As there are so many dog breeds to choose from prospective owners are spoilt for choice, and a canine expert has named the one breed he claims has all the qualities to make the perfect family pet
Countless households across Britain are home to pet dogs, with a large variety of breeds to choose from. A dog’s breed can significantly impact its temperament, how easily it can be trained, its energy requirements and potential health issues.
Dog owners will be well aware that certain breeds demand more physical activity than others, making them ideal companions for energetic families. Personality traits also differ between breeds, with some being naturally sociable and outgoing whilst others tend to be more reserved. Future dog owners face a number of considerations when contemplating welcoming a four-legged friend into their household, and one specialist has revealed his ultimate breed recommendation.
Will Atherton is a clinical canine behaviourist and the founder of WA Academy and Will Atherton Canine Centre and he has gained a substantial following across Instagram, TikTok and Youtube where he shares his dog knowledge and guidance.
In a recent TikTok video, Atherton shared why he thinks labradors are the top dog breed.
He said: “Labradors are the best dog breed on the planet, and it’s not really a discussion that I’m open to having a debate on because in my opinion, it’s simply facts.”
The canine expert then explained the reasoning behind his strong opinion. He said that labradors were “bred to be amazing with people, hyper intelligent, amazing with other dogs” and taught to be “calm, relaxed and stable and to not have any form of aggression in them whatsoever.”
Atherton has sung the praises of labradors, claiming they “have a huge desire to please their owners” and an “incredible food and toy drive” which he says makes them a breeze to train.
He enthused: “They really are the complete package to build the perfect family pet.”
In his TikTok video’s caption, the dog behaviour expert, who deals with rescue dogs and those at risk of euthanasia daily, stated that he “hand on heart” believes if everyone picked a labrador as their first dog, there would be “50%+ less dogs in shelters.”
Atherton has noticed that many canine problems arise from people picking breeds they’re “woefully underprepared for.”
He elaborated: “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.”
The PDSA, the UK’s top veterinary charity, echoes Atherton’s statements, describing labradors on its website as “devoted, affectionate, loving dogs that will happily get along with everyone.”
The site also notes that labradors are “obedient, quick to learn and eager to please, so training should be fairly easy.”
Atherton’s TikTok clip has amassed 442,100 views, 29,100 likes and nearly 900 comments so far.
One user gushed: “Black girl labs will forever be my all time favourite, I couldn’t live without mine.”
Another added: “I completely agree with the idea that Labradors are a great choice for first-time dog owners.
“Their temperament and ease of training make them ideal for building leadership and confidence as a pet owner. Starting with a Labrador can definitely help prevent many of the issues that arise with less suited breeds.
“It’s refreshing to see someone so dedicated to both rescue dogs and helping owners understand the importance of choosing the right breed for their lifestyle. Keep up the amazing work!”