Dog Breed of the Week: Labrador Retriever
As you probably know, we are celebrating Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month! I chose the Labrador Retriever as the Dog Breed of the Week because it is one of the most common dog breeds found in shelters. That's probably because Labs are one of the most popular breeds today. A very large percentage of shelter dogs are at least Lab mixes, if not purebred Lab.
If you know Labradors, then you know that these are happy, friendly dogs with sweet, loving personalities. They are also masters of retrieval - just try to keep a Lab from chasing a tennis ball! With a strong history as water dogs and hunter's helpers, Labs are also great competitors in most of today's dog sports. Plus, their intelligence and loyalty make them perfect assistance dogs. Are you a Lab-lover? Tell us all about your "Labradorable" dog!
Photo © Jenna Stregowski
Comments
I raise Labs and they are the greatest companions anyone could ever want. My granddaughters help with deliveries, feeding and training these wonderful pets. They range from ages 2 years to 7 years and our Labs never stop wanting to perform, just to get a hug or praise such as good job.
I have a six year old yellow Lab named Tiger. Tiger is my Assistance Dog and I could not manage without her, she picks up and brings to me things I drop on the floor, even canned goods out of the pantry.
When I received Tiger three years ago a newspaper article was written about her and the heading was Because of Tiger I Live.
We adopted 2 Black Labbies from 2 different shelters. They are the greatest sweetest and crazy loves. Their devotion is bar none! Geez we couldn’t love them more……….Gotta love those black dogs…..
I adopted a wonderful black lab mix named Hunter from a shelter in 2003 at the age of 8 years old. I had him for 41/2 unforgettable years.
Sadly this June, he passed away. He lived up to his lab reputation as a most loyal and loving companion. His thirst for chasing a ball was hilarious and his appetite for food was astonishing! I miss him terribly. I encourage people to adopt a pet from a shelter, there are so many wonderful animals waiting to give their love to their special person, I can certainly attest to that, I was indeed Hunter’s special person.
We adopted our black lab from a shelter. The minute my stepson saw Scooby it was love at 1st site! What I saw was a 3 year old dog who had lost his hair off his nose, who couldn’t stand on all 4 legs due to being so weak and who was skin and bones because he was not eating because he missed his family. What we have now is the most beautiful lab ever! Scooby has been with us for over 2 years and you would never know from looking at him that he was so close to death. Scooby is a part of the family and a very happy, healthy 80lb lab who we have nicknamed as pogo due to the fact he jumps so high. One of the best days of our lives is the day we adopted Scooby!
I have two labs Lewis-yellow and Clark-black the were my mothers day present last year from my husband. They are very smart and very loyal, The best thing in my life!(other than my husband) there only 16mos old, OMG so well behaved Its almost like there human… Great big part of the family, I recomend labs to anyone seeking a great dog. just use your patients and a lot of rewards will come your way.
I adopted an 11 week old lab mix just over 2 weeks ago. I’ve been very sick for the past week and haven’t really been able to do anything with him exept take him outside to go to the bathroom. He is amazing! He is so good and well behaved. He sleeps in his crate at night & either plays with his toys or patiently lays with me on the couch all day! It’s as if he knows that I’m not able to do anything else right now & he just goes with it. I can’t believe how good he is being, no problem at all and only a little more than 3 months old. I couldn’t have picked a better little companion.
It’s hard for me to put into words what my two 11 year old yellow labs mean to me. Devoted companions, protectors of the home, the greeting committee, big happy smiles, playful enthusiasm, all heart, no complaints, feet warmers, eyes squinting and mouth ballooned open as we’re driving down the road, proud papa, and above all else the love you can see and feel through their eyes when they look at me.
I absolutely love my chocolate lab, Henry! He is so loving and loyal. We have a pool and he loves to swim. We have three girls and we had them and their friends in the pool all summer. Henry would wait for all the children to yell, “Clear” and swim to the side of the pool before he would jump in to fetch his ball in the pool. He is 100 lb. so we were glad he picked this up on his own. I couldn’t imagine our lives without him.
THANK YOU’ LAB LOVER’YOU SAID EXACTLY WHAT I HAD ON MY MIND TO SAY…. YOU SEE AT ONE TIME IN MY LIFE I HAD 10 LABS . 1997 TO 2003.. NOW I HAVE 3.. MY LABS GOT ME THROUGH SOME TOUGH TIMES IN MY LIFE.. WHEN MY MOM DIED OF ALHIMERZER, THEY WERE THERE FOR ME AND WHEN I LOST MY BROTHER,, WHO BROUGHT THE 10 LABS INTO OUR LIFE, FROM CANCER. THEY KEPT ME GOING.LIFE IS SHORT AND WAY TO SHORT FOR DOGS..GIVE THEM YOUR LOVE AND THEY GIVE IT BACK . LOVE YOU .. RUSTY TEDDY PAL MAXIE MITTINS LITTLE ONE RANGER BOB BILLY BEAR BANDIT…
My wife and I used to resque labs through “Packerlab” and LEARN. We had to give it up because it was so hard to give them up. We have a Choc
lab and in Feb we picked up one of our old foster labs. We love them very much. He is now in his forever home “ours”.
Labs are the most popular dogs in America for over twenty years for good reason. There is a lab color, personality and energy level for everyone. The American Kennel Club has ranked the dog breeds by state and guess which dog was either number 1 or 2 in popularity? The Lab.
