It’s an argument as old as time, keeping arm chair philosophers up long into the night. But finally an expert has weighed in and revealed what is the best dog breed for everyone.
As a clinical canine behaviourist, Will Atherton has dedicated his life to keeping dogs out of shelters and believes “hand on heart” there would be 50 per cent less abandoned dogs if first time owners bought this one breed.
In a post he shared to social media, Will, who goes by the account name iamwillatherton, revealed that Labradors are the best dogs on the planet and it’s not really a debate he’s open to because, “in my opinion, it’s just facts”.
On his TikTok page, Will explains in a video how breeding makes Labradors the best pet for everyone, especially for first-time dog and pet owners.
“Labradors were bred to be amazing with people, hyper-intelligent, amazing with other dogs, calm, relaxed and stable and not have any form of aggression in them whatsoever. Paired with a huge desire to please their owners and an incredible food and toy drive, which makes them super easy to train,” he said.
He finished by saying this is what made them the perfect family pet.
@iamwillatherton If you’re curious why I bang on about Labradors so much, let me explain. As someone who works daily with rescue dogs and dogs at risk of euthanasia and has dedicated his life to my mission of keeping dogs out of shelters and off the euthanasia table, I hand on heart believe if everyone got a Labrador for their first breed there would be 50%+ less dogs in shelters as I see every day the reason for so many issues people have with their dogs is choosing a breed they’re woefully under prepared for. All dogs need leadership and solid training, but Labradors make leading them and training them easy, and when things go wrong it’s very rarely seriously wrong, and are usually the easiest breeds to rectify issues with. So more labs would mean less dogs in shelters. And when you’ve proven you’re capable of being a high level canine leader then explore the idea of other breeds. But, to be fair, I’m just a weird guy on the internet waffling about my opinions, so do what you think’s best and I’ll get back to work helping more dogs. #labrador #labradorretriever #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #dogs #dogbreeds ♬ original sound – Will Atherton (MSc)
The post received a slew of responses, mainly from Labrador owners themselves who were quick to share their anecdotes of living with the beloved breed.
“Lab-girl owner here, she is simply the best. My first dog and I love her to death,” one commented.
“I have had both the working labrador and the show labrador and they are both great dogs. But I still wish people would remember that when you buy the working labrador you Are buying more energy,” one added.
“I totally agree. I have the best yellow lab girl I could ever wish for,” another commented.
“Mine is not calm or stable 😂 but the rest is true.”
While Will’s post was insightful, a Labrador may not be the best dog for everyone but as many pet owners known dogs can be the perfect companions for retirees, offering both emotional support and a source of joy.
In order to help you find the best dog breed to suit your new retirement lifestyle, Starts at 60 has embarked on a journey to discover the best dog breeds for retirees, exploring what essential factors you need to consider, and the benefits that can come with dog ownership later in life.
Size: You may prefer dogs that are small or medium-sized to accommodate your living arrangements. Smaller breeds are often easier to handle and require less physical exertion.
Energy Level: While some may be active and enjoy regular exercise, others may prefer dogs with lower energy levels. A breed with moderate exercise requirements may be more suitable, avoiding the need for intense daily workouts.
Temperament: You should look for breeds known for their calm, friendly, and easygoing temperaments. Dogs with a gentle disposition are more likely to adapt well to a retiree’s lifestyle and be comfortable in various social settings.
Trainability: Breeds that are intelligent and responsive to training can make your life easier. Dogs that are easy to train can quickly adapt to household routines, making them more manageable companions.
In addition to these important factors, Australia’s leading dog groomer and pet educator, Emily Myatt suggests that “costs should be at the top of the consideration list” also.
With plenty of expertise in this arena, Myatt is well placed to offer her advice on what dogs are perfect to accompany you in your golden years and although she suggests against an “oodle breed as they require too much maintenance and costs involved in owning one are high” there are a number of breeds which fit perfectly into the retirement lifestyle.
The best breeds that Myatt suggests include:
“These breeds are small but not ‘yappy’ and have easy grooming maintenance – even a retiree with mild arthritis will be able to manage the grooming care required,” Myatt explains.
“These breeds also have low exercise requirements meaning a slow walk around the block is suitable for their needs. These breeds have all been bred as ‘companions’ so that’s their behaviour traits generally so they love company.”
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