There is certainly no doubt that the Labrador belongs among the best known and most popular dog breeds. The reason is his extraordinary versatility, adaptability, intelligence and loyalty. Like the British Shorthair cat, the Labrador Retriever can be an ideal companion for almost anyone.
The ancestors of Labrador Retrievers come from Newfoundland, where the fishermen used them to bring fish and shot sea birds out of the water. Their superior ability to retrieve did not remain unnoticed for long, so at the end of the 18th century, these dogs got to the UK along with English hunters. Here, they bred the Labrador Retriever as we know him today. Originally, Labradors were bred mainly in black and yellow colour. Brown and gold individuals started to be exhibited only later, after the First World War.
Apart from love for water and excellent retrieving skills, the Labradors soon showed their other advantages and almost an incredible versatility. They’ve proven themselves to be excellent working dogs, but thanks to their mild nature and lack of aggressiveness, they have easily found their way also into our homes. That’s why they’re also suitable for families with small children. On the contrary, they won’t have a great career as security or guards of buildings. Today, in addition to being household pets, they are used also on search and rescue teams. They work as excellent tracker dogs in the police and army and as bomb or explosive search dogs. They are also great in the role of assistance and therapy dogs.
All these dog professions and popularity with the breeders is caused also by the nature of Labrador Retrievers and their high intelligence. They are courageous and persistent dogs with a friendly and mild character. They are smart and loyal to their master, they love to learn and learn easily and carry out commands great joy. Even thanks to their excellent sense of smell and swimming skills, they have a wide range of use.
Their love of water is really unusual, they hardly pass a pond, brook or even the slightest puddle without noticing it. They're simply water dogs, which only confirms their origin and the fact that the top layer of their hair is water-proof and they have membranes between their toes. This gives them a significant advantage before other dogs in water sports and rescue work.
Thanks to their characteristics and easy trainability, the Labrador Retriever is also suitable for beginners. Not even the care of the hair isn’t difficult in any way, it’s enough to comb it once a week. This also contributes to the popularity of this breed, along with their cheerful and friendly nature. However, as most dogs, they need a lot of movement. This does not mean that they would be unhappy in a small apartment, even though they are relatively large dogs that grow up to 40 kg, they only need to receive enough attention and care.
Labrador loves engaging in all the activities of the family. He will play and take care of the kids and keep you company, whether outdoors during any activity or in the evening at home on the couch watching TV. Company is really important to him and he doesn’t take well to long periods of solitude or lack of attention.
Anyone looking for the right dog companion can’t possibly make a mistake with a Labrador. He is adaptable, loyal and always in a good mood.
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