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Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever, Labrador, or Lab, is a retriever...a type of gun dog. The Labrador, once known as the Lesser Newfoundland, is the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in the world, and is by a large margin the most popular breed by registration in the United States (since 1991), and the United Kingdom. It is also the most popular breed of assistance dog in the United States, Australia, and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities.
Labradors are relatively large, with males typically weighing 30-36 kg (66-79 lb) and females 25-32 kg (55-71 lb). Labs weighing close to or over 100 lbs are considered obese. Most of the characteristics of the breed, with the exception of color, are the result of breeding to produce a working retriever.
Labradors have a reputation for being very mellow and an excellent family dog. They are good with children of all ages and other animals. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times.
Labradors mature at around three years of age. As a puppy, the will exhibit high energy and enthusiasm. Early leash-training will prevent pulling when full-grown. Labs often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity (such as agility, frisbee, or flyball). Reflecting their retrieving bloodlines, almost every Lab loves playing in water or swimming.
Although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially noise from an unseen source ("alarm barking"), Labs are usually not noisy or territorial. They are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not usually suitable as guard dogs.
The breed tends to shed hair twice annually, or regularly throughout the year in temperate climates. Some labs shed a lot; however, individual labs vary. Labrador hair is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make them excellent swimmers. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. Along with a few other breeds of dogs, labs are known for stretching out their hind legs straight when lying down.
Some of the content on this page was originally published on Wikipedia
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A yellow Labrador Retriever Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
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