Labradors are friendly and sociable dogs that are great for families. Puppies of this breed are charming from the very first day as they appear in the house.

Labradors get along well in an urban apartment. They do not need special care and very unpretentious in food. They are general favorites, which are constantly pampered, so many dog breeders believe that Labradors are allowed to be more well-fed than other breeds.

These dogs have won the hearts of many politicians, writers and actors. Labradors are kept by the Princess of Monaco, Harrison Ford, Vanessa Paradis, the Queen of Sweden, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ted Turner. Hot fans of this breed are members of the royal family of Great Britain. Since the time of George V they have been breeding Labradors for field trials.

Labradors are naturally very sociable. Lack of attention from the owners can adversely affect the character of the pet. If the dog is often alone, it is advisable to leave it with other pets.

Breed History

The closest ancestors of Labrador Retrievers are considered to be dogs that belonged to North American Indians. As puppies, the pets learned to swim and helped pull nets out of the ocean waters. They are well adapted to temperate climates and are characterized by good health.

In Europe, representatives of this breed began to gain popularity in the XVIII century, when English sailors brought them to the west of Great Britain. The dogs were immediately seized by local squires who loved hunting. They had long needed an energetic helper for opportunizing game from the water.

As an independent breed, Labrador Retrievers were registered in 1903. Nowadays they are kept as hunting assistants and companion dogs. In addition, Labradors help the disabled and are in the service of the police.

Labradors get along well with children and try to make friends with other pets. They are playful and friendly dogs that never show aggression.

Excellent swimmers

Labradors were bred as hunting dogs for the purpose of spearing game. That's why they are good swimmers. A distinctive feature of the breed are webbed feet. This allows the dogs to swim long distances without problems and do not get tired.

Another characteristic feature of Labradors is the coat. The undercoat repels moisture well and allows the dog to swim faster. The tail, which is wide at the base, tapers towards the end and plays the role of a kind of rudder.

Breed Features

Perhaps more than many other dog breeds, Labradors are accustomed to chewing on a variety of objects. They are eager to try almost anything that comes their way. That is why the owners of a young Labrador should buy a large arsenal of chew toys in advance, otherwise furniture items will not be saved.

In addition, representatives of this breed have an excellent sense of smell. That is why they often serve in law enforcement. Labradors by smell perfectly find explosives and drugs, and also help to save people in emergency situations. These dogs can tolerate even acute pain and rush fearlessly into the hearth of a disaster. Snow drifts, fires and floods are no problem for Labradors, who are always happy to serve humans.

Dogs of this breed can be kept in the house or in the yard. They do not try to escape from the owner and do not try to dig a hole under the fence to go off on their own to explore the world around them.

By the way

In the first breed standard, only black colored dogs were recognized and all others were considered a marriage.

Natural health

Labradors are generally characterized by good health. The main ailment peculiar to the breed is considered to be diseases of large joints, which are associated with osteochondrosis. This problem manifests itself as early as puppyhood.

Labradors are very voracious and often suffer from obesity, so owners should keep a close eye on their pets' diet and not spoil them too much.