Why Labradors Make An Awesome Choice Of Dog

Welcoming a dog into the home is always an exciting time and there’s denying that they can make a very worthwhile addition to the family. However, what breed of dog you choose to welcome can quite the impact on your life with them. Labrador retrievers are a very popular choice across the boat, but why should you consider them? Here are a few reasons they stand out, in particular.

They’re fantastic family dogs

One of the most important factors for a lot of people is whether or not their dogs can get along with their family easily, especially their children. Well, it may be good to learn that labradors are chosen as family dogs regularly for precisely that reason. They’re loving and they share the love around, instead of being fiercely loyal to only one person alone, which makes them a good part of a bigger family unit. While they are playful and energetic, they’re not likely to jump up on children very often as well. When they are puppies they can be a little more exuberant, but that tends to mellow out over time.

They’re super cuddly

A lot of people, and children, in particular, have the mental image of being able to pet and cuddle their dog, only to find that some breeds do not like to have quite that much physical contact. When it comes to the Labrador, that’s not going to be your experience in the least. Labradors are people-oriented and people pleasers and they love to nuzzle up to people and lay on their laps. As big as they are this can take up a lot of space. This is also a big part of why they’re so effective as therapy dogs. When you need nothing more than a little affection and warmth, your labrador is always going to be there to give it to you.

They get you moving

There are plenty of health benefits to having a dog in your life, and one of the best is that they get you moving. After all, they have needs for exercise and for play and, in order to meet them, you’re going to have to play with them and take them on walks. You can learn more about how much walking a labrador needs here but, needless to say, they are one of the most energetic dog breeds you can find. Of course, this does mean that they might not be as well suited for a family of homebodies that is content to spend most of their time chilling around a home. However, a lot of people find that the lab energy is infection and invigorating in its own right.

They come in a wide range of colors

The golden-haired labradors might be some of the most popular choices around and, indeed, might be the first thing you think of when you think of a labrador. However, they come in various different hues, including black, chocolate, and the rare silver labrador, as you can read more about.  The different shades of breed you can get aren’t going to affect their behavior or other aspects of looking after them, such as their health, too much. But if you do have a preference for a dog that has a certain kind of aesthetic, then you might well be able to get it by looking at the variety of labrador colors that are available out there. It’s not the most important factor, but it is nice to have.

They’re very intelligent

You might think that labradors are big, silly jocks due to how playful and energetic they are, but the truth is that they are quite sensitive dogs and, furthermore, they are very intelligent. As such, they can respond very well to training, from making sure that they are able to follow cues to ensuring discipline in how they react when meeting people for the first time. As such, the training classes that you can find out more about can be very effective for labradors. This can make them even more reliable companions and will make them less of a hassle to handle when, for instance, going out for walks with them. Naturally, you have to put the work into training them yourself.

They don’t require a lot of grooming

While there is, of course, no such thing as a dog that doesn’t require some grooming and care from its owners, it is the truth that a labrador’s grooming needs are relatively low compared to a lot of other breeds. They mostly need an occasional bath to keep them hygienic as well as some brushing to keep their coat lustrous and to knock loose any hairs that have shedded but are stuck in their coat. Labradors have very short and dense hair that doesn’t tangle or require a lot of effort to work with and, what’s more, they will shed on their own, meaning that they have no need for haircuts. Nor do they require you to cut away hairballs, to clean eye stains, or to do anything else that can be much more time-consuming.

They get on with other dogs, too

Whether you already have dogs in the home or you like near a lot of dog owners or a park, and you want to make sure that your own pooch isn’t going to be causing trouble with the others that they meet, you want to ensure that you’re choosing a breed well suited to other dogs. Labradors are an excellent fit for just that reason. They can get along with all kinds of other dogs, from matching the energy of the more playful types, to staying calm and giving distance to those who might be a little antsier around others. Of course, you still have to be careful to notice and ward off aggression from other dogs by keeping yours away, but labradors rarely start the trouble.

It’s hard to regret making the choice to welcome a labrador into your home. As loving, lovable, and charismatic as they can be, they can make their way into your heart in no time