There is nothing more precious than the bond that often forms between children and their dogs. This is especially true of family dogs that grow up with human children from their puppy days. As parents, you have to give careful thought to bringing a dog into the family, and then you have to choose the breed of the family dog with care. If you are thinking about bringing a Labrador retriever home, there are some things to consider.

The Labrador retriever is a common sight in neighborhoods with a lot of children. You can go to local parks or just walk around your neighborhood to see at least a couple labs in households with children. It is common to see teenagers out walking their labs, while many parents are found pushing strollers while walking their labs. Obviously, many families choose the lab as their family pet.

What makes so many families choose a Labrador retriever as their family pet? There are a few reasons:

• The lab is not an aggressive dog that is likely to bite another person or a child. Most labs just want attention and love, though they can be protective over their owners when there is a serious threat.
• Labs are great companions for children. This is a spirited breed that loves to run and play, so their energy is definitely up there with a child’s energy. For an active family that is always going out to do something, this type of dog is needed in order to keep up.
• Labs are known to play more with other dogs than fight with other dogs. They typically do not have a lot of aggression toward other dogs unless they have been mistreated in the past. If you are worried about aggression toward other dogs, there are some signs you can look for before adopting a puppy.
• There are many choices in color when selecting a lab for the family. You can find black labs, yellow labs, and chocolate labs all over the place. Some labs now have white coats. If you are open to bringing home a mixed breed lab, you can find them in different color combinations and some have spots.

While the Labrador retriever does make an excellent family dog, you have to keep one thing in mind: a dog adopted from a shelter may have a rough history that has changed its personality. Make sure to do thorough research into the history of the lab and watch the lab for behavioral issues before taking them home. Once home, be prepared to provide training and hug your dog so they know they have found a forever home full of love! Great training tips can be found at Atlanta Chocolate Labrador Retriever puppies.

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