Who wouldn’t be familiar with this particular breed when it is hailed by the American Kennel Club as the most popular pet in the US? Who wouldn’t love them when they are pleasantly gentle, friendly, family- oriented, trustworthy and intelligent? Anyone who comes across this beautiful breed couldn’t help but fall in love and when you hear the name, you picture out genuine gentleness and loving companionship.

The Labrador Retriever is a native of Newfoundland Canada but because of its pleasant and very agreeable disposition, it quickly gained popularity not only in the US but around the world as well. Fondly called the “Lab”, this dog is originally bred in order to have a quality and reliable companion for the fishermen and hunters. On the icy waters of the region, this dog vigorously helps in pulling in of nets and catching stray fishes on the boat; in hunting, they are an excellent and durable game retriever that fearlessly swims the freezing waters.

As a favorite family pet around the world, this breed is nothing but excellent! Labs are playful, energetic, stable- tempered, affectionate, naturally sweet and eager to please. They have no qualms even in meeting new people or being amongst other dogs and animals; they are equably social and welcoming and this disposition is inherent in them and it needs only a little enhancing.

The Labs are of high intellect, tractable and have the eagerness to please their masters that’s why training sessions with them are a piece of cake. They do as they are trained and told to do, too, and they do these tasks with gusto and with an aim of being applauded and liked by their owners. This breed is just useful in hunting, at play, and at competitions and you will never be disappointed with their performance every time.

Commonly, the breed comes in three different colors; yellow, black, and chocolate; these are the standard colors but other combinations or impurities of color are considered out of standard and is not given weight during competitions by the kennel clubs. Their fur is thick, short, and dense that it feels a bit hard when touched; they have outer and inner coats, too, that is water and weather resistant allowing them to survive any kind of weathers and any form of ground. Their body, longer and taller, is compact, sturdy, muscular, and strong that’s perfect for the high energy and endurance demands of hunting and other activities.

Labs are also perfect as playmates to children and parents don’t have to worry as much when the children is at play with them; this breed is inherently playful, gentle, friendly, and naturally affectionate and kind and so they are not likely to be hostile towards persistent and tireless children. As a housedog, the Lab is reliable and extremely loyal and will make a good watch dog but as a guard dog, they are not as excellent. During hunting, Labs are truly retrievers; they redeem shot games and swim across unforgiving waters in able to do their part as a hunting companion to their masters.

This breed’s talents and skills, however, are not only confined within the limits of the family household and activities. Labrador Retrievers are considered dogs of high intelligence, high trainability, and of supreme trustworthiness that they are made to perform tasks more critical than just retrieving and competitive obedience shows. Aside from being a house pet, the Labs are also used for police work, narcotics detection, and guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, sledding, and carting.

Every pet, no matter how docile or stubborn they are, needs an effective master in order for them to be the best that they can be. As for the Labs, a steady and firm hand that teaches and guides them are what it takes so they can be trained and honed to be better pets. The owner then, having a great pet such as the Lab must possess the qualities of a good leader and by saying so he must take control over the life and activities of the Labrador Retriever.