Our kids don’t like it when we compare them to puppies, but puppies and dogs can really be a lot like people. In one single family from the same two parents, you can find children of any unique combination of personality types. No personality type is either good or bad; they’re just different. Just as every child is unique, every dog is unique. In one single litter there can be eight to ten different and distinct personalities.

Here are a few key things to remember about canine personalities:

First of all, a dog’s temperament is not determined by gender. There are, however, distinct differences in male and female dogs that dictate a few specific behaviors. (You can read more about that in another blog.) http://mmkennels.com/blog/differences-between-male-female-dogs/57 

Second, color of a Lab’s coat does not determine a dog’s temperament. (You can read more about this on our FAQ page.) http://mmkennels.com/about/faq/ 

Third, the breed of a dog plays the biggest role in determining a dog’s temperament. Labrador Retrievers are known for specific personality characteristics:

1. They’re known for being great companion dogs. They like to be with their people and will go everywhere with you, if you let them. 
2. They’re steady, dependable and predictable (kinda like my husband Pete). 
3. They are eager to please, which makes them easy to train. 
4. They’re cheerful, enthusiastic, adventurous and curious. 
5. They’re athletic and enjoy physical exercise.
6. They make great family dogs. They get along well with just about any other human or animal. If trained as puppies, they can live alongside other pets, such as cats. Labs usually put up with just about anything. Adults can use them as pillows. A toddler can pull a Lab’s ears and tails, drool on them, pat them, and crawl over them and the dog will usually take it all in stride. (Of course, stepping on a tail or foot or eating out of her food dish could be dangerous, however. A Lab would not intentionally harm to anyone, but she could accidentally nip and hurt someone.)

Even in repeat breedings, where we know the parents of a litter very well, we still see personality differences in the puppies. The pups may all be similar in general ways, but have specific and exclusive quirks, habits, eccentricities, likes and dislikes. Some dogs even adopt personality traits of their owners (perhaps another fun topic for another blog)!

So, I hope this blog answers your question of what to temperament to expect in your dog. Perhaps Forrest Gump sums it up best when he quoted his mom, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

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