Whether you’re considering getting a therapy dog for your own benefit or to offer much-needed social support, you stand to gain just as much from working with these gentle canines.
Therapy dogs are just the greatest. If we feel great just watching TikToks of them in action, imagine how much better they make patients feel. Of course, not all dog breeds are created equal. So, are yellow labs good therapy dogs?
It’s difficult to find a list online that doesn’t have labradors as one of the top three breeds to work with as a therapy dog, and that’s not for nothing!
In this article, we’ll go through all the reasons labradors are built to work in therapy and some of the challenges they may pose to their owners.
What Makes Labradors Great Therapy Dogs?
There are a handful of reasons why labrador retrievers have dominated the AKC’s Most Popular Breed list since 1991. They’re natural sweethearts who often require little to no training to understand what’s expected of them in a family home.
While black labs are generally more common because of their dominant genes, yellow labs have become a popular and safe choice for most types of assistance dogs.
There’s no scientific research that concludes a measurable difference in the dog’s temperament according to its coat. So, in theory, what’s in this list applies to black and chocolate labs as well.
It is, however, commonly believed that chocolate labs are more quirky and excitable, which makes them better family pets.
1. They’re Working Dogs
One of the biggest reasons why labradors make such amazing therapy dogs is that they were developed as a working breed.
One huge misunderstanding that most people have about working breeds is that this simply means they have more energy than companion dogs.
Working dogs often have noticeably more energy and stamina than your average companion dog. However, this isn’t a general rule.
The one thing that sets working dogs apart is their sense of purpose. Give a working dog a clear task and they will thrive. You’ll see dedication, pride, and perseverance, unlike any other animal.
That’s why labradors make incredible therapy and assistance dogs. They know they have a job to do and get every bit of accomplishment from it as their handler or even their patients’ doctors.
2. They’re Easily Trainable
Labrador retrievers were bred to follow humans’ leads. They’re not as stubborn as a husky or a beagle.
They love knowing that they have an understanding with their handler and will put serious effort into learning whatever you throw their way.
3. They’re Very Patient
If you’ve ever seen a labrador interact with a toddler daily, you know exactly the kind of patience we’re talking about.
Despite being energetic and playful, labradors can do even better than most humans with loud children, long waits, and people with health or mobility issues.
This is, of course, given that they receive an appropriate amount of exercise and fun during their day or week.
4. They’re Super Friendly
One thing labradors are famous for is how friendly and accommodating they are.
Be it a new human, cat, or child, a labrador is likely to be positively curious when meeting someone new.
Again, this is true for the breed overall, but it does require proper socialization and training.
5. Human Attention Is Their Element
Labradors thrive on spending time with humans. They’re one of those breeds that can experience severe distress if they don’t get enough playtime with humans.
In other words, labradors are extroverts for the most part. That means that they will—and almost always do—enjoy visiting and playing with dozens of patients every week.
Downsides of Labradors As a Therapy Dog
No dog breed is perfect despite what some would have you think. Yellow labs are no exception. Having a yellow lab therapy dog can be all-around awesome, but it will come with some challenges.
In the right home or facility, the following characteristics aren’t necessarily dealbreakers. For some people, though, they may be hard to keep up with, which will inevitably hinder these awesome dogs’ ability to perform as therapy dogs.
1. They’re High Energy Dogs
The first thing to be mindful of is how energetic these dogs are. Labradors, as we mentioned earlier, are working dogs. They have a lot of energy and stamina that need to be exerted.
If you’re considering getting a yellow lab as a therapy dog, understand that they will need around 2 hours of activity on a daily basis.
2. They’re Heavy Shedders
Labrador retrievers are sporting dogs. They collected waterfowl, like ducks, after they were shot by hunters, which means that they needed to swim.
Over generations, that meant that labrador retrievers developed a thick, almost waterproof double-coat to protect their skin and keep it light in the water.
That means that they shed an enormous amount of hair and do it twice a year. That’s right, don’t let that short fur fool you! Grooming isn’t optional for this breed. But then again, it shouldn’t be optional for any other breed.
3. They’re Prone to Some Health Issues
As with most large popular breeds, labradors aren’t the healthiest, genetically speaking. They’re prone to joint problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. They may also develop heart issues and, less commonly, eye infections.
Another thing most labradors deal with as they get old is obesity. Most labs lose a log of their energy as they get older, which makes exercise a challenge.
If you’re not financially prepared to face these issues, opting for a healthier breed may be better for you.
Final Thoughts
Every point discussed in this article presumes that all basic needs are met for your dog.
Yellow labs, and labradors in general, are trainable and obedient when they’re treated with love and exercised enough. They’re friendly only when socialized properly from an early age. They’re patient when they have a structured lifestyle from puppyhood.
In fact, the answer to whether yellow labs are good therapy dogs is also conditional on how well they’re raised and trained.
If you’re considering adopting a puppy for the sake of having a therapy dog, we highly recommend that you look at some adults in shelters first. That way, you’ll know what to expect from them as their temperament will shine through.
In any case, make sure to use the help of a professional therapy dog trainer. Even the most experienced dog trainer may not fully understand the nuances of training a specialized therapy dog.