ukpets logo
Pet Classifieds Pet Classifieds
  • For Sale
  • For Adoption
  • For Stud
  • Wanted
Post An Ad
Pet Care Blog
  • All Pet Care
  • Training Tips
  • Health / Grooming
  • General Advice
  • Interesting Articles
Tools Tools
  • Dogs
  • All Dog Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Dog Breeds
  • Cats
  • All Cat Breeds
  • Breed Finder Quiz
  • Compare Cat Breeds
Account Account
Register
Sign In
Connect With Us:
  • Classifieds
  • Blog
Advanced Search Post an Ad
£0£2000+

Top of the Pups: Why the Labrador Retriever Is UK’s Most Popular Dog

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Reading Time: 4 minutes

A recent nationwide survey revealed that the Labrador Retriever is Britain’s top dog. This comes as no surprise since the Lab has topped dog registrations in the UK for many years now. But polls and canine registrations aside, why do many love this dog breed?

Sara Cox and Ben Fogle with their dogs

TheTimes

Every dog is a winner but the Labrador is top dog,’ ITV presenter Sara Cox affirmed. ‘They seem to understand humans like no other breed.

What attracts me most to Labradors is their happy-go-lucky, bouncy, tail-wagging personalities,” shared presenter Ben Fogle. ‘They project a euphoria that I find contagious.

From the mouths of Lab owners, there is much to love about Labrador Retrievers. Let’s take a look at the breed’s origins and characteristics to understand why they are so popular.

How Labradors Came to Be

The modern Labs as we know them come from the Newfoundland dog breed, which originated in Canada. They were bred in the 1800s by fishermen on the Canadian island of Newfoundland. They wanted a smaller version of the Newfie that can assist them. Labrador Retrievers can fetch fishing nets and even fish that escaped hooks.

Labs love swimming and they are very good at it because of their webbed paws that act as natural flippers. Their otter-like tails act like boat rudders when in the water.

Because of the kind of work they do, this Gundog has tremendous stamina and powerful haunches. Their strong back legs allow them to jump from great distances into the water (up to 27 feet). Their coats (black, yellow, or chocolate) are a bit oily, which helps them float.

Trivia: This breed was named after the sea in which they worked in – Labrador Sea.

4 Reasons Labrador Retrievers Are Popular

Labrador Retriever Is UKs Most Popular Dog

  • Incredibly Friendly
    If there was a dog breed competition with a Best in Congeniality award, a Labrador Retriever will surely win, hands down. Outgoing and with a constantly happy disposition, this breed likes to make friends with everyone, including other animals. Eager to please, helpful, and fantastic with children, this dog knows how to adjust to various creatures. As such, it can live with smaller pets. It also likes to play the entertainer and bask in the attention!
  • Easy to Train
    Labs are smart and can be house-trained quickly. They also learn new skills fairly fast, which explains why they are one of the breeds of choice for police work, search and rescue and guide dog. They can compete and win dog shows. Whilst they are easy to train, they are not too smart to be stubborn.
  • Wonderfully Versatile
    They can take on various roles and can work as assistance dogs, sniffer canines, hunting companions, or dog sport specialists. They thrive in a variety of environments, although they like cold settings. They are best suited for families but can also live with individuals residing in apartments.
  • Energetic and Healthy
    Labs are like batteries on four legs. They never seem to run out of energy! They like to be active and have a sturdy body and health to go with it. They can live to around 12 years and are easy to care for. Their coats are low maintenance, too.
Trivia: Labradors have soft mouths. If trained well, they can carry an egg in their mouths without cracking it.

Should You Get a Labrador Retriever?

Labs are high-energy dogs and are best suited for families or people who engage in a lot of activities. As they love to sprint, they also need room to run. Homes with gardens are good havens for Labradors, although they can also thrive in confined spaces. They should be taken out on daily walks to help manage their abundant energy reserve.

Overall, Labrador Retrievers are great dogs for many types of owners, even first time ones. Just be careful with their diet – Labs love to eat! You can use their great love of food to your advantage. Using treats in training helps them to learn new tricks quickly, but don’t rely solely on edibles as rewards.

How do Labrador owners find having such a lively and warm companion?

