The Labrador: An Intelligent, Smart, Working Dog

As the breed's name certainly shows within it, Labrador Retrievers were bred in the beginning to help out in hunting by retrieving fallen game. Although, as time passed, what they did changed in no way but rather get a larger to include many other services and tasks.

Service guide dogs perform a task like no other dogs that work during their life. During the guidance work of these fine well bred dogs, a blind person is capable to move in the main arena of life, cleverly led by the "eyes at the end of the lead." A high valued bond like this between a human in dog again confirms the prized place canines have availed on our present earth. A service dog and his master share a unique relationship, a dog that thrives to give service to his master and the master who is uniquely capable to enjoy life to his maximum assisted by the work of a long life friend and companion.

The beginning of this guide dog project started in the country of Switzerland back in the 20s under the directorship of a person known as Dorothy Eustis. Originally, the dogs used in this project were of the German Shepherd breed but they were also females. Eventually, Labrador and Golden retrievers were used in this project. Many different countries use labradors now as guide dogs but some countries like Great Britain and Australia use them in much greater percentages.

Although this movement of using service dogs started in the country of Switzerland within the 20s under Dorothy Eustis' directorship, Now this organization resides in the city of Morristown, New Jersey. It has continued to own its breeding kennel since the year 1941, that has established a great ability to breed Labradors. In 1986, it successively bred 327 puppies of which 117 were Labradors. With the then breeding stock of about 40 adults, there were four male and 15 female Labradors that bred the puppies. Only the best of dogs are chosen for this special service breeding kennel at that facility. Once of age, these canines will eventually have to successfully complete a rigorous program of training developed by The Seeing Eye facility while also having to show superb characteristics in conformation and temperament. Labradors have always been known for being rather easy breeders which produce very large litters.

The Labrador does very well as a guide service dog mainly because of its size, well-rounded temperament, and ability to work. They are one of the best dogs also for families with children. Another characteristic the Labrador has that lends itself to being a great service dog is there small demeanor of stubbornness. Now, this characteristic will make the Labrador a little bit harder to train, but this stubbornness definitely sets the breed apart from others since the Labrador will be staggering to have his guidance thwarted in an emergency like situation(see Labrador, a Rescue and Disaster breed). For example, maybe that blind master has commanded the dog to move forward into a possible hazard but the Labrador stubbornly refuses to budge since he knows of the danger.