Labradors Are Easy To Train
You’ll be pleased to know that the Labrador is considered highly intelligent and thus easy to train. They are eager to please and love having a job to do. You only need to look at the Lab’s history – they were intentionally bred as working dogs.
Historically, the Labrador Retriever earned his keep as a fisherman’s helper by retrieving fish and fetching ropes from the North Atlantic Sea in Newfoundland, Canada. This was a skill that required not only intelligence but concentration, decision-making, and stamina.
Having been brought to England by fishermen in the early 1800s and further refined, modern Labs are still as good-tempered and hardworking as their predecessors.
They can be trained to perform almost any task and often work as retrievers for duck hunters, assistance dogs, drug detection dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
As long as you’re willing to remain consistent with your training and reinforce good behavior, training your dog won’t be too difficult of a task and is one of the main attractions why Labs are good for first-time owners. As they are very highly food motivated, training becomes extra easy.
You should start socialization and training when you bring your puppy home, usually around the 8-week mark. You can take some Labrador puppy training insights from my guide, 7 Speedy Ways To Train a Labrador Puppy.
Labradors are good-tempered, friendly, highly social, and love interacting with people, dogs, and other pets, making them ideal for first-time owners. They are great for families but also do well with a sole owner.
Due to their kind temperament, they will shower the whole family with affection. They are pleasant and gentle with children and babies but as with any pet, ensure to supervise your dog at all times. Due to their easy-going nature, they are more tolerant of children’s behavior than some other breeds.
Labs are also dog friendly and tend to enjoy playing with other dogs. Of course, they need to be socialized as a puppy first, as this is how they learn to behave appropriately with other animals and people.
They will also tolerate other pets, such as cats, mainly if they have grown up with them. This is due to Labradors having a relatively low prey drive. Most have no desire to hunt and chase other animals, such as squirrels or birds. They were bred to accompany their owner in retrieving the killed prey after flushing them out.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Labradors are a popular choice for families as a good first dog.
Learn More About The Labrador In this Video…LABRADOR RETRIEVER – ALL About This Popular Breed
Extremely Intelligent and Friendly Family Dog
While it’s important to note that designer breeds are more varied in temperament than purebred dogs, Labradoodles typically possess the resolute friendliness of a Labrador with the stable, even-tempered intelligence of a poodle. This is a breed that would be ideal for a family who loves being outdoors. Labradoodles love to run and are happiest when you can keep them actively challenged.
Labradoodles are also generally considered easygoing dogs that get along well with small children and other pets. However, since their rise to popularity, the possibility of them (or any other dog) being hypoallergenic has been discredited by science.
To learn more about designer breed health challenges generally, this is a good resource. You should ensure that you only work with reputable breeders when searching for your Labradoodle puppy. Generally healthy dogs, you’ll nevertheless want to check with the breeder for hip and elbow dysplasia as well as pattelar luxation in the puppy’s parents.
Most people know that the Whippet was bred from the English Greyhound. However, fewer know that the Whippet was bred to have a different set of traits to its larger hunting parent breed. The Whippet, like the Greyhound, made its name as a renowned hunter, capable of chasing down rabbits, hares and other small animals with ease. However, the Whippet was also bred to be a friendly, easygoing family dog. These traits are very evident today in this breed’s temperament.
Breed characteristics
Despite some Labradors looking sad, they are the best choice if you’re looking for assistance and companionship.
A Labrador Retriever is a working dog, and by extension, an excellent pet. Being America’s most popular dog breed, Labradors are easy-going and suitable as family pets, especially if you have small children.
Over the years, Labradors were divided into two different strains. The first strain is bred as a show dog, while the second strain is for fieldwork. But despite their distinct purpose, they still have the same common traits.
This breed of dog has a low adaptation capability. It can be hard for the dog to adapt to your living environment, especially if you live in an apartment. It can, however, moderately endure both hot and cold temperatures.
A full-grown Labrador stands about 21 to 24 inches in height and weighs 50 to 80 pounds. Labrador Retrievers usually have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
Labradors have a tolerant temperament and are very easy-going dogs. Although nervousness and aggression can sometimes manifest in this breed, it is not typical for Labradors. How you raise and train your dog will have a significant impact on their temper. A friendly approach and a calm environment will give you a higher chance of having a warm and good-natured dog.
This dog has a high drive to hunt and usually loves to roam around. It also has water and soil-resistant fur that are easy to wash and clean. It is a very active breed but is very friendly and obedient if adequately trained.
Labradors also are very sensitive and hate being alone. This dog breed is the best option for a first-time dog owner.
ARE LABRADORS GOOD FOR FIRST TIME OWNERS
Owning a dog can help you stay fit and active. Compared to non-dog owners, people with a dog get around 2 hours of moderate exercise a week just by walking them. Having a Lab encourages their owners to lead a physically active lifestyle that can help with weight loss and improve heart health. Aside from the physical benefits, dogs can also aid in improving mental health.
You can choose between many dog breeds. If you want an easy-going pet that can help you stay active, a Labrador Retriever could be the right choice for you. Labs are active dogs that seek attention, forcing you to spend more time with your pet instead of slacking off.
Before you get a Labrador Retriever, do research first. Get to know the breed well enough and arm yourself with the necessary knowledge for raising an active furry friend.