I have lost count of the number of times I have returned home after a hard day’s work and my spirits are lifted by the tongue-lolling, excited greeting I receive at the front door,’ Fogle shared. ‘These loyal black dogs have been my guardian angels over the years, silently guiding and directing me.

Another owner of a black Lab said that his exuberant pet gave him many interesting challenges in managing his liveliness. However, he adored the dog and found him a fantastic and uplifting companion.

‘One of my favourite activities was taking Dexter to a sprawling dog park where he’d ramble over hills as if on some private hunt,” said owner Michael Lev. ‘He’d return happy, tongue wagging. His temperament was remarkable.’

‘He got along with cats. He barked at visitors… but never once growled at anyone,’ he added.

Do you have a Lab? If you are looking for one, find one among these pets for adoption/ sale! Or you can share with us your own Labrador Retriever stories!

FREE E-BOOK

home-remedies-for-dog-health-issues
Get your FREE e-book on

Home Remedies for Most Common Dog Healthcare Issues

when you subscribe to your weekly dose of pet-infused newsletters

Packed with solutions and ideas for treating
common health issues for your dog at home.

WATCH this Labrador Dad teach his pups to swim:

Share this: Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest Email

Hannah Mitchell

Related Stories

Pets Are Beneficial to Your Kid (Says Research): 5 Best Pets for Kids
Pets Are Beneficial to Your Kid (Says Research): 5 Best Pets for Kids
WANTED: Plump Pets for PDSA Pet Slimming Competition
WANTED: Plump Pets for PDSA Pet Slimming Competition
The World’s Greatest Dog Show Crufts 2019 Is Back!
The World’s Greatest Dog Show Crufts 2019 Is Back!
Latest Stories
  • Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?
  • Sings and Causes of Abnormal Dog Behaviour
  • Psychic Cat Comforts Over 100 Grieving Families
  • Weimaraner vs Vizsla: Differences and Similarities
  • Are Boston Terrier Good Pets?
  • Awful Dog Odour: Reasons Why Your Dog Smells and Ways to Prevent It
  • Japanese Cat Temple Café Hires Cat Priests
  • Featured Story

    Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?
    Boston Terrier vs Pug: Which Breed Is Better for You?

    Boston Terrier vs Pug—both flat-faced and bulky-bodied breeds may seem like brothers along with their other lookalike, the French Bulldog. But … [Read More...]

    Latest Pets for Sale
    8
    Siberian Husky Online Listings
    PURE KC registered husky puppies

    London

    2,800

    5
    Mixed Breed
    Female German shepherd x

    Great Yarmouth

    1,400

    3
    Labradoodle For Sale
    F1 toy labradoodles puppies for sale

    Newport

    1,800

    4
    French Bulldog For Sale in the UK
    8 French Bulldog KC reg pups ALL SOLD

    Gravesend

    2,000

    View All
    Post Pet Advertisements
    For Free!
    Sign Up Now
    UK Pets Tools Dogs
    • Dog Breed Selector Quiz
    • Dog Breeds (A-Z)
    • Dog Breed Groups
    • Compare Dog Breeds
    • Dog Names
    Cats
    • Cat Breed Selector Quiz
    • Cat Breeds (A-Z)
    • Compare Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
       Services
    •    Pet Sitters
    •    Pet Transport
    •    Pet portraits
    •    Pet Cremation
    •    Dog Walker
    •    Dog Training
    •    Dog Grooming
    •    Dog Photography
    •    Dog Kennels
    •    Hydrotherapy For Dogs
    •    Catteries
    Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Dogs & Puppies for Sale
    • French Bulldogs for Sale
    • Cocker Spaniels for Sale
    • Cockapoos for Sale
    • Labrador Retrievers for Sale
    • Chihuahuas for Sale
    Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Mixed Breed Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • British Shorthair Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Bengal Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Sphynx Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Ragdoll Cats & Kittens for Sale
    • Persian Cats & Kittens for Sale
    Other Pets for Sale
    • Birds for Sale
    • Rabbits for Sale
    ukpets logo
    • About Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy & Cookie Usage
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Pet Insurance
    • Post Free Pet Ads
    Copyright © 2021 UKPets. All rights reserved.