Only recently nosed out of first place by French Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers are still among the most versatile and beloved dog breeds. Labs were the top dog in the US for 31 astounding years, until 2022 when they were edged out by those rascal French Bulldogs. However, there is a good reason why Labs have been popular for so long. Labs are notorious for their generally happy dispositions and ability to fit in with the family.
The Golden Retriever was originally almost exclusively a hunting dog, used for bringing back game not only from the water, but from land. Golden Retrievers were developed, through careful breeding, in Scotland. Scotland is known for it’s rugged terrain, with its mix of water features, meadows, and woods. It was this mixed landscape that sparked the ‘birth’ of the Golden Retriever. As with most dogs used for hunting, the Golden Retriever is friendly, considerate, and affectionate.
Most people tend to look upon Poodles as being aristocratic show dogs. They appear in the ring with carefully sculpted and decorative coats, and few imagine they are excellent hunting dogs. What? This prim and proper Poodle a hunting dog? But, yes, this is a hunting dog used for retrieving waterfowl from lakes, ponds, and marshes.