Quill the guide dog is a Labrador, gentle and smart, well suited to guide dog work

Quill the guide dog is the protagonist of the Japanese film "Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog." It is a Labrador Retriever, commonly known simply as a Labrador. The film is adapted from a true story and follows this dog through its complete journey from birth and training to officially starting work, giving many viewers their first look at the work and life of a guide dog.

The Labrador Retriever originated in the Newfoundland region of Canada and was later developed into a formal breed in the United Kingdom. It is a medium-to-large dog with a short, dense coat, commonly seen in yellow, black and chocolate, with a sturdy build and powerful limbs. It is naturally good at swimming, and its thick otter tail is a distinctive mark.

The reason Labradors are so widely chosen as guide dogs is that they are gentle in temperament, not aggressive toward people, highly intelligent, obedient, quick to learn commands, stable in character and not easily startled, and also friendly toward strangers. Among guide dog teams around the world, Labradors, Golden Retrievers and crosses of the two are the most common. Of course, the selection of guide dogs is very strict; even with suitable bloodlines, a dog must pass temperament assessments and long-term training evaluations before it can officially start work.

Families wanting to keep a Labrador should note that they are lively and energetic as puppies and need plenty of exercise and companionship every day, and their character becomes much calmer once they reach adulthood. This dog eats a lot and sheds noticeably, so its diet should be reasonably controlled and its coat brushed regularly in daily care. In the film, Quill returns to its foster family to live out its remaining years after finishing its guide dog work. To learn the full story, you can watch the film or read the related original book.