Labrador Retrievers hold the title of the most popular dog breed in the US. Labradors are fantastic dogs as they have a great temperament, are beautiful and easy to train and care for. But there is so much more that makes these dogs special. January holds "National Labrador Day" as an unofficial day to celebrate those who love their Labradors. Here's our love letter to the best dog breed in the U.S. for well over 30 years and counting: the Labrador Retriever! Read on to learn all about Labradors, why they are special and why they are at high risk for arthritis in dogs.
"I do not love Labrador Retrievers," said no one ever. Why? Because Labrador Retrievers are loved by nearly every dog lover out there. It's no wonder they are the #1 most popular dog breed in the nation! Since 1991, the American Kennel Club (AKC), the experts on all dog breeds, has named the Labrador Retriever as the top dog in the nation, out of over nearly 200 different dog breeds. Here’s why we think they are the top dog:
Simply put, the Labrador Retriever is the most beautifully built sporting dog. They have a dense weather-resistant coat and their friendly eyes and floppy ears give them earnest expressions to fall in love with. They exude confidence and loyalty with their distinguished looks. Plus, they have a variety to their beauty: coloring in yellow, black and chocolate. A new development is that these popular breeds are extending into variations of colors. While Labrador Retrievers come in these three colors as part of the breed standards, you can bet that the diluted versions of these gorgeous colors which are considered champagne, silver and charcoal, are just as beautiful.
It is easy to fall in love with Labs. Need proof? Labrador Retriever puppies (enough said):
They are top dogs for good reason: Labradors are the perfect dogs for just about anyone, ranging from hunters who need endurance, to families with children and those who need assistance. They are athletic, so active people are drawn to Labradors as partners in whatever activity they might like from running, swimming and park activities.
Also, Labrador Retrievers are very fast dogs. While they are not the fastest, (greyhounds are the fastest breed dog), they have been clocked at going from 0 to 12 mph in only 3 seconds! While humans can't outrun most dogs, this is certainly true for the Labrador Retriever. This makes them one of the best hunting dogs out there. In fact, if you know a hunter, most likely their dog of choice is a Labrador Retriever. Their speed is one reason, but also their delicate mouth, which we get into later in this post.
Labrador Retrievers are great family dogs. Some call them "switch dogs" because you can turn the switch of a Labrador on or off. Want to go to the park? The Labrador is ready and goes to ON switch. Want to stay home and watch a movie? The Labrador is ready to lay by your side and goes to the OFF switch.
Labradors are fun, friendly and love outside activities. Obviously the Labradors retrieve, so they are always up for throwing a disk or ball in the park, then bringing it back. The further the throw, the more enjoyable for your dog! Labradors are also very welcoming of people and other pets. If a Labrador Retriever shies away from a person, there must be something wrong with that person. If you want a dog who is faithful, who will give unconditional love, and be by your side, this is absolutely the Labrador Retriever.
The Labrador is often the dog of choice for a wide variety of therapy dogs. It is in the instinct of a Lab to be helpful and they enjoy having jobs to do. They are willing and highly trainable to become excellent guide dogs. Labradors are known for having a "soft mouth" in that they can handle things delicately. This includes birds and prey, so not to damage them during hunting excursions, but also things necessary to be a good guide dog. Labrador Retrievers as service dogs are known for helping their people with many skills, including taking a debit card and putting it in an ATM, and withdrawing the money.
Labradors are easy to care for. They do not usually require going to the dog groomer, simply bathe them often and they are taken care of. Labs also do not bark as much as other dogs. Because they are people pleasers, they are easy to train. They also love other animals, so homes with other dogs or cats can easily introduce the Labrador into their home.
According to the AKC, the main stats of a Labrador Retriever are:
AKC member of the Sporting Group
Still adorable and loveable, there are over 50 Labrador mixed breeds that attempt to take the best characteristics of each breed. This also means some of the health risks of each breed need to be considered.
All dog breeds have health problems, Labrador Retrievers are no different. These are not drawbacks to having a Lab, just things to keep in mind as you help them stay in tip-top shape.
It’s always best to prevent problems, rather than fix them afterward. Labs can start to slow down sooner than expected due to joint pain or arthritis. Help relieve these signs safely and naturally by adding a joint supplement to their diet.
Here’s how to stay on top of these health-related problems in Labrador Retrievers.
Parnell Living Science is the expert on osteoarthritis (OA) of arthritis in dogs. Glyde™ Mobility Chews has a unique formula with key anti-inflammatory ingredients to combat the signs of aging. Glyde uses natural, gluten-free ingredients to promote healthy joints to let your dog do everything he or she loves to do! Glyde is the only dog joint supplement that contains proven levels of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis.
Glyde's proven formula has all-natural ingredients and high levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, plus Green Lipped Mussel (GLM). The proven levels of these key ingredients are what makes the formula unique:
Your Labrador deserves Glyde Mobility Chews, the best joint supplement for dogs to protect their joints and keep them active!
We love when we hear from our customers. We have lots of great news from them. Here’s Fiona and Walden’s story. They had a great experience with Glyde.
“I thought you may be interested in a very quick positive impact Glyde had on my dog, Walden. Only 5 years old, I bought it recently, to help his mobility as there was obvious arthritis in his shoulder. As in previous experience of use: it helped enormously.
It worked so well that I stopped giving it to Walden, thinking he was simply better. After awhile, I noticed the limping and slow movements returned. So I started again and found within a couple days of using it at the loading dose, it virtually eliminated the shoulder pain.
It is truly a fantastic product!”
- Fiona, Walden's dog mom
Labrador Retrievers are great dogs for many reasons. Be sure to keep them happy, healthy and active as they age for a long life full of opportunities for the entire family! As we celebrate our Labrador Retrievers, give yours lots of love and affection!