The unusual reason a black Labrador retriever loves to stop workers in the street has delighted internet users, leaving his owner joking that no one is “safe this spring.”
Murphy, a water-loving Labrador, has taken TikTok by storm, thanks to his quirky habit of interrupting supers during walks around New York City. The dog’s bemused owner, Meg, shared the now-viral clip on TikTok (@megandmurph), revealing why Murphy is so drawn to certain city workers.
In the video, Murphy can be seen confidently wandering up to a building super who is carrying a hosepipe. While the Labrador is clearly happy to greet the worker, his real focus becomes clear within seconds: the hose itself. Fortunately, the super instantly obliged by turning on the hose and giving Murphy exactly what he desired.
As soon as the water started flowing, Murphy wasted no time enthusiastically lapping it up, clearly in his element. The wholesome interaction left Meg joking in the caption that “no supers are safe this spring,” as the determined Labrador will do whatever it takes to seek out water.
The clip has struck a chord with viewers, racking up more than 1.9 million views and over 145,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
Newsweek has contacted @megandmurph via TikTok for comment. We could not verify the details of the video.
While Murphy’s behavior might seem unusual to some city dwellers, canine experts say it aligns perfectly with what Labradors were originally bred to do. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the canines descend from the St. John’s water dog, a working breed developed in Newfoundland to assist fishermen by hauling nets, retrieving fish, and swimming in cold Atlantic waters. Those early working roles helped shape the breed’s enduring love of water.
The AKC also notes that Labradors possess several physical traits designed specifically for swimming, including slightly webbed feet, a strong otter tail that functions like a rudder, and a dense, water-resistant double coat that helps keep them warm and dry. Together, those features make water not just appealing to Labradors, but almost irresistible.
For many viewers, Murphy’s hosepipe obsession is a reminder that, even in the middle of a bustling city, a Labrador’s instincts are never far from the surface—and, when water is involved, they are always ready to answer the call.
In the days since the clip was shared online, Murphy’s joyful enthusiasm has continued to delight viewers, with more than 330 people flooding the comments section to praise his dedication to staying hydrated.
One comment reads: “He said hold up, that guy’s got the water giver.”
Another TikTok user replied: “He knew automatically what he wants.”
A third person joked: “Water inspector Murphy here, I’m gonna need to see your water, sir.”
One commenter dubbed Murphy a “hydrated king.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? We want to see the best ones! Send them in to [email protected] and they could appear on our site.