Whether you have newly become a proud owner of a Labrador Retriever or are thinking of getting one, you probably are curious to find out what this breed of dog is like. The Labrador Retriever is, in fact, so versatile and full of energy, that it has often been considered America’s most popular breed. Historically, this dog has proven its worth by being one of the most intelligent breeds on the planet. Early hunters and fishermen were so fascinated by the dog’s ability to fetch things out of anywhere (yes, even out of the water) that they used this dog breed professionally on fishing boats and hunting expeditions to utilize their top-notch assists. It is no wonder then that the Labrador has become excessively popular over the years for its strong nose and has been a regular with the police force in many countries.
The Labrador Retriever, commonly called the Lab, however, has found its place in common households as a family pet, too. So, what makes these dogs such great playmates? Read on to know more about the Labrador temperament and personality.
A Labrador’s Personality Traits
Labrador Retrievers are typically highly energetic. Their exuberance exists because for centuries they have been bred for hard work. This is why they make great service dogs or therapy dogs as they could continue to work for longer hours without losing enthusiasm. This Labrador personality trait, although inherent, tends to fade away if it does not get enough work.
In short, if you would love to have a Lab as a pet, you must ensure that there are enough things to do for the dog. The playful nature could turn into a disastrous one if it is not exerted enough. Also, their natural aptitude for fetching items gives them an oral fixation. If they have nothing to fetch, they often end up chewing things. Give your Lab a lot of playtime and items to retrieve. It needs to feel useful otherwise it could easily waste away.
A research study on a group of Labrador Retrievers suggested that Labrador behavior traits could also vary based on the dog’s physical aspects. For example, the study revealed that chocolate-colored Labs exhibit more agitation than their yellow or black counterparts when they are left by themselves.
What the dog was bred for also matters. For example, service dogs, who are typically trained more, have a higher tendency to fetch things and are open to more training. Show dogs and pets, on the other hand, could be lazy if the training was not started at an early age. Separation anxiety is also found to be higher in pets than in working Labradors.
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Are Labradors Aggressive?
As far as the general Labrador temperament goes, the answer is ‘no’. However, you cannot rule out aggressive behavior on the part of any dog when provoked, according to studies. So, how do you know whether your Labrador Retriever will ever exhibit aggression? Well, for starters, this breed of dog is intelligent, playful, and loving. They remain happy as long as they find a happy home.
If you are considering owning a Labrador as a pet, though. there are certain rules. Be sure to start training them at a young age and discipline them when their behavior calls for it. This way, the dog would realize from early on that you are the leader. If you do not take this step to establish your authority, it begins to exhibit its natural leadership qualities when it matures and even you will not be spared from bowing down to its mighty nature. It is still not aggressive, though, only commanding. Over time, if the dog continues to get free reign over its leadership, it might not respond to your commands, and forcing your way could lead to aggressive behavior.
So, how do you control your Lab if it does begin to show aggression at times? Continuing to encourage high levels of energetic exercise is one way of diminishing aggression. Remember, these are enthusiastic dogs and they need to work hard to keep their intelligent minds happy. Another way to control aggressive behavior is to help your dog socialize. When you take your dog out for a friendly walk in the neighborhood, meeting other dogs or even people, the dog is quick to learn other behavioral traits and its smart mind adapts to the good qualities of others. It also enables you to take its training to a different level.
Are Labradors Good Family Pets?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of family you are. Labrador Retrievers are generally loving and playful. Their loyalty is frequently vouched for by Lab owners. Their typically adaptive demeanor sees them make friends easily with children or other pets in the house. All of these personality traits make this breed of dog a great choice as a family pet.
However, to go back to the first statement, this friendly Labrador temperament could be overshadowed if you are not the right kind of family to own a Lab. Firstly, if you have infants or toddlers or extremely aged, frail, or ill family members, this dog may not be right for your house. This is simply because this dog is fairly large and in its bout of over-enthusiasm, it could knock someone down and cause physical hurt without meaning to. The contrary is also true. If you have older children who are full of energy and love to play around, this dog could be the best companion they ever had. Labs love to run around and make them the perfect friends for young kids.
Another type of family that probably should stay away from owning a Lab is one where every member of the house is away for the larger part of the day. The Labrador Retriever needs companionship, the lack of which could result in aggressive behavior on its part. At a young age, when it’s a mere pup, it needs constant care and affection, not to mention strong training.
Further, as these dogs are large and love to run around, they might not be suitable for those living in apartments. Your Lab needs a backyard where it could move around freely without knocking things over. The dog is an asset to an active and loving family that has the time to care for it. Make no mistake, if you provide the right environment for your Lab, it could give you much joy in return through its never-ending loyalty and friendship.
Is It Easy to Train a Labrador?
Yes, it is. One big reason that a Labrador Retriever is easy to train is its intelligence. These are the dogs that love to work and want to be trained. They do not want to be left alone to slouch on a couch while you are busy with your other activities. Lack of training could be detrimental to a Lab and it may turn aggressive.
Historically they were used for serious physical work, including hunting and fishing, it is in their genes to stay motivated and work harder to please the people that train them. Their geniality and excellent work ethic also make them an absolute delight to train. No wonder the breed is preferred in so many services, including rescue operations, therapy, and detection.
Okay, so they are well-trained when used as field dogs. But how about a pet dog, is it still as easy to train them at your home or are there any challenges? Owning to their innate skill and thirst to learn, it is usually no challenge to train your Lab at home. However, you must start early, right from the puppy age, otherwise, they might refuse to obey you when they get older.
A basic obedience program is a great way to begin. If you are unsure, you could always sign up for local dog training sessions. This is an excellent way not only to get your Lab trained but also to provide a platform on which it could socialize. Continue to motivate your dog by promising treats when it obeys your commands. This kind of positive reinforcement training works well with Labs because they love to stay inspired. As your Lab grows, continue to keep it motivated by always rewarding good behavior.
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How Often Should Labradors Exercise?
As must be evident to you by now, Labrador Retrievers are full of energy and they need enough exercise to stay healthy. Some other breeds of dogs might do fine with just a walk in the park a day, but that is not enough for Labs. If you do not exercise your Lab well, they not only lose their minds and start chewing everything in sight but could be susceptible to a range of health conditions. Further, Labradors are known to be voracious eaters and hence could gain weight rapidly. Being overweight could once again be the cause of a plethora of illnesses, including heart diseases, joint problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
So, how often should they exercise? Well, there is no one answer to this question as the amount of exercise your Lab needs depends on its age and the kind of breed. An adult Labrador might need rigorous daily exercise for at least 45 minutes to an hour and a half. This number varies between the type of dogs. As a general rule, service dogs need to exercise more compared to show dogs. However, each dog is different, so you need to evaluate your Lab’s needs as per its reactions.
When it comes to the type of exercise, try to help your Lab expend the maximum of their energy by encouraging outdoor activities such as running, hiking, and swimming. If you wish to exercise your dog indoors, you could play games around running and fetching. Make sure you have enough space inside your house for the dog to move freely while exercising.
Your Labrador – A True Friend
If you are bringing home your first Labrador Retriever and you have been smitten by its playfulness and loyalty, you could not be more correct. This breed of dog is a real keeper and a true friend for life. All you need to do is provide ample space for it to play around, match its energy levels through games and proper exercise regimes and train it at an early age to quench its innate thirst for learning. That is it. Watch your Labrador pup grow into a strong, admirable, adorable, and loving family dog.
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