Labradors are some of the most well-known and loved dog breeds in the world. They are an incredibly common choice for families of all sizes and ages and are also often crossbred with other popular dog breeds. If you are considering owning a Labrador or just want to learn a little more about them, here are a couple of things you need to know about labs.
1. Popularity
For almost 30 years, Labrador retrievers have topped the American Kennel Club’s list of most popular dog breeds. This is due to a range of factors, such as their gentle and easy-going personality. They are also fairly low maintenance and easy to train. Other popular dog breeds in the US include German shepherds, poodles, and beagles.
2. Breeds
There are two types of Labrador retrievers; English and American. In general, the English lab is known as a ‘show dog,’ and the American is a ‘working dog.’ English labs are shorter and stockier, and less demanding, which makes them great for first-time owners. American labs are slimmer and heavier and have an enormous amount of energy. Labs are also often bred with other breeds to create new ones, such as the labradoodle, which is a cross between a lab and a poodle.
3. Colors and coats
Labradors come in a variety of different colors and shades, such as black, chocolate, white and yellow. Even though they may look similar, there is a difference between yellow vs white labs. The three coat colors are black, chocolate and yellow. There are variations in the shades, however, which is where a lab’s coat can vary from a golden yellow to bright white. There is also the possibility of different coat lengths. Labradors can be short or long haired, depending on their genetic makeup.
4. Temperament
One of the main elements of a lab that makes them so popular is their personalities. They may not be the perfect fit for every household and owner, so it is important to understand as much about them as possible to help you decide if a lab is right for you. In general, they are gentle, good with children, easy to train and take care of. They are strong and agile, with lots of energy, so they will need regular exercise, which is great if you are looking for a new workout. As they are working dogs, they also enjoy being given tasks. This is why they are a popular choice for service dogs, such as guide dogs.
5. History
Labrador retrievers are thought to have originated in Britain from imported Canadian water dogs. They have thick coats, which allowed them to jump into cold water to retrieve fish and game, as well as a great sense of smell and ability to be trained. Labs are thought to have evolved from dog breeds such as the Newfoundland and St John’s Dog. They retain many of these qualities today, which is why they are still used as working dogs in a variety of sectors, including therapy, military, and police.
Read Also:
