#7 Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is a relative of the Newfoundland and a descendent of the St. John Dog, which is no longer around. It was bred by 16th-century residents of the Canadian island of Newfoundland. The breed was given its name in the 19th century when the English nobility brought back a dog they called the “Labrador dog” from a trip to Canada.

The Labrador retriever’s breed features, such as its water-repellent coat, were further refined once it arrived in England so it would be excellent at recovering ducks during hunts. Its exceptional sense of smell and capacity to make wise judgments based on it earn it a ranking of eighth among dog breeds.

The Labrador Retriever is renowned for its ability to train itself. This dog learns from humans more by mimicking than by being explicitly instructed. Because of all these qualities, this charming autodidact is the most well-liked dog breed in the U.S., a favorite of those with disabilities, and one of the top emotional support dogs.