Labrador Retrievers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find about Labrador Retriever temperament, personality, and behavior.

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Labrador Retriever Temperament
What's Good About 'Em,
What's Bad About 'Em

By Michele Welton. Copyright © 2000-2010

The Labrador Retriever is one terrific family dog -- given enough vigorous exercise (preferably including swimming and fetching games) and not just a walk around the block once a day.

He is kindly, good-natured, tractable and takes most things in stride, but too much confinement and not enough companionship can lead to rambunctiousness and destructive chewing.

Most Labrador Retrievers are friendly with everyone and everything, though compared to Golden Retrievers, Labs tend to be more conservative.

Also more independent -- though quite biddable and responsive to obedience training, Labrador Retrievers can have a noticeable stubborn streak. Some have necks like bulls and barely notice tugs on the leash.

You must control his tendency to chew on objects and to mouth your hands - provide a box filled with toys that he can choose from to carry around in his mouth. A Labrador Retriever remains a spirited teenager for several years, requiring patience and training to manage.

If you want a dog who...

Is large and bouncy, with an enthusiastic attitude toward life Has a short easy-care coat Has a cheerful, tail-wagging nature Thrives on exercise and athletic activities Is steady-tempered and dependable with everyone Is peaceful with other animals Is eager to please and responsive to training A Labrador Retriever may be right for you.

If you don't want to deal with...

• Providing a goodly amount of exercise, not just a couple of walks around the block
• Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young or not exercised enough
• Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands in play
• Shedding and doggy odor
• Worry about a lot of health problems in the breed, requiring a very careful search to find a puppy with a good chance of staying healthy

A Labrador Retriever may not be right for you.

If I were considering buying or adopting a Labrador Retriever

My major concerns would be:

1. Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Labrador Retrievers MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by becoming destructive. Bored Labradors can make a shambles of your house and yard.
2. Bounciness. Young Labrador Retrievers (up to two or three years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people who are not steady on their feet. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, consider adopting an adult Labrador Retriever from a rescue group. Adults have a more settled temperament and you can specifically look for a calmer one.
   
   
   To learn more about training Labrador Retrievers to be calm and well-behaved, consider my dog training book,
   Teach Your Dog 100 English Words.
   
   It's a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will make your Labrador Retriever the smartest, most well-behaved companion you've ever had.
   
   Teaches your dog to listen to you, to pay attention to you, and to do whatever you ask him to do.
   
   
3. Shedding and doggy odor. For such a shorthaired dog, Labrador Retrievers shed more than you might think. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Be prepared for vacuuming. And the retriever breeds do have a noticeable doggy odor.
   
   
4. Finding a healthy one. From joint and bone problems, to eye diseases, to heart disease, to cancer, Labrador Retrievers can be risky in the health department.
   
   My dog buying guide, How To Buy a Good Dog, will teach you everything you need to know about finding a healthy Labrador Retriever puppy. Health problems have become so widespread in dogs today that this book is required reading for ANYONE who is thinking of getting a purebred, crossbred, or mixed breed dog.
   
   

   If you'd like to consult with me personally about whether a Labrador Retriever might be a good dog breed for your family, I offer a Dog Breed Consulting Service.

   
   Once you have your Labrador Retriever home, you need to KEEP him healthy -- or if he's having any current health problems, you need to get him back on the road to good health.
   
   My dog health care book, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy is the book you need. Raise your dog the right way and you will be helping him live a longer, healthier life while avoiding health problems and unnecessary veterinary expenses.

Please consider adopting an ADULT Labrador Retriever...

When you're acquiring a Labrador Retriever PUPPY, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important.

But when you acquire an adult dog, you're acquiring what he already IS and you can decide whether he is the right dog for you based on that reality. There are plenty of adult Labrador Retrievers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics that are "typical" for their breed. If you find such an adult dog, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. Just be happy that you found an atypical individual -- and enjoy!

Save a life. Adopt a dog.

Adopting a Dog From a Dog Breed Rescue Group

Adopting a Dog From the Animal Shelter