I’m a little partial to the Labrador Retriever breed because I grew up with so many of them, but there are lots of reasons why they make wonderful pets.
I’m a little biased because I grew up with a house full of Labrador Retrievers, but there are lots of reasons why labs make wonderful family pets.
Although labs make wonderful pets, there are a few considerations.
I have two guinea pigs and I’m currently looking for a lab to be an addition to my family but I’m starting to think that I might not be able to get a dog or that I may have to give up the guinea pigs.
I’ve had black labs for more than twenty years, on my third set. When we share away, we take littermates so they have each other and a familiar scent. My labs have never chewed on any furniture or wood fence or house trim. We did adopt a dog from The Seeing Eye Dog Foundation, who failed the program but made a wonderful, devoted family pet, so yes Che CJ those organizations make the best black labs for families. You will love your lab, what ever color you choose. Please walk them, play catch/fetch with them; the end is always sad, but the 12 years of joy are irreplaceable. and you will be life’s hero to your dog.
We have a black lab Bella. We got her at 6 wks old. My heart smiles every day. Bella is incredibly sensitive to my emotions and loving. Extremely intelligent. Gentle and loving with children. She lies next to me as I sleep to comfort me when I’m depressed or ill. They make EXCELLENT therapy dogs.
This was very helpful. I’ve been studying labs for the past month in case my family gets one.
My husband and I both work full time, and we have school-age children. Should I get a lab?.
Butters, our Yellow Lab, is the best family dog ever. I have no trust issues with our dog, and we have 2 younger children, ages 5 and 7. Kids can climb on her like a horse, grab a cow bone right out of her mouth, or put their hand in her food bowl. Labs require lots of patience and can’t get enough attention, but they are well worth it. When she was a puppy, she ate through my spa cover, destroyed my lawn furniture, ate stucco off my house, and devoured countless children’s toys, and I wouldn’t give her up for anything. So loyal, so sweet.
We have a 6 yr. old black lab. He chewed on the rocking chair that I used to rock our infant. He chewed on my husband’s shoes for the remainder of the time. He is the best. Everything you said is true. Tks s bunchI.
Not a single point made here doesn’t apply to our dog Bart. We have had him since he was 10 weeks old, and he is a chocolate lab. Im sold on the breed for life.
Thank you for this article. I’m getting a Lab and I have no experience with dogs, and all I know about Labs is that they eat your furniture. Well, it goes without saying that since I have never owned a home, I have never owned a dog. Great article, and Thank You.
They are very protective and good with young children, according to what I’ve heard, but they won’t bite.
I have three labrador retrievers named Shilo, Zac, and Harley. They are the best dogs in the world and my darlings.
I have two friendly and affectionate labs. I think they are the best family pets to own.
I really want a labrador retriever because it seems like a wonderful family dog and even though it has some drawbacks, all dogs have them. Labradors are amazing. especially with KIDS!.
Well, my dog begs a lot, and I’m not sure what to do. She’s a 3-year-old golden lab named Sadie, and she’s a great dog who loves attention and the snow. I adore her; she’s the best dog I’ve ever had.
My second and third lab puppies love to run, swim, and will always curl up on my lap. Labs are the best. My first dog was a lab, and she lived for nine years, but she was wonderful.
So true! I love this hub. Theo, my chocolate lab, is undoubtedly a lap dog and will jump up for a hug at the first chance he gets.
They are excellent dogs that make wonderful family pets. They are very intelligent. But I’ll agree that Labradors often turn to chewing, especially when they’re young or left alone. CLOSECLOSECLOSECLOSE.
Grooming: Do Labrador Retrievers shed a lot? Are they easy to groom?
Labrador Retrievers shed more than you might expect for a dog with such short hair—at least more than average.
The majority of their shedding happens twice a year, for three weeks in the spring when their heavier winter coat changes to a lighter summer coat and for three weeks in the fall when their summer coat changes to a winter coat. But they also shed some all through the year.
Due to their high level of shedding, labs require more brushing than some other shorthaired breeds. During routine grooming sessions, if you don’t diligently remove the dead undercoat, it will all splay out and end up on your floors and furniture.
On the plus side, obviously Labs need no trimming!
How much exercise do Labrador Retrievers need?
Many owners dont give this breed the exercise it deserves. These active, bouncy dogs require regular opportunities to burn off steam and engage in entertaining activities.
Otherwise, they will get bored and may act out by being naughty and destructive.
Additionally, laboratories require mental stimulation, which calls for engaging activities that keep the mind active:
A difficult dog sport, such as agility, rally obedience, musical freestyle, tracking, flyball, frisbee, or field trials, interactive dog toys, a homemade obstacle course, fetch games, and tricks are a few examples.
Teach Your Dog 100 English Words, my training book, contains some of these exercises.
Jump directly to:
Almost all of the obedience classes I’ve ever taught have had at least one Lab. This is due to the breed’s popularity in the United States, not because they have many behavioral issues, which they don’t.
And rightfully so. When given enough vigorous exercise, including daily fetching games and swimming if possible, the Labrador Retriever makes a great family dog.
This breed cannot simply be left in the backyard every day after a short walk around the block. Rambunctiousness and destructive chewing can result from too much confinement and insufficient exercise.
The Labrador Retriever is one of the best dogs for kids of all ages because it is kind, patient, and accepting of most situations.
Although most Labs are friendly with everyone, many Labs are a little more reserved with their affections than Golden Retrievers.
Additionally, they are more independent, though they are quite biddable and obedient to training. However, some Labs have a pronounced stubborn streak. Some people barely notice leash tugs because they have necks like bulls.
You must manage this breed’s propensity to mouth your hands and chew on objects; give him access to a box of toys that he can carry in his mouth.
The Labrador Retriever takes a while to mature and is still a spirited adolescent for several years. It sounds fun. but does require patience and training to manage.
FAQ
What color Lab is the best family dog?
Any color Labrador Retriever would make the ideal family pet. However, due to the fact that they provide a variety of traits, many owners prefer black Labs. They are peaceful people who get along well with kids.
Why are yellow Labs so friendly?
Because they have a well-deserved reputation for having a loving, affectionate temperament and because they have spent their entire history cooperating with their human handlers, Labrador Retrievers have this trait. In order to do their jobs well, they also had to get along with other dogs and strangers. Which has resulted in a rather social family pet.
Are yellow Labs calmer than black?
What about labs that are yellow? Are they more tranquil than labs that are other colors? Again, tranquility depends on breeding, not color. A greater number of yellow Labradors have been bred to serve as therapy and service dogs, so they have been bred for calmness.
What problems do yellow Labs have?
Overall, labs are healthy dogs, and a good breeder checks the breeding stock for diseases like elbow and hip dysplasia, heart problems, hereditary myopathy (muscle weakness), and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy.