拉布拉多寻回犬或称拉布拉多拾猎犬（简称拉布拉多，有时称拉不拉多）是一种中大型犬类，天生个性温和、活泼、没有攻击性和智能高，是适合被选作导盲犬或其他工作犬的狗品种，跟黄金猎犬、哈士奇并列三大无攻击性犬类之一。在美国犬业俱乐部中拉布拉多是目前登记数量最多的品种毛属短毛，外层直且紧密内则为柔软且能防水御寒的内层毛皮，如水獭般的尾巴跟脚趾间的蹼使它们非常适於游水，拉布拉多的标准花色有三种：黑、黄、巧克力。颜色是由两组基因控制，一组控制毛色有黑黄两种，另一组控制鼻头的颜色有黑色跟粉红，巧克力色是黑色基因跟粉红色鼻头基因的组合，黄色系拉布拉多则有两种鼻头颜色的可能，而黑色就是全深色的组合。
像其他类型的犬一样，英系和美系的拉布拉多寻回犬有些许差异。跟美系的更大点的拉布拉多相比，英格兰的拉布拉多是中等大小、更短、矮壮的。AKC没有作出区分，但两种分类来自于不同的血统。拉布拉多寻回犬也存在澳洲血系，在亚洲是很常见的，但在西方国家很少见到。
该犬种趋向于在整年里经常掉毛。它的毛通常相当地短和直，尾巴粗并有劲。拉不拉多寻回犬那像水獭的尾巴和带蹼的脚趾使得他们非常善于游泳。他们的双层皮毛相对比较防水，这也对他们游泳提供了有利条件。尾巴扮演着尾舵的角色来控制方向。
不熟悉猎犬的许多人发现拉布拉多寻回犬和黄金猎犬在大小、形状、颜色上相近，尤其是年幼的和浅色的黄金猎犬和拉布拉多寻回犬特别相像。他们的个性是如此的相近，两个犬种都很聪明、友好、好于表扬和易于训练。最显著的不同是拉布拉多寻回犬有短而直的皮毛、厚实的水獭尾，而黄金猎犬的皮毛长而呈波浪状、尾巴像大羽毛。
拉布拉多是相当均衡和非常全面的一个品种，适用于许多功能同时也是很好的宠物。它们很容易被训练，是一个服从性高的犬种。它们是值得分享你的爱的忠实伙伴。它们是非常友好的狗，尤其是对待小孩子们。通常它们不具备出现在其他犬类中的麻烦的特性，比如：占地盘、不安全、具攻击性、具破坏能力、不规则地敏感等。犬如其名，它们是出色的寻回犬。除此之外，它们本能地喜欢在嘴里以相当温顺和轻柔的方式叼着东西甚至是手掌和手臂。它们喜欢咀嚼东西（当然它们可以被训练成不这么做）。拉布拉多寻回犬的皮毛在一定程度上防水，因此它们能够被广泛地用于捕猎水鸟。
拉布拉多以成熟的品种和优秀的家庭伴侣犬（它们能与各个年龄层的小孩子们友好相处）而闻名，但一些血系（尤其是那些因它们的特殊技能被哺育的品种）的特征是速度特别得快，体格非常健壮。它们那种非常活泼好玩和无所畏惧的性格有时会导致伤害，这可能需要训练并牢固地牵引来保证它们不会挣脱人们的控制。大多数拉布拉多喜欢不断地捡回球和其他形式的活动（比如dog agility 或者 flyball），它们在相当程度上都是以食物和娱乐为导向的，它们相当的容易被训练，并对新事物无偏见，精力高度集中于对人的注意和反应。受寻回犬的血统影响，几乎每一个拉布拉多都喜欢游泳或者在水里玩。
许多拉布拉多的贪吃是臭名远扬，只要不被阻止它们会吃掉任何东西，并极其善于让仁慈的人们给它们投食。拉布拉多主人必须小心控制进食量来避免肥胖和相关的健康问题。
拉布拉多稳定的性情和快速学习能力使得它们是 服务犬 的理想犬种。拉布拉多寻回犬或称拉布拉多拾猎犬（简称拉布拉多，有时称拉不拉多）是一种中大型犬类，天生个性温和、活泼、没有攻击性和智能高，是适合被选作导盲犬或其他工作犬的狗品种，跟黄金猎犬、哈士奇并列三大无攻击性犬类之一。在美国犬业俱乐部中拉布拉多是目前登记数量最多的品种毛属短毛，外层直且紧密内则为柔软且能防水御寒的内层毛皮，如水獭般的尾巴跟脚趾间的蹼使它们非常适於游水，拉布拉多的标准花色有三种：黑、黄、巧克力。颜色是由两组基因控制，一组控制毛色有黑黄两种，另一组控制鼻头的颜色有黑色跟粉红，巧克力色是黑色基因跟粉红色鼻头基因的组合，黄色系拉布拉多则有两种鼻头颜色的可能，而黑色就是全深色的组合。
像其他类型的犬一样，英系和美系的拉布拉多寻回犬有些许差异。跟美系的更大点的拉布拉多相比，英格兰的拉布拉多是中等大小、更短、矮壮的。AKC没有作出区分，但两种分类来自于不同的血统。拉布拉多寻回犬也存在澳洲血系，在亚洲是很常见的，但在西方国家很少见到。
该犬种趋向于在整年里经常掉毛。它的毛通常相当地短和直，尾巴粗并有劲。拉不拉多寻回犬那像水獭的尾巴和带蹼的脚趾使得他们非常善于游泳。他们的双层皮毛相对比较防水，这也对他们游泳提供了有利条件。尾巴扮演着尾舵的角色来控制方向。
不熟悉猎犬的许多人发现拉布拉多寻回犬和黄金猎犬在大小、形状、颜色上相近，尤其是年幼的和浅色的黄金猎犬和拉布拉多寻回犬特别相像。他们的个性是如此的相近，两个犬种都很聪明、友好、好于表扬和易于训练。最显著的不同是拉布拉多寻回犬有短而直的皮毛、厚实的水獭尾，而黄金猎犬的皮毛长而呈波浪状、尾巴像大羽毛。
拉布拉多是相当均衡和非常全面的一个品种，适用于许多功能同时也是很好的宠物。它们很容易被训练，是一个服从性高的犬种。它们是值得分享你的爱的忠实伙伴。它们是非常友好的狗，尤其是对待小孩子们。通常它们不具备出现在其他犬类中的麻烦的特性，比如：占地盘、不安全、具攻击性、具破坏能力、不规则地敏感等。犬如其名，它们是出色的寻回犬。除此之外，它们本能地喜欢在嘴里以相当温顺和轻柔的方式叼着东西甚至是手掌和手臂。它们喜欢咀嚼东西（当然它们可以被训练成不这么做）。拉布拉多寻回犬的皮毛在一定程度上防水，因此它们能够被广泛地用于捕猎水鸟。
拉布拉多以成熟的品种和优秀的家庭伴侣犬（它们能与各个年龄层的小孩子们友好相处）而闻名，但一些血系（尤其是那些因它们的特殊技能被哺育的品种）的特征是速度特别得快，体格非常健壮。它们那种非常活泼好玩和无所畏惧的性格有时会导致伤害，这可能需要训练并牢固地牵引来保证它们不会挣脱人们的控制。大多数拉布拉多喜欢不断地捡回球和其他形式的活动（比如dog agility 或者 flyball），它们在相当程度上都是以食物和娱乐为导向的，它们相当的容易被训练，并对新事物无偏见，精力高度集中于对人的注意和反应。受寻回犬的血统影响，几乎每一个拉布拉多都喜欢游泳或者在水里玩。
许多拉布拉多的贪吃是臭名远扬，只要不被阻止它们会吃掉任何东西，并极其善于让仁慈的人们给它们投食。拉布拉多主人必须小心控制进食量来避免肥胖和相关的健康问题。
拉布拉多稳定的性情和快速学习能力使得它们是 服务犬 的理想犬种。拉布拉多寻回犬或称拉布拉多拾猎犬（简称拉布拉多，有时称拉不拉多）是一种中大型犬类，天生个性温和、活泼、没有攻击性和智能高，是适合被选作导盲犬或其他工作犬的狗品种，跟黄金猎犬、哈士奇并列三大无攻击性犬类之一。在美国犬业俱乐部中拉布拉多是目前登记数量最多的品种毛属短毛，外层直且紧密内则为柔软且能防水御寒的内层毛皮，如水獭般的尾巴跟脚趾间的蹼使它们非常适於游水，拉布拉多的标准花色有三种：黑、黄、巧克力。颜色是由两组基因控制，一组控制毛色有黑黄两种，另一组控制鼻头的颜色有黑色跟粉红，巧克力色是黑色基因跟粉红色鼻头基因的组合，黄色系拉布拉多则有两种鼻头颜色的可能，而黑色就是全深色的组合。
像其他类型的犬一样，英系和美系的拉布拉多寻回犬有些许差异。跟美系的更大点的拉布拉多相比，英格兰的拉布拉多是中等大小、更短、矮壮的。AKC没有作出区分，但两种分类来自于不同的血统。拉布拉多寻回犬也存在澳洲血系，在亚洲是很常见的，但在西方国家很少见到。
该犬种趋向于在整年里经常掉毛。它的毛通常相当地短和直，尾巴粗并有劲。拉不拉多寻回犬那像水獭的尾巴和带蹼的脚趾使得他们非常善于游泳。他们的双层皮毛相对比较防水，这也对他们游泳提供了有利条件。尾巴扮演着尾舵的角色来控制方向。
不熟悉猎犬的许多人发现拉布拉多寻回犬和黄金猎犬在大小、形状、颜色上相近，尤其是年幼的和浅色的黄金猎犬和拉布拉多寻回犬特别相像。他们的个性是如此的相近，两个犬种都很聪明、友好、好于表扬和易于训练。最显著的不同是拉布拉多寻回犬有短而直的皮毛、厚实的水獭尾，而黄金猎犬的皮毛长而呈波浪状、尾巴像大羽毛。
拉布拉多是相当均衡和非常全面的一个品种，适用于许多功能同时也是很好的宠物。它们很容易被训练，是一个服从性高的犬种。它们是值得分享你的爱的忠实伙伴。它们是非常友好的狗，尤其是对待小孩子们。通常它们不具备出现在其他犬类中的麻烦的特性，比如：占地盘、不安全、具攻击性、具破坏能力、不规则地敏感等。犬如其名，它们是出色的寻回犬。除此之外，它们本能地喜欢在嘴里以相当温顺和轻柔的方式叼着东西甚至是手掌和手臂。它们喜欢咀嚼东西（当然它们可以被训练成不这么做）。拉布拉多寻回犬的皮毛在一定程度上防水，因此它们能够被广泛地用于捕猎水鸟。
拉布拉多以成熟的品种和优秀的家庭伴侣犬（它们能与各个年龄层的小孩子们友好相处）而闻名，但一些血系（尤其是那些因它们的特殊技能被哺育的品种）的特征是速度特别得快，体格非常健壮。它们那种非常活泼好玩和无所畏惧的性格有时会导致伤害，这可能需要训练并牢固地牵引来保证它们不会挣脱人们的控制。大多数拉布拉多喜欢不断地捡回球和其他形式的活动（比如dog agility 或者 flyball），它们在相当程度上都是以食物和娱乐为导向的，它们相当的容易被训练，并对新事物无偏见，精力高度集中于对人的注意和反应。受寻回犬的血统影响，几乎每一个拉布拉多都喜欢游泳或者在水里玩。
许多拉布拉多的贪吃是臭名远扬，只要不被阻止它们会吃掉任何东西，并极其善于让仁慈的人们给它们投食。拉布拉多主人必须小心控制进食量来避免肥胖和相关的健康问题。
拉布拉多稳定的性情和快速学习能力使得它们是 服务犬 的理想犬种。The Labrador Retriever (also Labrador, or Lab for short) is one of several kinds of retriever, a type of gun dog. A breed characteristic is webbed paws for swimming, useful for the breed's original purpose of retrieving fishing nets. This and their subsequent use as hunting companions, gave them the name retriever. The dogs of this breed are very loving, kind and compassionate to their master. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog by registered ownership in Canada,[citation needed] the United States (since 1991),[2] and the United Kingdom.[3] It is also the most popular breed of assistance dog in Canada, the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and many other countries,[citation needed] as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities. Typically, Labradors are athletic, and love to swim, play catch and retrieve games, and are good with young children.[
Labradors are relatively large, with males typically weighing 29 to 41 kg (64 to 90 lb) and females 25 to 32 kg (55 to 71 lb). Labradors weighing close to or over 100 lb (45 kg) are considered obese or having a major fault under American Kennel Club standards, although some Labradors weigh significantly more.[15] The majority of the characteristics of this breed, with the exception of colour, are the result of breeding to produce a working retriever.
As with some other breeds, the Conformation (typically "English", "show" or "bench") and the Field (typically "American" or "working") lines differ, although both lines are bred in both countries. In general, however, Conformation Labradors tend to be bred as medium-sized dogs, shorter and stockier with fuller faces and a slightly calmer nature than their Field counterparts, which are often bred as taller, lighter-framed dogs, with slightly less broad faces and a slightly longer nose; however Field Labradors should still be proportional and fit within AKC standards. With field labradors, excessively long noses, thin heads, long legs and lanky frames are not considered standard. These two types are informal and not codified or standardised; no distinction is made by the AKC or other kennel clubs, but the two types come from different breeding lines. Australian stock also exists; though not seen in the west, they are common in Asia.
The breed tends to shed hair twice annually, or regularly throughout the year in temperate climates.[9] Some Labradors shed considerably; however, individual labradors vary.[16] Labrador hair is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make them excellent swimmers. The webbing between their toes can also serve as a "snowshoe" in colder climates and keep snow from balling up between their toes- a condition that can be painful to other breeds with hair between the toes. Their interwoven coat is also relatively waterproof, providing more assistance for swimmin
Labradors are a well-balanced, friendly and versatile breed, adaptable to a wide range of functions as well as making very good pets. As a rule they are not excessively prone to being territorial, pining, insecure, aggressive, destructive, hypersensitive, or other difficult traits which sometimes manifest in a variety of breeds. As the name suggests, they are excellent retrievers. Labradors instinctively enjoy holding objects and even hands or arms in their mouths, which they can do with great gentleness (a Labrador can carry an egg in its mouth without breaking it).[26] They are also known to have a very soft feel to the mouth, as a result of being bred to retrieve game such as waterfowl. They are prone to chewing objects (though they can be trained out of this behavior). The Labrador Retriever's coat repels water to some extent, thus facilitating the extensive use of the dog in waterfowl hunting.
Labradors enjoy playing with water
Labradors have a reputation as a very even-tempered breed and an excellent family dog (including a good reputation with children of all ages and other animals),[9] but some lines (particularly those that have continued to be bred specifically for their skills at working in the field rather than for their appearance) are particularly fast and athletic. Their fun-loving boisterousness and lack of fear may require training and firm handling at times to ensure it does not get out of hand—an uncontrolled adult can be quite problematic. Females may be slightly more independent than males.[9] Labradors mature at around three years of age; before this time they can have a significant degree of puppy-like energy, often mislabelled as being hyperactive.[9][27] Because of their enthusiasm, leash-training early on is suggested to prevent pulling when full-grown.[28] Labradors often enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity (such as agility, frisbee, or flyball).
Although they will sometimes bark at noise, especially noise from an unseen source ("alarm barking"), Labradors are usually not noisy[9] or territorial. They are often very easygoing and trusting with strangers, and therefore are not usually suitable as guard dogs.[9]
Labradors have a well-known reputation for appetite, and some individuals may be highly indiscriminate, eating digestible and non-food objects alike.[26] They are persuasive and persistent in requesting food. For this reason, the Labrador owner must carefully control his/her dog's food intake to avoid obesity and its associated health problems (see below).[26]
The steady temperament of Labradors and their ability to learn make them an ideal breed for search and rescue, detection, and therapy work. Their primary working role in the field continues to be that of a hunting retriever.
[edit] Exploration
A wet black Labrador exploring the beach.
They do not typically jump high fences or dig. Because of their personalities, some Labradors climb and/or jump for their own amusement. As a breed they are highly intelligent and capable of intense single-mindedness and focus if motivated or their interest is caught. Therefore, with the right conditions and stimuli, a bored Labrador could "turn into an escape artist par excellence".[9][29]
Labradors as a breed are curious, exploratory and love company, following both people and interesting scents for food, attention and novelty value. In this way, they can often "vanish" or otherwise become separated from their owners with little fanfare.[30] They are also popular dogs if found, and at times may be stolen.[31] Because of this a number of dog clubs and rescue organisations (including the UK's Kennel Club) consider it good practice that Labradors be microchipped, with the owner's name and address also on their collar and tags.[30][32
