Originally a hard working gun dog used to spending its days hunting the Labrador retriever has an altogether different image today. Now, Labs are considered to be ideal family pets and if you want the perfect picture of doggie cuteness than a Labrador puppy will fit the bill. Labs are loyal and faithful companions for their owners.

Very popular with dog owners around the world the Labrador retriever is a perennial favourite with all age groups. Their cute looks and playful nature make them great companions for the young and the old and they are often trusted with jobs such as police and emergency rescue work.

The Labs friendly nature and desire to please their human masters makes them ideal assistance dogs for the disabled or the deaf and they often used as therapeutic aids for people suffering from all manner of both physical and mental ailments.

Labrador retrievers typically love water and they are incredibly strong swimmers. Their coat and otter like tail make them feel right at home in the water and they like nothing more than splashing around in ponds, rivers or in the sea.

And, as their name suggests, Labradors are excellent retrievers and one of their surprisingly pleasant attributes is the fact that they have extremely soft mouths. Apparently, a Lab is able to carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it though I have to say if my Labs got an egg in their mouth they would simply eat it. They have capricious appetites!

Though they were bred as hunting dogs Labs do not have the inherent aggressiveness and poor temperaments of some other breeds and have very few, if any, negative traits in their nature.

Children really enjoy being with Labrador retrievers and will be able to spend many hours every day playing games with the Lab enjoying the play as much as the child. Labs enjoy chasing and of course retrieving and will happily chase a thrown ball until the owner, or child, is exhausted. Labs love companionship and will always enjoy being around human beings.

As a general rule Labs are very easy to train as they are highly intelligent and adaptable. But they can also be stubborn and more than a little mischievous ” which I suppose makes them all the more lovable!

Labs are also very curious creatures and they will happily investigate any new surroundings with great glee. If something attracts their attention, particularly the scent of food, they will determinedly seek it out. Similarly they will happily trot after a person they havent met before simply to check them out.

Because of these attributes, they sometimes can be easily go missing or be lured away from their owner. Because of this it is highly recommended that Labs be micro chipped as well as having the name, address and phone number of their owner on their collar.

Labs are basically a healthy breed, though they are highly prone to becoming overweight as they have a tremendous talent for begging or finding food. But, like all dog breeds, Labs are susceptible to certain conditions and they can be prone to hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and other joint problems as well as suffering from diabetes.

Thankfully, most Labs will not encounter any health problems and will prove to be the perfect companion for all members of the family from the youngest to the eldest.

Looking for the best guide to Labrador Retreivers – look no further than the Labrador Retriever Guide an independent resource for all Labrador owners with a complete history of the Labrador Retriever

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