Criminals can get hundreds and sometimes thousands of pounds, for animals including spaniels, Labradors and retrievers.

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But one of their pet Labradors, which protected them from being savaged, later died from his injuries.

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Labradors also go home empty for the same reason they are such reliable companions: their good temperament.

WSJ: Everybody Loves Labradors, So Why Are They Underdogs?

Dogs bred for field work tend to be longer and leaner than Labradors bred to prance around conformation shows.

WSJ: Everybody Loves Labradors, So Why Are They Underdogs?

Unlike their peers, Labradors lack the extravagance of a long coat or the grace of a fast gait, making it trickier to catch a judge's eye.

WSJ: Everybody Loves Labradors, So Why Are They Underdogs?

Labradors like to share the spotlight with their handlers.

WSJ: Everybody Loves Labradors, So Why Are They Underdogs?

Labradors, golden retrievers, and retriever cross breeds were the types of dog most likely to be attacked, with most of the incidents taking place in public places and in daylight hours between 0900 and 1500 hours.

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