Golden Labs: The Ideal Family Pet

A Golden Retriever is a classic breed, one which many families choose to bring into their home as a family dog for years, if not decades. They are widely used in media to be the family dog in film and television, and not without reason – they are obedient, intelligent, quick to learn, energetic, and just a pleasure to be around, so why shouldn’t they be the ideal family dog? Of course, as with any pet, there are certain idiosyncrasies that need to be considered when you are thinking of bringing a Golden Labrador Retriever into your home.

What a Lab Needs

First of all, it is important that we reiterate the energy that a Golden Lab Retriever has. They are known to be very playful, and to always be seeking attention and opportunities to romp about, run, roll around, and rough-house; if you don’t provide your Golden Lab with enough attention, play, and exercise opportunities, then there is the potential for your dog to develop serious health issues as they grow obese, depressed, lethargic, nervous, or develop other physical or mental difficulties. Just like a human being, your dog needs to be able to use its body and mind to its full potential; if that is blocked, your dog will experience the same issues a human would!

Labs are very cheerful, friendly, and welcoming; you’ll rarely have an issue with your lab treating other dogs or strangers rudely, as they are very even-tempered and not prone to violence. In fact, they are a breed that is very eager to please, and consequently, their responsiveness to training means that they can easily be trained to be very receptive to other dogs, strangers, and new experiences and places while still being quite well-behaved as well.

The Right Dog for You

If you are hypoallergenic, this may not be the dog for you, as their relatively long coat means that they shed a fair amount – at least, an average amount. If this is a problem for you, then there are other breeds you can look into that are specifically developed for those who have canine allergies. If this isn’t a problem for you, however, then there may be no better breed – for intelligence, for energy, and for your family – than a Golden Labrador Retriever.