“Labradors Are Easy Dogs”
Is it really true, or is it a matter of the right match between dog and human?
What, exactly, is an “easy dog”?
Many people believe that Labradors are easy dogs, but is that really the case, or is it a matter of the right match? I think it’s ideal to start with the question: what is an easy dog? Honestly, I believe we’d find eight billion different answers, ranging from “because they’re cute” to “because they’re easy-going.” What we can all agree on is that we’ll disagree on one or more aspects of what an “easy dog” actually is. Understanding working dog genetics and behavioral predispositions matters more than labeling a breed as “easy.”
Why do people think Labradors are easy dogs?
When we look at this through the relationship between dogs and humans, an easy dog could mean very different things to different people:
The one who stays close
Doesn’t wander off too far, and is happy to eat whatever is provided.
The one who stays quiet
Lies on the couch all day, doesn’t bark at things, and you barely hear a peep.
The one who communicates
Barks to express needs and motivations: at the door to go out, or at a ball to say “let’s play.”
So, who’s wrong here?
Nobody. I can say that confidently.
And how does this relate to Labradors? Well, it does and it doesn’t. I do agree that Labradors are “easy dogs,” just as much as any other breed can be “easy”… to the right owner.
Maybe it’s not the dog. Maybe it’s the match.
Now, this is where things get hairy, and you’re more than welcome to close this page and go on with your life. But if you’re still here, thank you for paying attention.
By “the right owner,” I’m not suggesting there are wrong people. Rather, each dog has their own personality and genetic load that may be a better fit for a specific type of person. If I choose a perky dog who loves to run while I’m a sedentary person, are we a bad fit? Well, it depends. Are you willing to take up running? Because if you are, that dog might be the best thing that’s ever happened to you. But if you expect the dog to chill on the sofa all day and do nothing, while aching inside to move and engage with their environment, then you may not be the right fit for that dog.
Maybe the question isn’t whether Labradors are easy, but whether we are ready for the dog in front of us.
When choosing a breed, we often focus on looks rather than temperament and breed characteristics, much the way many people approach dating. Personally, that never worked for me. I never accounted for all the variables beyond how fluffy my dog was or how good they looked in Instagram pictures.
Again, Maria, why is this related to “Labradors being easy”? Because I don’t think Labradors are the easy ones while Cocker Spaniels are the complicated ones. Rather, we may simply be underqualified for the dog at hand, whether that dog is a Labrador or not.
Even the most easy-going breed requires consistent mental enrichment.
Understand the dog, not just the breed label
When considering whether a Labrador, or any breed, is an easy dog for your lifestyle, working with a professional to understand your dog’s specific personality, rather than just their breed, is the best way to build a successful long-term relationship.
Work with me