Editing Labrador Retriever (section)

== Use ==
[[File:George Digweed's labrador.jpg|thumb|Retrieving shot [[Game (hunting)|game]], a [[common wood pigeon]]]]
Labrador Retrievers have proven to have a high success rate at becoming guide dogs. A study published in 2006, tested the suitability of four different breeds (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever Mix, and German Shepherds) as guide dogs. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. Labrador Retrievers and the Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever Crossbreeds had the highest success rate. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers.<ref>{{cite book|last=Serpell|first=James|title=The Domestic Dog: its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions With People|url=https://archive.org/details/domesticdogitsev00serp|url-access=registration|year=1995|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-41529-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/j.jveb.2006.06.004 |title=Suitability for field service in 4 breeds of guide dogs |year=2006 |last1=Ennik |first1=Irma |last2=Liinamo |first2=Anna-Elisa |last3=Leighton |first3=Eldin |last4=Van Arendonk |first4=Johan |journal=Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=67–74}}</ref>

The Labrador Retriever is a gun dog bred to retrieve on land and water.<ref name="magazine">{{Cite web|date=2 November 2019|title=Why the Labrador Is the World's Most Popular Bird Dog|url=https://www.gundogmag.com/editorial/why-the-labrador-is-the-worlds-most-popular-bird-dog/175457|access-date=27 July 2023|website=GunDogMag|language=en}}</ref> As a dog specially bred for water retrieving, the Labrador has developed various traits for this job. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a [[bite inhibition|soft mouth]], a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it.<ref name="Journal">{{Cite web|title=Your guide to the Labrador Retriever|url=https://gundog-journal.com/article/your-guide-to-the-labrador-retriever|access-date=27 July 2023|website=gundog journal|date=26 February 2019 |language=en}}</ref>  And for swimming, the Labrador is aided by fully webbed paws, an otter-like tail, and a waterproof coat.<ref name="Eight">{{Cite web|date=20 September 2019|title=8 Things To Know About Labrador Retrievers|url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/8-facts-about-labrador-retrievers/|access-date=27 July 2023|website=AKC|language=en}}</ref>

The high intelligence, initiative and self-direction of Labradors in working roles is exemplified by dogs such as [[Endal]], who was trained to, if need be, put his human who uses a wheelchair in the recovery position, cover him with a blanket, and activate an emergency phone.<ref>{{cite news
  | last =Blystone
  | first =Richard
  | author2=Mallary Gelb
  | title =Assistance dogs are trained as partners for the disabled
  | publisher =CNN.com
  | url =http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/08/10/super.dog/index.html
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517024250/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/08/10/super.dog/index.html
  | archive-date=17 May 2013
| date=10 August 2000}}</ref> A number of Labradors have also been taught to assist their owner in removing money and credit cards from [[automated teller machine|ATMs]] with prior training.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = thought this was Bark-lays bank
  | date =28 February 2007
| publisher =Metro
  | url =http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/article.html?in_article_id=39317&in_page_id=2
  | access-date = 28 February 2007 }}</ref>

The breed is used in water rescue/[[lifesaving]]. It continues in that role today, along with the [[Leonberger]], [[Newfoundland (dog)|Newfoundland]] and [[Golden Retriever]] dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Manetti|first1=Francesco|title=Italian school teaches dogs to become lifeguards|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/08/italian-school-teaches-dogs-to-become-lifeguards.html|access-date=14 February 2017|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|agency=Associated Press|date=23 August 2010}}</ref>

=== In war ===

Labradors have been used as [[war dog]]s.

*World War II: Labradors were trained for tasks such as bomb detection and handling dangerous situations.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grylls |first=George |date=2024-11-08 |title=How the canine Sandhurst prepares dogs for army life |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/how-the-canine-sandhurst-prepares-dogs-for-army-life-zm2sbm38n |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}}</ref> 
* Vietnam War: Labradors served as tracker dogs, alerting handlers to snipers, tripwires, and weapons caches. Their training enabled them to locate injured enemies, missing personnel, or enemy positions.{{r|burnam|p=278}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Giles |first=Rosemary |date=2023-07-21 |title=5,000 War Dogs Served In Vietnam - The US Government Left the Majority of Them Behind |url=https://www.warhistoryonline.com/vietnam-war/war-dogs-vietnam.html |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=warhistoryonline |language=en}}</ref>
* Modern military use: Labradors continue to serve in roles such as bomb detection and search and rescue operations. Their calm demeanor and adaptability make them suitable for various military tasks.