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Reader Stories: Living with a Labrador Retriever

By , About.com Guide

Labrador Retrievers are known for their intelligence, fine character and good temperament. Though bred to be retrieving gun dogs, these qualities also make them excellent companions. Here's a profile of the breed that describes common characteristics of Labrador Retrievers. But like people, each dog is unique. If you own a Labrador Retriever, we'd like to know more about your pet. Your story will help prospective owners decide whether a Labrador Retriever is the right pet for them.

Talk About Your Labrador!

Buster is Awesome

A loyal companion that I can't think of living without. Having him away for a few days is simply unbearable. He always seeks attention. (He never gets enough!) He loves the water; he just won't stay …More

Buddy is Loving but Hyper

Buddy was house trained in just a few days. Figured that out very fast. Keeping him from "stealing" socks, hair ties and the cats' toys has been another story however. He does love the cat tho. But t…More

Madison is a Handful

A power house of energy and chewing. Madison was super easy to potty train and learned the basic commands very quickly. However now at age 7 months we have our hands full with what seems like seperat…More

Pork Pie is Crazy and So Loyal

Loyal! He sooo wants to please and be loved (and be the centre of attention all the time). He loves his walks and most days (4 out of 7) he gets a 2-3 hour one. He is very gentle around children but …More

Happy, Loving Max

fun...loving...sweet...loyal...friendly...FUNNY...and loving. Very easy to train...and very fun to be with at anytime of the day or night! No medical issues. Watch his weight and feed him properly. H…More

Lolly, Fun and Smart

my best freind in the hole world evry time i wake up or come home i pay with her and her puppies.i don't have anything to say so um... i think thats it. for the last time i do not have anything to sa…More

Isabella Rose-a-lean-e

Sweet, lovable, fun, funny, friendly, great traveler - flies to Arizona every winter from Ohio knowing she can use our pool when she gets there, awesome companion, smart, sooo smart, wants to please …More

Coop - Loyal, Special, Smart

Very driven of loving someone and fetching his ball. He wasn't really funny but when he had his moments he was the funniest dog in the world. Even though he loved his tennis ball. He would give his b…More

Cheyenne, My Guardian Angel

My guardian angel. She helped me through several emotional traumas in my life. She loves me unconditionally. She is the best companion I could ever ask for. Her loyalty is unbelievable. She loves all…More

Winston aka Woogie

My lab was a charm to train (except for the chewing problems). In fact, Woogie was so clean, I never had to housebreak. He only went outside... but I had to walk him. If I just let him out, he would …More

The Gigantic Sir Lucas Caisse

Lovable, loyal, gigantic, great watch dog. My Lukey peed in the house 3x and pooped once and he was trained. He never chewed up anything, which is unusual. I have trained him to sit, stay, give each …More

Buddy & Jake are Wonderful

My lab Jake is a yellow and no health problems, easy to potty train, he does have ear problems and always has to have meds put in them, and he likes to lick his feet.Buddy is a chocolate lab and pitb…More

Aiko, Yann & Samson

Each of my Labs has its own personality. My female has a strong personality, listens to me, but was a challenge training because she thought she was the alpha dog! The other two are males and they ar…More

Finn and Munch

Wonderful entertainment. We never had a dog that enjoyed toys, fetching and playing with us as much as these two. Finn is the black dog and Munch the white one. Finn thinks it is great if he can carr…More

My Labradors, Sebastian And Luther

These dogs were fun-loving and once out of puppyhood, very easy to train. When we were evacuated because of a forest fire, both dogs went with us to the motel. They both jumped up in the bed with me …More

Our Lab Was My Best Christmas Present

Ben is my soulpet, he is very loving and quiet. You can take him anywhere and he will go and lie down and no one will even know he is there. He trained like a dream, he has not even once had a accide…More

First Class Gundogs

Hard working and willing whatever the weather. They are dogs I am proud of and often take them out with Cocker Spaniels to picking up grouse, partridges and pheasants in the English Countryside. They…More

Sweet Lehigh, Our Lab

We are told she was hit by a car (on Lehigh Avenue) and nearly died, but a nice stranger rescued her and arranged for vet care. About 2/3 of her tail had to be amputated but what remains wags like cr…More

Labs Are Patient, Gentle Dogs

Marshal was more than a dog. He was a loyal, friendly gentle buddy. Each day as I drove up in my car he ran to the car and stuck his head on my lap as soon as I opened the door. He was my vent for fr…More

Our Lab Browning Is Smart And Loving

A little boy, sometimes I call him Pinocchio because he wants to be a real boy - er maybe I want him to be the real boy. He is so smart and loving he'd do anything we asked. He is the best duck hunte…More

We Fell In Love With Our Lab, Patch

Smart, easy going, able to communicate his needs and wants easily. In fact our Vet wants to breed Patch with her dog as Patch is a purebred, as he is very easy going and has a wonderful attitude. Pat…More

Our Labradors Are The Best Dogs Ever

Now it is a bit different for Boy & Girl. We have acreage now and there is wildlife. Housebreaking? not a problem with these two who were country born. They used to get tossed on my lap while I was l…More

Maxine the Lab

She is an awesome friend. Maxine has always been dependable. She was pretty boisterous in her younger years, and at times she wore me out - picking up after her and keeping her from chewing on things…More

Getting Labs Was The Best Thing We Ever Did

Loving, funny, full of energy. Ava was easy to train, like I said we never had a pet before so if we can do it anyone could. Leroy was trained already, and he pick up right away where to go. He never…More

Bingo

Bingo has a very good character and temperament. Actually, you may get scared at their huge size, but once you get to know them, Labs are such angels. So mild, they are always at your beck and call a…More

Maggie, a Loving Lab

Maggie is part of the family. She is very loving and keeps us both active. She will chase a ball, stick or anything else thrown for her until she is exhausted. Then she will rest a few minutes and be…More

Odie, the Labrador Lap Dog

About the best dog I have ever had. He was a gentle giant. He was big, but not aggressive. I thought he was a lap dog.He was already trained when I got him from the shelter and he stayed outside, so …More

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