Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Labrador Retrievers Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Easy to Train?
- Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Labrador Retrievers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Labrador Retrievers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Labrador Retrievers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Labrador Retrievers
- Conclusion on Labrador Retriever Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Labrador Retriever
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Labrador Retriever out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Labrador Retriever based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Labrador Retriever breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Labrador Retriever by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Labrador Retriever.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Labrador Retriever for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Labrador Retriever.
The summary table below shows the score of the Labrador Retriever for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Energy Level | 57.1 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 47.2 percent |
| Excitability | 45.0 percent |
| Prey Drive | 30.5 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 27.9 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 27.6 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 26.0 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 22.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 22.8 percent |
| Stubbornness | 21.2 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 19.7 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 15.0 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 12.8 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 10.7 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Labrador Retriever`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Labrador Retriever, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Labrador Retriever.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for aggression towards strangers.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 95 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 22.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 92 | Tibetan Terrier | 23.5 % |
| 93 | Pointer | 23.5 % |
| 94 | Norwegian Elkhound | 23.2 % |
| 95 | Labrador Retriever | 22.8 % |
| 96 | Brittany | 22.5 % |
| 97 | Scottish Terrier | 21.2 % |
| 98 | Border Terrier | 20.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for aggression towards its owner.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 83 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an owner-directed-aggression score of 10.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | Golden Retriever | 11.2 % |
| 81 | Australian Kelpie | 11.0 % |
| 82 | Keeshond | 10.9 % |
| 83 | Labrador Retriever | 10.7 % |
| 84 | German Shepherd | 10.4 % |
| 85 | Giant Schnauzer | 10.3 % |
| 86 | Weimaraner | 10.2 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are not aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 100 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-directed aggression score of 27.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Havanese | 28.5 % |
| 98 | Bichon Frise | 28.1 % |
| 99 | Dingo | 27.7 % |
| 100 | Labrador Retriever | 27.6 % |
| 101 | Norwegian Elkhound | 27.2 % |
| 102 | Newfoundland | 27.0 % |
| 103 | Golden Retriever | 26.7 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Labrador Retrievers are not fearful of strangers.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for fear of strangers.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 100 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a stranger-directed-fear score of 12.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 97 | Bull Terrier | 14.0 % |
| 98 | Samoyed | 13.6 % |
| 99 | Collie | 13.0 % |
| 100 | Labrador Retriever | 12.8 % |
| 101 | Irish Setter | 11.7 % |
| 102 | Pointer | 11.5 % |
| 103 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 11.3 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 79 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-directed-fear score of 27.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 76 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 30.4 % |
| 77 | Brittany | 29.9 % |
| 78 | Golden Retriever | 29.4 % |
| 79 | Labrador Retriever | 27.9 % |
| 80 | Doberman Pinscher | 27.7 % |
| 81 | Boxer | 27.5 % |
| 82 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 27.5 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Labrador Retrievers Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for non-social fear.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 92 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a nonsocial-fear score of 19.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | Scottish Terrier | 19.9 % |
| 90 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 19.8 % |
| 91 | Belgian Malinois | 19.7 % |
| 92 | Labrador Retriever | 19.7 % |
| 93 | Vizsla | 19.4 % |
| 94 | Irish Wolfhound | 18.7 % |
| 95 | Weimaraner | 18.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Labrador Retrievers are not competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low on dog rivalry.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-rivalry score of 15.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not competition-driven just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Golden Retriever | 18.6 % |
| 115 | Kuvasz | 16.5 % |
| 116 | Brittany | 15.3 % |
| 117 | Labrador Retriever | 15.0 % |
| 118 | Border Terrier | 13.8 % |
| 119 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 12.4 % |
| 120 | Scottish Terrier | 8.2 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Labrador Retrievers Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Labrador Retrievers are quite a bit easy to train.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks high for trainability.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 33 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the trainability of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a trainability score of 78.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are quite a bit easy to train just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | Eurasier | 79.2 % |
| 31 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 78.9 % |
| 32 | Papillon | 78.8 % |
| 33 | Labrador Retriever | 78.8 % |
| 34 | Weimaraner | 78.8 % |
| 35 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 78.1 % |
| 36 | Chinook | 76.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Labrador Retriever is and how the intelligence of the Labrador Retriever affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Labrador Retriever is.
Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Labrador Retrievers are not into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for small-pet-chasing.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a chasing score of 30.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are not into chasing after smaller pets just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Pekingese | 30.9 % |
| 97 | Golden Retriever | 30.7 % |
| 98 | Belgian Sheepdog | 30.6 % |
| 99 | Labrador Retriever | 30.5 % |
| 100 | Bichon Frise | 30.4 % |
| 101 | Papillon | 29.9 % |
| 102 | Italian Greyhound | 29.9 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Labrador Retrievers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 77 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 47.2 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 74 | Pointer | 48.1 % |
| 75 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 47.9 % |
| 76 | Redbone Coonhound | 47.8 % |
| 77 | Labrador Retriever | 47.2 % |
| 78 | Shetland Sheepdog | 46.9 % |
| 79 | Bulldog | 45.5 % |
| 80 | Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) | 45.4 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Labrador Retrievers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 93 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a separation anxiety score of 26.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 26.2 % |
| 91 | Akita | 26.1 % |
| 92 | Saint Bernard | 26.1 % |
| 93 | Labrador Retriever | 26.0 % |
| 94 | Chesapeake Bay Retriever | 26.0 % |
| 95 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 25.9 % |
| 96 | Border Collie | 25.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Labrador Retrievers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Labrador Retrievers are a little bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for touch sensitivity.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 84 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a touch-sensitivity score of 22.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit touch-sensitive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 81 | Irish Setter | 23.8 % |
| 82 | Belgian Malinois | 23.5 % |
| 83 | Ibizan Hound | 23.1 % |
| 84 | Labrador Retriever | 22.9 % |
| 85 | Lagotto Romagnolo | 22.9 % |
| 86 | Scottish Terrier | 22.5 % |
| 87 | Havanese | 22.3 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Labrador Retrievers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Labrador Retrievers are somewhat hyper (excitable).
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks average for excitability.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an excitability score of 45.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat excitable just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | Chinese Crested | 45.6 % |
| 60 | Havanese | 45.2 % |
| 61 | Cocker Spaniel (English) | 45.2 % |
| 62 | Labrador Retriever | 45.0 % |
| 63 | Belgian Sheepdog | 45.0 % |
| 64 | Irish Water Spaniel | 44.4 % |
| 65 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 44.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Labrador Retrievers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Labrador Retrievers
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Labrador Retrievers are somewhat energetic.
This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks average for energy level.
The Labrador Retriever ranks number 63 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an energy-level score of 57.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 60 | Poodle (Standard) | 57.9 % |
| 61 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 57.5 % |
| 62 | Shetland Sheepdog | 57.3 % |
| 63 | Labrador Retriever | 57.1 % |
| 64 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 56.8 % |
| 65 | Irish Setter | 56.6 % |
| 66 | Siberian Husky | 55.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Labrador Retriever Temperament
The temperament of your Labrador Retriever comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Labrador Retriever is exposed to.
You cannot change your Labrador Retriever`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Labrador Retriever to.
Exposing your Labrador Retriever to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Labrador Retriever to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Labrador Retriever`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Labrador Retriever.
If you think the Labrador Retriever is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Labrador Retrievers cost and Labrador Retriever puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Labrador Retriever breeders in the United States and the prices of their Labrador Retriever puppies.