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Why Adopt a Lab?
Updated April 11, 2024
What do you get when you cross a chili pepper, a shovel, and a Labrador? A hot diggity dog!
Year after year, Labrador retrievers continue to be America’s favorite dog. Why is that? We’ll tell you what millions of other people have already discovered, but we’ll share a few bonus Lab characteristics from our own decades of experience.
First, a little history and some distinguishing characteristics about Labs:
Labrador retrievers originated on the island of Newfoundland, in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in the 1500s, when small water dogs were bred with larger Newfoundlands to create a breed called the St. John’s Water Dog aka Lesser Newfoundland. They were bred and raised by fishermen to help retrieve fish and nets from the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. With their water-repellant fur and thick undercoat, as well as their webbed paws and thick tails, the new breed was perfect for these jobs. In fact, Labrador retrievers are one of the most water-loving dog breeds in the world!
When Labrador retrievers finally found their way south to England in the 1800s, British hunters were excited to discover how excellent these dogs were at hunting and retrieving birds. It was in England that they were called Labradors and the name stuck. Labrador retrievers were introduced to the United States in the early 1900s, when hunters and farmers sought to incorporate their hard work ethic into their daily lives.
The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917, but they didn’t receive popularity in the United States until about 50 years later in the 1970s, when “they broke into the top 10 at No. 9, then jumped to No. 3 in the 1980s. They held the top spot for a record 31 years – from 1991 until 2022.” (AKC Website)
Here are some of the MANY reasons millions of people choose Labs over any other dog breed:
- Versatility. Labradors are extremely versatile. They make great service dogs, search and rescue dogs, drug & bomb detection dogs, upland hunting dogs, waterfowl hunting dogs, arson detection dogs, therapy dogs, allergy detection dogs, cancer detection dogs, diabetic alert dogs, dogs for the deaf, seeing eye dogs, dock dogs, and more!
- Tractability. Well-bred Labradors are easy to train because of their high intelligence. (Unfortunately, unlike our dogs at Marble Mountain Kennels, not all Labs are bred for intelligence, so you can run into some ditzy Labs.)
- Disposition. Labs are also highly social, affectionate, and outgoing, which means they make excellent dogs for families with children and other pets. Labs are non-aggressive and safe around people. (If a Lab ever shows aggression, there’s something definitely wrong; i.e. the dog could be wounded and in pain.)
- Low-Maintenance. Labs love water and swimming. They also require little to no bathing. In fact, they can get dandruff and itchy skin if bathed too often with soap or shampoo.
- Fewer Genetic Problems. Of course, any dog breed can develop genetic problems with irresponsible breeders, but Labrador retrievers have fewer genetic problems compared to other breeds. They can be predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, but we at Marble Mountain Kennels do genetic testing to make sure these genetic defects are kept to a minimum.
- Hunting. Labs started out as fish retrievers; then quickly became duck retrievers. They’re popular in waterfowl hunting and game hunting, due to their stamina and retrieving instincts. Some Labs are even bred to point, like the ones we breed at Marble Mountain Kennels. This means they can be used to hunt upland game birds, like pheasant, quail, and grouse.
- Energy (or not). Labs were originally bred to have high and endless energy, since this was needed in their swimming to retrieve fish and nets off the bitter cold coast of Newfoundland. However, the English Lab was bred for more of a calm disposition (as well as shorter legs and blockier heads), while the American Lab has been bred to be taller, slimmer, and with higher energy than the English Lab. Overall, this is what you can expect in Labs in the United States, except at Marble Mountain Kennels, where we uniquely breed our American Labs for that taller, slimmer build + calmness. Sometimes this is because we cross breed with English bloodlines, but sometimes we simply choose to breed the calmest American Labs we can. We also breed for a smaller, lighter dog overall. Our female Labs average around 45-60 pounds and our males average in weight from 65-75 pounds.
Links to More Information about Labs:
- Dog Food Advice & Recommendations
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Thank you to the Thorpe Family for sending us this link. - Veterinarians’ Guide to Labrador Retrievers
This website has good information about Labs, although you can tell by the size and weight of the dogs described that the authors refer to English, rather than American Labs, which are smaller. Thanks to Abby Donner and 2 sons for the link! - Gun Dog Supply
My favorite choice for gun dog supplies. - Home Cleaning Guide for Pet Owners
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Here's another disaster preparedness guide for pets on the ASPCA website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/disaster-preparedness - Safety Tips for Smokers and Vapers who Care about Their Pets
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American Veterinary Care Association (AVCA) - Keeping the House Clean with Pets
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And article regarding how to travel safely with pets in the car Thank you to the Brenham Community Center in Texas for providing us with another helpful link: http://expressfreightfinance.com/resources/traveling-with-your-pet/ - Costs Related to Pets
- Diatomaceous Earth as a Pest Control Strategy
We really like diatomaceous earth and frequently use it at our kennel for pest control. This website will give you more detailed information on this amazing and totally natural creation. - Guide to Flying with Pets: Knowing Airlines’ Pet Policies
Know the airlines' pet policies before making your reservations. - Pet Product Reviews & Tips
A website that offers pet product reviews and tips - Moving with Pets
To help ease your furry friend’s anxiety, we’ve collected some of our best tips to help your pet stay relaxed during a move and adjust seamlessly to their new home. - Me Puppy, a Website all about Dogs
great articles on dog training and care, breed profiles, etc. - Designing a Pet-Friendly Room
Pet Friendly Rooms and Furniture - Pet Friendly Office Space
Blog about how to create a pet-friendly office space - Senior Pet Health and Wellness Guide
Senior Pet Health and Wellness Guide - Canine First Aid Kits
A helpful article on what you might require in a first aid kit for your dog. - Shots for Dogs
Article discusses various immunizations for your dog - How to Camp with Your Dog – Go All Outdoors
Camping with your dog - 40+ Amazing Diatomaceous Earth Uses For Health, Home And Garden
More of the benefits of diatomaceous earth for dogs, humans, etc.