Editing Labrador Retriever (section)

== Demography ==
{{Main|List of most popular dog breeds}}
{{Update section|date=March 2024}}
The Labrador is an exceptionally popular dog. As of 2006, it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world,{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} and it is the most popular dog by ownership in [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]]<ref>{{cite web |title=New Zealand: Leading dog breeds |year=2019 |website=Statista.com |publisher=Statistica Research |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/991534/new-zealand-leading-dog-breeds/ |url-access=registration |access-date=5 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> and the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>{{cite web |title=UK: Top&nbsp;20 dog breeds by registered number 2021 |year=2022 |website=Statista.com |publisher=Statistica Research |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/915202/top-dog-breeds-by-registered-number-united-kingdom-uk/ |url-access=registration |access-date=5 May 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2006 both the United Kingdom and the United States, there are well over twice as many registered Labradors as the next most popular breed.<ref name=uk_kc_stats>{{cite web |title=Registration statistics for all recognised dog breeds, 2005 and 2006 |year=2006 |website=thekennelclub.org.uk |publisher=[[UK Kennel Club]] |url=http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=926&d=pg_dtl_art_news&h=238&f=0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904034036/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=926&d=pg_dtl_art_news&h=238&f=0 |archive-date=4 September 2009 |access-date=13 September 2007}}</ref><ref name=akc_stats>{{cite web |title=AKC Dog Registration Statistics |year=2006 |website=AKC.org |publisher=[[American Kennel Club]] |url=http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats_2006.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070909132539/http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats_2006.cfm |archive-date=9 September 2007 |access-date=13 September 2007 }}</ref> If the comparison is limited to dog breeds of a similar size, then there are around 3–5&nbsp;times as many Labradors registered in both countries as the next most popular breeds, the [[German shepherd dog]] and [[Golden retriever]].<ref name=uk_kc_stats/><ref name=akc_stats/>

They are the most popular breed of [[assistance dog]] in the United States, Australia, and many other countries,<ref name=Alecia>{{cite book |first1=Alecia T. |last1= Devantier |first2=Carol |last2=Turkington |year=2007 |title=Extraordinary Jobs with Animals |publisher=Ferguson |isbn=978-1-4381-1170-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/extraordinaryjob0000deva_m5m9/page/20 20] |url=https://archive.org/details/extraordinaryjob0000deva_m5m9 |url-access=registration |quote=Labrador retriever: Most popular breed of assistance dog.}}</ref> as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities. Approximately 60–70% of all guide dogs in the United States are Labradors.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

In 2022 Labrador Retrievers were the second most popular breed in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Most Popular Dog Breeds 2022 |url=https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-2022/ |website=American Kennel Club |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref> In 2020 the Labrador was the most popular registered dog breed in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirkness |first1=Luke |title=Figures reveal the dog capital of New Zealand and most popular breeds |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/figures-reveal-the-dog-capital-of-new-zealand-and-most-popular-breeds/DSNWYE3OAF3GNTTHELADQI5D44/ |website=New Zealand Herald |date=4 January 2021 |publisher=The Herald |access-date=12 March 2024}}</ref>

Seven out of the thirteen ''"outstanding [[gundog]]s"'' of the [[Australian National Kennel Council]]'s 2000–2005 appointees to its 'hall of fame' are Labradors.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = ANKC hall of fame
  | year = 2000–2005
  | website = ankc.aust.com
  | publisher = [[Australian National Kennel Council]]
  | url = http://www.ankc.aust.com/hall_of_fame.html
  | access-date = 13 September 2007
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070919113122/http://www.ankc.aust.com/hall_of_fame.html
  | archive-date = 19 September 2007
}}
</ref>