10 Things Only Labrador Retriever People Understand | Pupford

According to the American Kennel Club, Labrador Retrievers are among the most popular dog breeds in the United States. For their (parents) people, it’s probably not hard to see why. They are famous for their pleasant nature, loyalty, and helpful disposition. Most are family pets, but many work as search-and-rescue, hunting, fishing, and service dogs. From their endearing personality to their messy tendencies, here are 10 things about the lovable, hard-working pups only their people understand.

10 THINGS ONLY LABRADOR RETRIEVER PEOPLE UNDERSTAND

1. WHAT THE FETCH

Alright, so technically, fetch is a game – but to your Labrador Retriever, it’s much more than that. If you throw a stick or a ball, then you better know that pup is going to expect you to throw it again and again and again as they continue to return it to you. This shouldn’t be too shocking since the word retrieve is literally in their name. These canines were bred to retrieve all types of things, so for them – they’re just doing their job.

2. THEY'RE FULL OF ENERGY AND ENTHUSIASM

Labrador Retrievers love the world and everything in it. They are the perfect fit for anyone with an active lifestyle. They are fast and known for their ability to sprint. They can hit 12 miles per hour in just three seconds. A lot of excitement and energy can be fun, but it also means an ample amount of exercise is needed to keep this dog happy and healthy. Adult Labs require a ton of physical and mental exercise, a minimum of 1-2 hours per day, to eliminate their pent-up energy. As stated before, Labradors were bred to be working dogs, so they needed to be high-energy to do their jobs successfully.

3. THEY'RE PEOPLE PLEASERS

The reason Labrador Retrievers are typically easy to train, when it comes to dog breeds, is due to their need to please. Whether your pupper is as bright as a button, or a bit of a dozy darling, you know he really wants to make you happy. They love working with you to learn new tricks and cues, and with their eager-to-please, intelligent demeanors, training classes can be a joy for dogs and parents alike. They just want to do whatever they can to bring that smile to your face! Additionally, this people-pleasing attitude has made them an excellent guide, therapy, and rescue dog.

4. THEY LOVE WATER AND ARE PRACTICALLY WATERPROOF ;)

Labrador Retrievers are water dogs originally bred in Newfoundland from the St. John’s water dog, a breed used for waterfowling. Their coat, tail, and webbed feet all make it easier for them to swim. In addition, they have a double coat that insulates them from the water. They love being in the water and swimming so much; that you might even start to question if they are part amphibians.

5. THEY ARE REAL LIFESAVERS

Thanks to their powerful noses, some Labrador Retrievers have been trained to sniff out and identify early stages of cancer. Dogs can learn to smell the disease by working with cancer cell samples. They can make a diagnosis by smelling a patient’s breath, blood, or stool. For example, one of the most successful ways to screen for early stages of ovarian cancer is by letting a lab sniff the patient. Scientists believe the labs sniff out changes in volatile organic compounds that suggest cancer. Putting Superman to shame, they can detect when a person’s blood sugar levels are crashing and warn early about a diabetic episode. They can also tell when a person with epilepsy is about to have a seizure. And they can snap into action to calm down a person with PTSD that is having a flashback or panic attack.

6. THEY ARE NATURALLY KIND AND EXTREMELY FRIENDLY

Labrador Retrievers are good-tempered, friendly, highly social, and love interacting with people, dogs, and other pets, making them ideal for first-time pup parents. Your Labrador will lick your face to communicate affection and happiness, such as when you come home from work. When your pupper has been alone, your arrival is a cause for jubilation, and your dog will want to express his immense joy at your homecoming. They are great for families but also do well with a sole parent. In addition, they are patient and full of playfulness, which are excellent qualities for a dog to have if they’re going to be around children. In return, kids tend to draw to these dogs’ kind, loving personalities.

7. THEY ARE HOPELESS GUARD DOGS

Most Labs are happy to see everyone – including strangers! Of course, they’ll bark when someone comes to the door, but they’re not overly protective. They are a friendly, trusting breed and are more likely to lick an intruder to death! If an intruder has some food, they’ll probably show him where the safe is! Good guarding breeds tend to be those initially bred to protect livestock, whereas the Labrador’s job was to retrieve. They did not need to show aggression, hence their low aggressiveness and high level of friendliness. However, they can make good watchdogs if you train them correctly to alert you of any threat by barking, but most are unlikely to engage in the threat.

8. SHEDDING IS A THING, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT

These doggos can’t help but leave a small part of themselves everywhere they go. This means that you, your furniture, and their toys tend to have Labrador hair. The Labrador Retriever has a thick, water-resistant double coat that molts – a lot! So you’ll have to brush at least 2-3 times a week when you own this breed. In addition to shedding year-round, they also “blow their coat” twice a year in the fall and spring. That means you’ll have daily brushing when your dog’s undercoat begins to shed while making way for his new coat to come through. On a positive note, they are easy to groom as their short, smooth coat is easy to care for. They only need to be bathed every 2-3 months, or if they get extra muddy or smelly!

9. THEY'LL PUT ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH

If you have a Labrador Retriever or have ever had one, you probably know that they will put everything and anything into their mouths. But that’s because they were bred to use their mouths to fetch game birds and fish without damaging them when they helped with a hunt. Labrador Retrievers love to chew, so chew toys and treats are necessary if you want to maintain the state of your tennis shoes.

10. THEY ARE MORE THAN JUST AN ADORABLE FACE

The world knows by now that Labrador Retrievers are clever dogs. With their sweet eyes and adorable face, you might assume they’re just excellent cuddle buddies, but they’re extremely intelligent and even experts at breaking free. Compared to other dog breeds, Labradors rank among the brightest. This means they learn behaviors and tricks much faster than the average dog and quickly pick up on routines. When they were working dogs, this focus and intelligence made them great at their jobs – now, it helps them even take orders from a toddler if told to sit or stay.

They are sweet, intelligent, energetic pups that would make a great addition to any household and deserve all the love. And we here at Pupford truly madly, deeply, and irrevocably agree!

Tell us what do you love most about your Labrador Retriever?