Dog training labs is very easy. They are a breed that is born wanting to please people. This is a dog that fits perfectly into a busy urban place like Chicago. Labs like people, other dogs, other animals and pretty much everything else on the planet.
Labs are the one kind of love that you can get and you don’t even have to buy it!
The Expert Chicago Trainer
I have a yellow 5 and 1/2 year old lab and a chocolate 3 and 1/2 year old lab (girls). My yellow is a large girl not overweight now just big boned and muscular she is the tennis ball catching champ. She never misses a ball if you throw it to her. We try to throw it so she can’t always get it (go for the run) but she manages to outsmart us everytime! She is just too funny! The chocolate lab is my shadow! She is just with me 24/7 and no I am not complaining I love it! She is so affectionate and just the sweetest dog ever! We just love her tons and tons! They both love swimming in the pool and walks are a must! We have had our yellow since she was 5 months old she was at a home that they could not take care of her so we adopted her and have had our chocolate since 8 weeks old! They are both wonderful unique loving dogs. You can’t go wrong with a lab ever! Gee I think I need a black one now! Love labs!
I have two Lab mixes, their names are Honey Bear, about 7 years old and Roy who just turned two. I have been the owner of dogs most of my life, and I draw social security now. They are both rescues. They are the joy of my life and reinforce that each and every day. I always take them to a safe place in the country (three times each day) and turn them loose off leash for as long as they want to burn up their boundless energy. I value them so much that if forced, I would have to choose between any human and them an the Homo Sapien they win hands down. That has cost me a marriage. But I have no regrets. I simply pray that I outlive them. The very thought of the reverse is very disturbing to me, as so devoted and loyal dogs deserve it.
What would I do without my sweet Trisha and Raymond? Trisha is our yellow Lab, a rescue dog, and the sweetest pooch you’ll ever want to meet. My foster kids love her, (everyone does) because she always seems to be smiling and laughing. She “woo-woo-woos” like a wolf, and is begs for “people food” shamelessly. She is irresistable! The sweetest sound in the world is Trisha’s gentle snoring in bed right next to me. You may see her perched in the back window of our old sedan, as we drive around town. That’s her spot! Honk the horn and give her a big smile and she’ll smile right back and give you a big “woo-woo-woo!” That’s our Lab!
I have two beautiful, large, active, hyper, and AWESOME chocolate labs. 4 years and 3 years. They are my babies and my world. One sleeps on the bed every night since we brought her home, the other sleeps right next to me on the side of the bed. They are very protective of me, especially the girl. They love the dog park and the pool. Try and keep them out is a challenge in itself.
My females job is always to retrieve the water toy and bring it back. I never thought I could have such love for an animal until I got my Sebastian and Ariel. They are my life, as I am theirs..
That picture looks just like my Barkley! I found him ten years ago wandering around my neighborhood and so I brought him in my yard to be safe. He’s been with me ever since. He’s my protector..no one can be near me without him being in between. Bark’s the only dog I’ve ever had that I know would take a bullet for me.
He’s the best!!
I LOVE LABS!! WE HAVE 4 LABS. WE ALSO HAVE 1 BASSET. LABS ARE THE BEST.
I adore my Chocalate Retriever! Since babyhood, she was a lover and a play fighter. Shed jump unto the bed for attention, learned to shake hands, sit, lay, stand. and one morning plus-she could tap the Snooze button on the alarm clock in our new apt. that was on the floor, how darling is that!? She also Luvs too fetch, runnnnnnnnn, play get my legs, and more. I luv her til the end along wit my kitty, who chases paper balls and returns them to my mother. Happy Autumn.
My Father brought home and rescued are 9 year old Black Lab.. Gaby*
she became my best friend! she is the first dog brought into my life and thee best!! she follows me everywhere and when im not here she’ll start to whine it’s so cute how loyal she is to the one she sees as master. And when I’m not here she’ll take on to my parents or my sister. She is the sweetest and most loving dog ever!! those days I would come home sad/ maybe down she surely made me feel better! and so greatful and lucky to have her, she’s truly a gift from God! love my Lab!! 
**Gaby**
My dog was invited n to my office by one of my my patients. She laid down and was silent. Suddenly my pt. started to weep silently. Mello, my dog, jumped up and kissed her wherever she could. My pt. was deeply moved.
LABS ARE THE BEST DOGS EVER!
I have a 2.5 year old 75# male Chocolate Lab named Zeke (”Zekie Doo”). He is full of energy and life and he is the absolute sweetest dog ever. He loves to fetch and is always ready to play. He even goes running with me while I ride my bike (about a mile every day!)
He’s helped me through some tough times and is always there for me. Labs are so smart and sweet by nature. They are THE perfect dog. They have the best temperament. I don’t know what I would do without my “Doo”!
Labrador Retriever is one of the best dogs to have as they are very loving and make great companions.
My 16 year old son brought home a 5 week old black lab puppy on mothers day even though he was told we could not have a dog. My husband said the dog could stay for a 30 day trial. About the 5th day, we were madly in love with “buddy” he is the smartest, sweetest, most well behaved dog on earth. When he rides in the car he insists on a seat belt. He loves to watch me paint and will sit and look at my paintings. He is with me constantly and follows me wherever I go. Buddy is an integral part of our family and is loved beyond words