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September 30th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Labradors are arguably among the most popular type of retrievers, if not the peerless. They were originally meant to help during hunts for ducks and other fowl. Even without Labrador training, these dogs love water (even up to now) and seem to do best in going into the water and bringing back the game its master shot.

Labs makes an excellent pet, affectionate and loving, and they are good working dogs to boot. Two lines have been developed in the US: the field line and the show line, the last one being bred for conformation and temperament. In any case, many labradors over the years regularly make distinctions in both conformation and temperament.

The field line is meant for hunting ability and field work. The two lines differ mainly because field dogs display the most drive and energy, while the show line is just a tad behind this.

Currently, labradors are known for their skill at hunting and retrieving after the kill. Anybody observing them in activities that compose Labrador training sees that their inbred hunting and retrieving instincts intertwine with their intelligence. Their positive temperament keeps any of their impatience and displeasure in check. No wonder these dogs make great pets; when a random group of labs were given the American Temperament Test, more than 91% of the Labs passed.

Labs not only earn recognition due to their work skills on the field, but also due to their ethical approach towards work and brains. Therefore nobody is bound to forget anytime soon the stories of labs who have saved their owners from various scenarios of life-threatening circumstances.

The versatility of labs (which still grows with Labrador dog training) make them highly favored assistance dogs, like sight dogs, hearing dogs, or a service dog for disabled people. Some labs can also be psychiatric service dogs! These last type serve their humans by reminding them it is time to take medication, or by acting as a brace when their humans feel dizzy.

Those who pioneered the use of therapy dogs have been able to show that patients in nursing homes and retirement homes benefit a lot when they receive affection and attention from dogs. If a dog is to help out in therapy work, the dog needs to be affectionate and gentle, and also permit petting and hugging from a variety of people of all ages and sizes. The lab is among the most perfect for the job!