This breed of dog is known to be patient, playful and patient with children and their unintentional rough approach at times, particularly when they are younger and that their motor skills are not as well developed as they will later be with time. It even becomes protective of children which make them ideal to have around your little ones.
This breed is also known as great hunting dogs because of their detecting and retrieving skills. As they are also great swimmers, partly due to their partially webbed paws, you can count on their performance during the hunting season.
Their sensitive nose allows them to have great detection skills which can also be used for detection work in the police crime unit. Rescue can also be part of their duties as they are strong, great swimmers as well as having good detection skills.
A Labrador retriever can also be trained as service dogs to assist people with special needs such as Autism, Epilepsy or any other seizures condition, visual impairment, physical handicap and so much more.
What kind of services can these dogs provide for people with special needs? Well, for people with Autism, they can bond with them and if they are non-verbal, they can understand and identify their needs in several areas. For physically handicapped people, they can retrieve certain things or do particular tasks for them.
For the visually impaired, they are their eyes which also help to ensure the safety of its owner. Concerning people with Epilepsy or any other condition related to seizures, especially if they are not under control, these dogs are trained to feel the seizures coming and ask for help even before they happen as they recognize the signs.
As you can see, a Labrador retriever can be so much more than a man's best friend. So before you get a dog, research the breeds as you could be surprises by the characteristics, qualities and skills that some breeds can have.
Before I had a Labrador retriever, I thought they were too big to even consider having at home or around children. Now that ours passed away two years ago, I cannot wait to have another one for my young children. I know first hand how gentle Labrador retrievers are with children and now that mine are also affected by Autism and uncontrolled Epilepsy, my husband and I are even more convinced that this breed is the best one for the needs of our children and our own.
The Labrador Retriever is one of several kinds of retriever. Although somewhat boisterous if untrained, they are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured, both as companion and working dog. With training, the Lab is one of the most dependable, obedient and multi-talented breeds in the world.
American or English
Labrador Retrievers are usually described as being either "English" or "American", they can also be described a show or field Labradors, with the show Labradors being the English and the field being the American. English or show labs tend to be smaller and stockier than the American or field labs. Having said that, it is not uncommon for an American lab to be short and stocky and an English Labrador to be larger and thin many due to the tremendous amount of small scale or backyard breeders that actively breed Labradors.
High Energy
Labradors often have high energy and are smarter than the average dog. This means if they are not given sufficient amounts of exercise and training they can be handful, especially as younger dogs. A good brisk walk in the morning and the evening is a good idea for younger to middle aged Labradors. They are a very pack oriented, social dog so these walks have tremendous benefits to keeping order around the home as well as giving both of you much needed exercise. Not only are Labradors high energy most have a food drive that is really second to none and I have often heard people say, "A Labrador will eat anything that is not getting ready to eat them". Maybe a little bit of an exaggeration but not by too much.
Labrador Colors
In addition to coming in different body types, labs come in a variety of colors as well. The Black Labradors are the oldest of the Labrador colors followed by the Yellow Labradors. Next are the Chocolate Labradors which are most recent addition to the Labrador family. Do not be surprised if your black lab has a sibling that is yellow or brown though. Yellow and black often are found in the same litter and when chocolates and black labs are bred together, which they often are, you will have a mix of chocolate and black labs.
Fox Red Labradors are making a comeback in recent years. The fox red coloration was the original color that was associated with yellow labs until it was almost entirely bred out to achieve the more desirable yellow cream color. If you go for the fox red color make sure you go to a reputable breeder as some folks are taking short cuts just to achieve the fox red color. Another recent development in the Labrador world are Silver Labradors. Some breeders have been producing them but there is significant controversy surrounding these dogs as other breeders believe these dogs are actually a mix of a Labrador and something else.