The More You Know: 6 Interesting Labrador Retriever Facts

Do you love dogs? Are you interested in learning more about a man's best friend?

Labrador retrievers are one of the most common dog breeds, but most people don't know that much about their friendly, furry friend.

Well, it's time to learn more. Keep reading to learn all about our top labrador retriever facts.

1. We Almost Ran Out of Labradors

In the late 1800s, labrador retrievers almost went extinct. That's because dog ownership was taxed significantly in Newfoundland and Labrador during that time.

As you may have figured from the name, Newfoundland and Labrador (now a province of Canada) is the home of the original labrador retrievers. Labs were originally bred to be hunting dogs by colonizing fur traders. However, they originated in Newfoundland, not on the island of Labrador.

The original name for labrador retrievers was the St. John's Water Dog, St. John's being the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador.

2. They are Great Swimmers

Labrador retrievers are some of the best dogs at swimming. Their fur is almost entirely waterproof. Their coats help keep them warm when the temperature in the water gets a little chillier. Plus, they have webbed toes so that they can navigate through the water with ease.

They're also shaped in a way that makes them suited for swimming. Their tails help them navigate the water with ease.

So, if you live by the water or dream of taking summers at a lake house, a labrador retriever might be the perfect addition to your family.

3. Labrador Retrievers are Great Family Pets

Labrador retrievers are one of the best dogs for people with families. That's because of their friendly and gentle temperament, their relative health, and the like. However, Labrador retrievers tend to be prone to obesity since they can't monitor their food intake.

So, you will have to monitor your labrador retriever's food intake carefully. Labrador retriever puppies are especially easy to train if you're worried about the amount of time it will take to introduce a new member into your family.

Other dogs that are great for families with kids include:

• Presa Canarios
• Irish Settler
• French Bulldog
• Cocker Spaniels
• Golden Retrievers
• Burmese Mountain Dogs
• Dachshunds
• Poodles
• Airedale Terriers
• Mixed Breed Dogs
• Basset Hounds
• Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
• Pembroke Welsh Corgis

If you'd like to check out one of these types of dogs, adopt today or take a look at this breeder.

4. Lab’s are Hard Workers

Labrador retrievers make for great service pets. They are one of the most common breeds to be used as guide dogs for people with sight impairments.

That's partially because Labrador retrievers are one of the easiest types of dogs to train, and their temperament is gentle and friendly, which makes them ideal for working with people.

Being a guide dog isn't the only job available to labrador retrievers. Labrador retrievers do well as show dogs, so this is your breed if you want a dog to show off to the world.

Labrador retrievers are excellent sports dogs; if you want a pet to enjoy some of your hobbies with you, a labrador retriever could be a perfect choice. 

And, as you might have expected from their origins, labrador retrievers make for excellent hunting or fishing dogs if you happen to be interested in either of those pursuits.

Some Labrador retrievers are even trained to sniff out cancer and other diseases, although its science is still somewhat iffy.

5. Exercise Required

Labrador retrievers are exuberant, friendly dogs. That's beneficial in many ways, but it also means that they need lots of exercise daily.

So, if you're looking for a dog that's a little more chill, labrador retrievers might not be the right choice for you. Instead, you may want to consider a different breed of dog. 

Labrador retrievers are also faster than the average dog, so if you're looking for a dog that can help pace you while you go for a run, you should definitely consider adopting a labrador retriever.

6. A Colorful Dog Breed

Labrador retrievers come in a variety of colors. There are the basics, yellow, dark chocolate brown, and black. Silver Labrador retrievers are rarer, but they certainly stand out from the crowd.

There are also labrador retrievers with a yellow-red color, similar to Clifford the Big Red Dog. You can even find white labrador retrievers, although they're the hardest to keep clean. The colors aren't mutually exclusive, either. Different colors can be present in the same litter of puppies.

There are also two different variations of labrador retrievers, the English variant and the American variant. While they have slightly different body shapes and sizes, they're both essentially the same breed of dog.

They're also both available regardless of what side of the pond you reside on, so you don't have to worry about location when you're seeking the perfect labrador retriever to join your family. So, look for labrador retrievers for sale in your area if you're looking for a new furry friend to join your family today.

These Labrador Retriever Facts are Just the Start

Now that you know these labrador retriever facts, why not share them with the world? Everyone will be fascinated to learn these facts about this amazing breed of dog.

Are you looking to learn even more about dogs and training? Check out some of the other articles on this website today.