Rex the playful pooch settles in with his new owners

Over the past few years I've featured numerous breeds of dogs, some big, some small, all with coats of many colours. To say I have a favourite specific breed may seem judgmental and unfair to the hundreds of other breeds out there. I love watching the major dog show competitions on TV and when they are presented to the judge and then do their walk around I get quite excited.

Seeing the Dachshunds makes me particularly giddy. Much like when we are asked if there is only one album (Led Zeppelin IV), one book (The Old Man and the Sea) or one food item (pizza) we can take if we were stranded on an island, I do have a definitive dog choice.

There are countless second choices but for me the Labrador Retriever would be at the top of my list. Some months ago, my friend Mike had to unfortunately say goodbye to his eight-year-old Rottweiler, Riley. He then made the decision that he and his lovely lady Kacie would get a new puppy. They opted for an English Lab, black in colour, whom they named Rex. When he sent me a couple of photos of Rex I knew immediately that I wanted to meet him and feature him in Barking Buddies.

Now most of you know that one of my own personal rules is that I do not feature the same breed twice. This is where it gets a little technical as I have featured a Lab in the past but not an English Lab.

The English Lab is a slightly shorter and stockier version of the Labrador Retriever.

All versions of the Lab are known for the most admirable of traits. So much so they rank five out of five by the American Kennel Club in the following categories: Playfulness, affection level, friendliness towards other pets, friendliness towards strangers and ease of training.

Well, it should not be any surprise that when you own a four-and-a-half-month-old puppy like Rex it's all about soft little love bites, facial licks and a bit of trying to jump up.

Through the SPCA, Rex has recently completed an introductory puppy training program and it shows. He takes a treat nicely and already sits and lays down on command. He won't lack for a playmate either as Mike's best friend has the sister to Rex from the same litter and many, many years ago relatives of Mikes also had a lab from the same breeder.

Besides the typical traits of fetching the ball repeatedly and polite little growls when he's eating his food, Rex has already developed a very funny habit. Kacie tells me that he will literally nudge you with his nose if you are conversing on the phone too long and if you carry on he will actually try to nudge the phone out of your hand. He is one dog you might even say acts like a real "Rex Star."