With a playful temperament Labradors love to use their webbed paws to go for a swim Originally from Newfoundland -- not Labrador -- where they retrieved fishnets & lines for fishermen Labradors are perfectly bred for swimming in cold water Their outer coat is short straight & very dense but they also have a soft weather-resistant undercoat that provides protection from icy water & their webbed feet help them swim quickly They can have black yellow & chocolate-coloured coats They re friendly outgoing & easily trainable which is why they re such popular pets & why so many work as seeing-eye & rescue dogs although they can get bored if they don t have anything to do Labradors love children & other pets & make a valuable asset to any family They ll even alert their owners if a stranger is around Fun Facts The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the world