Labrador Retriever

Few breeds forgive a fumbled first year as readily. Labradors are food-motivated, keen to work with people and rarely sulk after a clumsy correction, so even rough training lands. Be ready for an exuberant adolescence, roughly the first two years, when an hour or more of daily exercise and proper chewing outlets are not optional. Labs shed all year and gain weight easily, so measure meals and pay training rewards out of the daily ration.