There is a reason the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the country. Spend just moments with a representative from this breed and its overwhelming zeal for life is almost infectious. The Lab truly is a versatile canine athlete. He is strongly built and well-balanced to allow tireless work in the field. The Lab is an incredibly intelligent breed that is quick to learn and ready to please. He performs equally effectively in the marshes as he does in the uplands. Add to these characteristics a friendly, outgoing dog that is eager to please, and it's not hard to understand why this dog is man's best friend.

As with the Golden, the Lab's popularity has led to over-breeding and an increase in detrimental characteristics. In some members of the breed, the zealous outlook on life has turned into hyperactivity, while others exhibit signs of aggression, a trait previously unheard of in the Lab. Again, as with the Golden, the key to avoiding such pitfalls is to do research before making the plunge. Although doing research and finding a reputable breeder still carries no guarantees, it is the best you can do to stack the odds in your favor.

The Chessie may have been developed here, but the Lab has certainly become America's dog. A dog that loves life and only wants to please, its versatility ahs spread beyond the uplands and marshes. With its incredible intelligence and trainability it is being used more and more as the breed of choice in assistance programs, as well as by law enformcement.

Clubs and Organizations

• The Labrador Retriever Club
  www.thelabradorclub.com

Health Information

• Know of a Labrador Health site?
  Click Here to submit a link to the information.

Rescue Information

• Labrador Retriever Club Rescue Information Page
  http://www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue/