Your Official Guide to Picking the Best Dog Breed for You

Labrador Retrievers are great for families

Labs are hands down the most popular breed in the U.S. and have been for many years. In many respects they are the quintessential family dog; loyal, good with kids, friendly but big enough to make a burglar think twice, and long-lived. They do need room to play so a yard or frequent trips to the dog park are ideal. They also love water! They do shed seasonally, so regular brushing is necessary. As they age, labs are prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis, and frequently suffer knee ligament injuries in middle age. For a large breed dog, labs have a fairly long life-span, some living upwards of 12 to 13 years, so geriatric issues, urinary incontinence, cognitive dysfunction (dementia), hearing loss, and heart problems are not uncommon. Still put off by their size? Here are more reasons you should consider a large dog.