Good-natured and easy to train, the Labrador Retriever has earned a well-deserved place as one of America's most popular companions. Affectionate with the entire family, they have a special affinity for children of any age; but their puppy-like exuberance, which extends well into adulthood, can overwhelm a toddler. They make good watchdogs usually alerting their owners to visitors with a wagging tail as opposed to barking. Although they are more conservative with strangers than Golden Retrievers, don't count on a Lab to be a guard dog. They have few if any aggressive tendencies and accept strangers as if they were family. They get along very well with most other dogs and welcome any other pets the family may have. Field lines have enormous reserves of energy. Show lines make a calmer pet. But in either case, a leisurely walk around the block won't do. Their exercise needs can only be met with vigorous work, exercise or play. Swimming is one of their favorite activities but beware of pools. Once in, they can't get back out by themselves. If not provided with the companionship and exercise they seek, expect to see hyperactivity, destructive chewing, and annoying barking. Labrador Retrievers are slow to mature, retaining many enjoyable but sometimes exasperating puppy behaviors, such as chewing, well into their middle years. Keep a box of chew toys ready to substitute when the dog chews inappropriate items, including your hands. In the house, their energetically wagging tails can wreak havoc on knick-knacks placed on low tables.

Labrador Retrievers are large, athletic, muscular dogs averaging 21-24 inches in height and weighing 55-75 pounds. They have a dense, straight, short-haired, waterproof coat colored solid black, chocolate or yellow. The yellow may vary in shade from very light to very rich yellow but should not be referred to as “golden”. If brushed every week, they shed moderately. They enjoy all but the most bitter cold weather and do fairly well in warm humid temperatures provided they have shade and fresh drinking water available at all times.

A Labrador Retriever’s lack of need to be socialized is offset by their need for training. Their powerful necks barely feel a pull on a leash and they can easily drag you through a mud puddle or knock a visitor down. They have a stubborn streak but are easily trained for almost any purpose, excelling in many play, work and service activities including: retrieving, hunting, tracking, agility, frisbee throw, competitive obedience and field trials, mine detection, narcotics and bomb-sniffing, search and rescue, and as therapy dogs, service dogs, and guide dogs for the blind. They make great family dogs and are among the best choices for a first-time dog owner.