MAN’S Best Friend(Golden Labrador)

There are numerous names associated with dog breeds. Often times the name of the breed is translated and re-translated to the point that the origin of the canine is lost. The classification becomes more confusing when mixes and designer breeds are brought in to play. The golden Labrador mix is one such breed that can be confusing, though with a little help they can become man’s—excuse me—a person’s best friend.

The Labrador retriever is one of several types of retriever dogs that are known for their ability in hunting. The dogs are often associated with hunting dogs, due their excellent sense of smell. Though hunting is one of their abilities, they can be trained to accomplish a variety of tasks. One of the most altruistic aspects of the breed is that they make excellent assistance dogs for the disabled. Over half, between sixty and seventy percent, of the guide dogs in the United States are labs. The high level of intelligence, extreme sense of loyalty to their owners, and their easy temperament make the breed suited for their roles a assistance and guide dogs.

There are many stories that involve the intuition of the breed as well. One of the more popular tales is that of a golden Labrador mix that, without prior training, managed to rescue their owner when they were in distress. The dog was able to obtain their owners cell phone, and dial one of the contacts in the phone to get help for their fallen master.

The Labrador, more commonly referred to as a lab, is the most popular dog breed in the world. By a large margin the breed is the most popular in the United States. There are several variations of the lab; one of the more common be the golden Labrador mix. The classic characteristics of the dogs are weighing between sixty and eighty pounds for males, and between fifty five and seventy pounds for the females. The average litter size for the females is between ten and twelve pups. One of the qualities that is attractive for the breed is that they are relatively long lived. The average life span being the of twelve to sixteen years. With the longevity, ease of, and diversity of, training the labs make excellent companions.