Top Dog Why Americans love Labrador retrievers.

Slate ^ | July 14, 2005 | Brendan I. Koerner

[libstripper]

I've had three dogs in my adult life, one half Lab and half Irish Setter, the next a full blooded Lab, and the present, who's half chocolate Lab and half Weimaraner. They've all been the sweetest, silliest dogs in the world; my present is the most loving of the three. I don't agree with the author that Labs are so popular because they're trendy. Instead, it's because they make such wonderful, entertaining companions.

I urge anyone here who's thinking of getting a large breed dog to go either for a Lab or a Lab cross, and don't forget the rescue societies. Many times an adult dog, who's a lab cross and a rescue dog, like my present, turns out better than any other.

[colorcountry]

The only thing better is a labradoodle....sweet and intelligent, non-shedding and non-allergy inducing.

[Lil'freeper]

Puppy ping.

[eyespysomething]

We have a black lab, and she is a sweetie and the best dog a family with 3 boys could ever want or have! I could go on and on, but trust me, she is #1!!

If only she wouldn't eat cicadas and then lick me! Ewww! lol

[goldstategop]

LOL! A kerrypoodle, the lapdog of the rich and French pretenders will be a popular pet dog with the nouveau riche.

[edcoil]

I too have had many dogs. The worst was a Bloodhound. Beautiful and loving but dumb and stupid and horrible to train living in the "burbs" - let alone their size, ours got to 150 pounds in 1 year. She was beautiful but a small horse. We donated here to the local police SAR unit.

The smartest was our cocker spaniel - one of the best was our springer spaniels (both small/medimum dogs)

Naturally the best was Nanny, our old English sheepdog. That is a super breed for those looking at big dogs.

[martin_fierro]

What a cutie!!

Up for adoption at the SF SPCA:

BARON - ID#A057771

I am a neutered male, yellow labrador retr.

The shelter thinks I am about 6 years old.

I have been at the shelter since Jun 13, 2005.

Shelter Staff made the following comments about this animal:

Got Toys?

If you've got toys, I'm your man! Toys, toys, toys. I love to play with dogs. If a dog's got a toy, I'll play with him. If a person has a toy, I'll play with her. Just give me a toy, and I'm as happy as a clam! You can see why labs are THE most popular dog in the Bay Area.

Toys and games are great, but I also need to go to school. I would dearly love to attend a reward-based training class. Would you take me?

An adult-only home would be best.

I weigh 83 pounds.

[i_dont_chat]

I favor the Golden Retrievers. Our last 3 pets were Goldens. They have the same disposition as the Lab, not much difference there.

There is a mistaken impression that the Golden requires more maintenance because of its long coat -- but actually the Golden's coat is almost maintenance-free. Of course, there is the shedding -- but Labs also shed.

Our dogs live inside with us. In fact, they think that the house is theirs and we just maintain it for them. ha!

(I love doggy posts!)

[Bringbackthedraft]

"I've had three dogs in my adult life, one half Lab and half Irish Setter."

Ditto! We had a lab setter mix too. He looked like an all black setter. The best dog we ever had. He never turned white on his muzzel. Looked the same for 15 years. Wish we could find another like him. 3 years now and he is truly missed by all.

[Syco]

I have a half Lab named Hobbes and he's by far the best dog I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. He is absolutely great with my kids and has more patience than anyone I know. He can be a bit needy and freaks out when left alone, but other than that he is an awesome dog!

[alice_in_bubbaland]

As the commercial goes "Dogs Rule". We have a large "Heinz 57" dog that we rescued 13 years ago and she is the sweetest thing. She's old and in poor health, but she still wags her tail and she's not in pain. I tear up every time I think about "the end".

[cicero's_son]

My boy is a 3 year old Lab-Great Dane mix from the local pound. He really shows more of the Dane characteristics, but he's all lab once he gets in the water!

[Fawn]

I wish they would stop breeding dogs altogether.....mutts make perfectly good pets.....
Need to cut down on the 'perfect breed'. Too many dogs/cats are dying because they have no label.

[avg_freeper]

Mine is half Lab half greyhound I think. We adopted her from the pound. She's a sleek tightly bound bundle of energy.

[kellynla]

Glad you mentioned the animal shelters, MILLIONS of dogs and cats are killed, yes lets not dress it up by saying "euthanasia"; they are killed at the shelters every year while these "puppy mills" churn out MILLIONS every year.

Go to your local animal shelter and adopt if you want a dog or cat. PLEASE!

[Aggie Mama]

We keep talking about getting a lab puppy (my parents have had several black labs and love them), but I'm not ready to have black fur everywhere. =(

[Fawn]

Actually the saying goes 'Cats rule..dogs drool'. The commercial is in error.

[secret garden]

Funny, we never thought of you as needy...

[marvlus]

Our black lab is like family. Smart, super friendy, a real people person. Sometimes when I'm sitting at the computer monitor at home, he'll come into the room and stare at me, as if he is trying to communicate to me telepathically.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

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