If you're friends with me, then you know without a doubt that my favorite dog breed is the Labrador Retriever (no offense toward my toy poodle Christy, whom I love with all my heart). There's something amazing about labs I have trouble putting into words, but I'll try anyway.
10. They have an obsession with water.
9. They can get along with other pets you might have.
Just look at this lab with a cat. Our first lab, Lady, had a special bond with one of our cats, Lucky. They would often be seen lying together under the sun, by the door, or in Lady’s dog bed. Lady then taught our next labs, sisters Daphne and Duchess, not to chase cats, but rather to be friendly toward them.
8. Their tails are weird and can wag in circles.
Or maybe that was just my dogs. Whatever the case may be, their tails are destructive. If your labs are inside pets and you have a low coffee table, then their tails will knock everything off. These otter-like tails will bash against your legs as they greet you when you come home. Do not let a labrador's cuteness fool you.
7. They have a heart of gold.
If you’re sad and/or crying, labs will find you and comfort you. If you need someone to hug, they will be there. If you want to play, they are willing. Basically, these dogs are super sweet, kind, affectionate, loving. Just read this story about a yellow Labrador Retriever who comforts hospice patients.
6. They’re loyal.
Many dogs are extremely loyal animals, and labs are no exception. If you want an example, read this story.
5. They protect what’s theirs.
My family labs would chase off coyotes. Sadly, they also kept the deer away from the front of our house. They protect what’s theirs no matter what. This instinct is great for families, as labs will take good care of babies and children. They are sensible, even-tempered, and willing to please. Labradors take these characteristics and apply them when around children, as the dogs seem to understand that children need to be handled with care.
4. They are tough.
For instance, Daphne was run over by a golf cart. Twice. The same golf cart. TWICE. Luckily, she was fine both times, with only a few scratches. In July of 2013, my family was informed Daphne had cancer in the knee of her back left leg, and had only two weeks to live. When she was still around in August, we took her back to the vet. She said the cancer had expanded instead of spreading. In simpler terms, the cancer stayed within her knee instead of growing out into other parts of her body. She couldn’t believe Daphne was eight years old, meaning she qualified as a great candidate for amputation. We had her leg amputated, and she lived for a whole year longer. To sum it up, she was one tough cookie, or, I should say, doggie.
3. They can be hunting dogs.
My family’s labradors were true to their breed. They loved chasing anything and everything, from squirrels to rabbits (thankfully, they never caught any bunnies). We would take them hunting during dove season, and the dogs were always great at fetching and retrieving the doves my dad shot down. I never tried shooting the birds, but I would play the part of our labs and run with them to go fetch the doves. Sometimes, Daphne and Duchess would run with me while I ran around the outskirts of the field to chase the birds into flight.
2. They know how to have fun.
Labs are goofy fur-balls. Daphne was ridiculous. She once ran into a tree. That dazed her briefly, but she was up and running in a couple of seconds. She had turned around to snap at her sister, Duchess, because Daphne was dominant and didn’t want Duchess to pass her. When Daphne faced forward again, she ran into the tree she hadn't seen.
1. They’re one of the smartest dog breeds in the world.
Contrary to what one might think after reading my story above, labs are intelligent. Labrador Retrievers are ranked number seven in a list of the smartest dog breeds.Due to their intelligence, loyalty, natural hunting instincts, and some other characteristics, labs are often used as service dogs or in the military.
These are only ten reasons why Labrador Retrievers are incredible animals and great friends. I love my labs, no matter how relatively briefly they were in my life. One day, I will have a new lab, among other cats and dogs and horses, to make memories with and call my friend.
