According to American Kennel Club registration statistics, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular purebred dog in America since 1991. Twenty years as the favorite is quite impressive. The Labrador Retriever has come a long way since it was first accepted into the AKC in 1917. So what is it about these sporting dogs that make them the number one dog in America?
A quote from the AKC website states, “The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog.”
Labrador Retriever Temperament
Labrador Retrievers are known to be easy-going and typically get along well with children and other pets. Although the Lab can usually be counted on to sound the alarm when something new comes into his territory, he is not an aggressive dog. When Labs were evaluated for temperament by the American Temperament Testing Society in 2010, 92.3% of those tested passed.
Intelligence of the Labrador Retriever
When more than 200 dog trainers tested dogs on how quickly they learned new commands and how reliably they obeyed first commands, the Labrador Retriever scored high enough to rank 7th among dog breeds on the intelligence list compiled by Stanley Coren, author of The Intelligence of Dogs. Labs are smart dogs. This breed, due to its easy trainability, is often the dog of choice for service work, rescue work, and police work.
Adaptability of the Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland where fisherman used them to help pull in nets. As the breed evolved, hunters often used them to retrieve game. Due to their outstanding adaptability, Labradors have, in more recent history, been used for police work, contraband detection, search and rescue, water rescue, water sports, guide dogs, assistance dogs, therapy work, and as pets.
Labrador Retrievers as Pets
In addition to their stable temperament, outstanding intelligence, and amazing adaptability, the Labrador is often chosen as a family pet because it is gentle enough for kids, yet hardy enough to withstand a little rough housing.
Labradors are quite energetic and make great exercise partners, often needing the activity to keep off excess weight due to a healthy appetite. They can range in weight from 50 to over 100 pounds and require minimal grooming for their water resistant short coat. Although the breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and some eye disorders, Labrador devotees, apparently, are willing to take the chance and willing to support the care needed should these ailments arise.
Labrador Retriever Heroes
Many Labrador Retrievers are heroes every day. Drug dogs like Bad, a black Lab in Lubbock, Texas sniff out illegal drugs and weapons. Labrador Retrievers are among those who search out and rescue disaster victims such as those of the World Trade Center, Hurricane Katrina, and the Haiti earthquake. Others assist physically challenged individuals, like Endal, a yellow Lab, who helped Gulf War veteran Allen Parton with laundry, banking, and other daily activities. Many of these dogs seem to go above and beyond training to perform outstanding feats of heroism.
Dorado was one of two yellow Labrador Retriever guide dogs in the New York City World Trade Center the day terrorists sent planes exploding into the twin towers. When Omar Eduardo Rivera, a blind computer technician on the 71st floor, heard glass shattering around him, breathed in smoke mixed with jet fuel fumes, and felt the unbearable heat, he believed that he’d never be able to make it out of the chaos alive. In a selfless act of love, Mr. Rivera released his guide dog, Dorado, offering him the opportunity to escape. However, the bond between them was so strong that Dorado returned to his side and guided him down 70 flights and out to safety just moments before the tower collapsed.
Roselle, another yellow Lab guide dog, patiently led her blind owner, Michael Hingson, through the smoke filled stairwell, amidst terror and confusion, to safety below. No amount of training could have prepared Roselle or Dorado for a trip through the World Trade Center demolition. Indeed, when nothing else remained, courage and heart endured.
America’s Favorite Dog Breed
Some research shows that actually the mixed breed may be the most popular dog in America but as far as purebreds go, the Labrador Retriever has it hands down. A sweet face, gentle temperament, easy trainability, low maintenance, and a hardy build are all desirable characteristics in a dog but when you also add in courage and heart, perhaps you have the formula for America’s favorite purebred dog.
Anyone considering a Labrador Retriever should thoroughly research the breed and consider adopting from a shelter or breed rescue.
Sources:
Stanleycoren.com, What Do Dogs Know?
American Temperament Testing Society Breed Statistics
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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