Vaccine

The fatal canine retrovirus spreading quickly through the global domestic dog population in conjunction with the limited doses of vaccines available necessitate choosing one mother and litter of a particular breed to receive the vaccine, and the best candidate for this is the labrador retriever. The labrador retriever is among the most common breeds used as both pets as well as work/service animals, and it is one of the healthiest of the larger dog breeds, therefore administering the vaccine to this breed would be the most effective use of it in the time constraints we are presented with. The lab is among the most popular dog breeds not only for families seeking beloved pets, but for people seeking work animals or those with disabilities seeking assistance animals. Certain temperaments and physical traits are preferred for service animals, and labs exhibit the necessary intelligence, energy, and gentle-natured that makes them one of the most common breeds for this kind of work. By giving the vaccine to labs, we would be preserving a breed who performs a vital function for those with illness or impairments. Similarly, they were originally bred for sport, and still display the moderate to high energy level and hardy physique for all kinds of physical labor, whether it be hunting, fishing, or other activities. This allows people to train and use them as work animals, which provides economic benefits. Even when only considering them as pets, by administering the vaccine to labs and preserving a breed that is known to have relatively few health issues and long-lifespan compared to other pure breeds, future dog owners can keep their beloved pets around for a long time and can likely anticipate comparatively fewer vet bills than they would with alternative breeds.