You don’t need to own one to know why the Labrador Retriever has been the number one breed for dog owners across the US. This breed is as all-American as apple pie and the fourth of July. Its loving personality and all ’round goodness has earned the Labrador Retriever a place in homes across the country and the hearts of all those who have the privilege of experiencing its soft nuzzle. Let’s dig into the world of the Labrador Retriever to discover all about this amazing breed.
Where it All Began ~ History of the Labrador
The Labrador can be traced back as far as 200 years-ago to Labrador in Newfoundland, where a descendant of the Lab was used to assist fishermen in the day. The early Lab was most likely a breed from the Newfoundland dog called a, St.Johns. These dogs were great at hunting and had a natural capability in the water. However, it wasn’t until the 1800’s that the breed really took hold by two Aristocrats in England. These men began the process of breeding the Labrador Retriever into the dog it is today. With hard work and selective breeding the Labrador was officially made into its own breed in 1903 by the American Kennel Club.
Why We Love Them
Labrador Retrievers have stood the test of time for many reasons. They are an adorable and appealing dog, but with so many other dogs to choose from, why do people continue to flock towards this handsome creature? There has to be more than just its kind eyes and smiling face that continue to make it top dog. Check it out…
Gentle Temperament: Labs just don’t seem to have a nasty bone in their body. In fact, when the American Temperament Testing Society did their studies on the Labrador, it passed by 92.3 percent of all tested. This breed is easy-going and loves kids and other animals, making it a great choice for families.
Intelligence: This breed is smart and easy-to-train. It ranked number 7 among the most intelligent breeds and is used today for many service industries including; Search and Rescue, Police Work and Service Dogs for the blind, deaf etc
Adaptability: Because this dog can go from a beloved member of the family to a working dog, it has scored high points on a dog of adaptability. It has been used for a hunting and sport dog as well as being a child’s best friend – It can bring back a freshly fallen bird to its hunter’s side and still provide a warm snuggle for the family toddler.
Durability: Although “durable” may not be the first word you may think of when talking about a living creature, the Labrador does earn this title. Its sturdy build can take the rough housing of a youngster, keep up with an avid jogger or discover new things on a day at the beach.
Modern Day Heroes
These are great qualities to have in a dog and the Labrador embodies them all; however, the Lab isn’t just all those things we’ve listed, it is a dog that has earned the respect of people across the Nation. The Labrador has stepped up to the plate and thrown itself into harms way to save the members of its human-counterparts. When the twin towers were attacked, Labs were among the first rescuers to search the rubble. When disasters strike and hurricanes and earthquakes shake the region to its very core, Labs are there to lend their skills and quite assurance to survivors and their families. These amazing canines are fearless in the face of danger and will never stop lending their skills and expertise to aid and serve people. They are truly the unsung heroes of our day that work only for the pleasure of a kind word and a pat on the head. It’s no wonder the Labrador continues to be number one on the charts and in the homes of people across the world.
If you are interested in adopting a Labrador Retriever, find a reputable breeder, a rescue organization or your local animal shelter. These dogs make great pets and are sure to bring you years of love and enjoyment.
Dylan
Fisher cats are not cats. They are weaesls. If you saw one in the water, it could have been an otter, which are also in the weaesl family. Like all members of the weaesl family, they are excellent hunters and killers. Weasels and ferrets (which are smaller than weaesls) can easily kill rabbits. One of my ferrets came upon one of my cats fast asleep and tried to drag it away by the ear! (Of course, the cat awoke and objected!) The way weaesls kill prey is by biting the neck. They go for the jugular vein. Of course, they kill in order to survive, just like any other carnivore. Raccoons, esp. mothers, are considered extremely vicious and dangerous and they are not obligate carnivores; they are omnivores (they can eat anything). Weasels ARE obligate carnivores: they MUST eat meat. They do not have the part of the digestive tract for digesting vegetables. Any of these animals, of course, in the wild can be dangerous to humans. I got bitten so badly by one of my ferrets when I first took him in that I spent 8 hours in the ER. He was not wild, though, just had been mistreated by others. It took me well over a year or more of working with him to get him to trust me and now he is the sweetest, gentlest guy in the world. That’s because his basic needs are met for food, companionship, love, freedom to explore. (I don’t cage any of my animals and they have constant access to a large enclosed yard.)I also have 5 indoor/outdoor cats and there are raccoons and opossums here, as well as hawks and owls (and gray foxes and coyotes, altho I live in a city it’s a pretty wild, green city). It’s obviously safer for cats to be kept indoors, but they are happier going outside and they have learned to avoid the wild animals, as well as the wild humans. (One of my cats got hit by a car last year and I live on a double dead-end street. He was saved by surgery.)