dog to accompany hunters, a gundog par excellence!

The Labrador's coat may be black, shades of chocolate brown, or yellow. The yellow coat can be a pale creamy tone, or a deeper yellow color and there is a distinct double coat: the soft, fine undercoat and an outer coat of coarser fur. Usually, the coat is shed twice yearly, though some coat loss may be noticed throughout the year. Regular, say weekly, brushing is recommended. They are medium to large in size, an average weight being 55 to 75 pounds with remarkably powerful tails renowned as swift coffee table clearers! The eyes of the Labrador are often commented upon as being warm and friendly, with an intelligent look. A further characteristic that should be noted is their famous appetite: Labradors display great enthusiasm for eating!

It is the temperament of the Labrador that makes the breed particularly suitable as a family dog. They love being around people and will be devoted companions to the children in the family. They are patient and kind-natured, happy to play at retrieving for hours on end and delighted to accompany the family on long walks.

Training is essential for the pup: he will be adult weight by about 7 months of age and his lively nature will be harder to train after this age. The young Lab will enjoy training sessions and his intelligence will see him quickly responding to obedience lessons. A dog with good manners is always a pleasure to be around, and he will be happier at not getting into trouble so frequently. Training is in everybody's best interests. Exercise is also important so that the Lab doesn't get fat, due to his healthy appetite. Overweight dogs are more likely to suffer from the malformation of the hips known as hip dysplasia, to which Labradors are unfortunately prone.

The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog in the USA for well over a decade, with a well-deserved reputation for being a great family dog. Choose your pup with care from a reputable breeder, read up all you can about these wonderful dogs and look forward to many happy years of canine loyalty and friendship.

Learn more about this author, Anne Penny.
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