For certain, there are a lot of families out there who want to acquire a pet of their own. They would want to have something in the household to keep them entertained as well as a loyal object of affection which they would consider as unofficial members of the family. Dogs are quite a common choice for many people, and there are a lot of breeds to choose from. One of the most popular breeds acquired by households everywhere is the Labrador retriever. They are truly amazing dogs which can become special parts of people's lives all over the world. If you wish to know more about this breed, below are a few fun facts which may convince you to get one for yourself.

- The origins of Labradors trace back to the 1700s. Back in those days in Newfoundland, Canada, there were two breeds of dogs that were introduced, namely the Greater and the Lesser Newfoundland. Both breeds were also known as the Greater & Lesser St. John's dogs. They originally served the purpose of being working animals, often used for hard labor such as hauling carts which were loaded with fish. Because of these, they became favorite companions for the local fishing folk, and were considered as highly popular with the kids as well, making them the source of playtime for youngsters.

- Labradors rank as some of the top dog breeds as listed in the American Kennel Club. They are known to be great additions to any household, and are recognized as excellent service dogs. They can be trained to serve as guides for blind people or even help in aiding those who are bound to wheel chairs.

- Labradors are also used by the police quite often. They are rather intelligent and possess a keen sense of smell which makes them easy picks for detecting illegal contraband such as drugs or bombs. They are also used during investigations, such as looking for missing persons & recovering dead bodies.

- A Labrador is also recognized as a rather excellent swimmer. The dogs under this breed are said to be born with tails which resemble those of an otter's, allowing them to steer themselves in whichever direction they wish while swimming. Aside from that, this breed's webbed toes serve as protection for their paws when winter time comes, allowing them to avoid snow that often accumulates in between dogs' toes.