Aspen is a Labrador Retriever from Westlake, Ohio and is a graduate of the Homestead Dogs Therapy Dog Training Program. Nice work Aspen Pack!

Labrador Retriever

The planet’s favorite dog, the Labrador Retriever.

Not only are they tops in the United States, they’re the favorite breed of Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia. Labrador Retriever’s are also prized as guide dogs, search and rescue, assisted living, therapy dogs and contraband detection.

Of course, the most popular gets the best press. Labrador Retrievers were the first dog to appear on the cover of Life Magazine and a United States Postal Service stamp.

But the Labrador Retriever isn’t just a pretty face. Labs were originally bred to be aquatic duck retrievers and ship mates for sailors on the cold, icy island of Newfoundland (technically, I think, the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador).

Their coat was ideally refined to restrict ice formation. Their iconic tail actually serves as a sturdy rudder for improved agility in the water.

Yet, one of their other top-5 favorite traits is the Lab’s unrivaled temperment. The fun-loving, easy-going, highly intelligent Retrievers just want to be everybody’s friend, man or beast. But despite this outward appearance, the Lab is a bundle of energy on the inside.

This sturdy breed was bred to be a worker in a rough land and they need an energy release and be included in family activities. Without enough exercise, a Lab can display undesireable and destructive behavior.

Trainability: A-
Labrador Retrievers have nearly an unmatched desire to please and become a fun-loving member of the family…uh, pack.

Learn more about Labrador Retrievers at The Labrador Retriever Club or the local Central Ohio Labrador Retriever Club.