Everything You Should Know About Labrador Retrievers


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yellow Labrador lies on a blanket looking at the camera
Andrii Borodai via iStock

The Labrador Retriever is undoubtedly one of the most beloved and iconic breeds in the United States.

In fact, they topped the American Kennel Club’s rankings for the most popular dog breeds from 1991 to 2022!

Often called Labradors or simply Labs, this breed is the very definition of “canine companion” with their easygoing, loyal, and playful natures.

Labrador Retrievers originated in England during the 1800s as descendants of St. John’s water dogs. These dogs originally worked alongside people to help retrieve fish and swimming lines. Early Labs followed in their pawprints by working as gun dogs who helped hunters retrieve birds from the water.

Today’s Labs still bond closely with their people, enjoy having a job to do, and are very trainable. They also love water!

Read on to learn more about all things Labrador Retriever, from grooming and health needs to how you can get one of your own.

Breed Characteristics

Key

  • Low
  • Medium
  • High
  • Origin: England
  • Size:
  • Weight: 55-80 pounds
  • Activity level:
  • Barking/howling level:
  • Good with dogs: yes
  • Good with kids: yes
  • Good with cats:
  • Shedding:
  • Shedding: Seasonal
  • Hair type: Short
  • Grooming level:
  • Training level:

What Types of Labrador Retrievers Are There?

The Labrador Retriever is a medium to large dog with a short, dense double coat. You can recognize them by their triangular ears, gentle eyes, muscular build, and “otter” tail.

Labrador Retrievers can have three different coat colors:

  • Black or chocolate: The gene Tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1) can result in a black or chocolate coat. One version, or allele, is for a black coat, and this is the dominant gene. If at least one parent has this gene, the puppy will have a black coat. Three other versions of this gene result in a chocolate coat.
  • Yellow: The gene melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) results in a yellow coat. There are multiple versions of this gene. The most common version prevents a black or chocolate coat. Both parents must have a yellow allele to produce a yellow-coated puppy.

Research suggests a Lab’s coat color has no impact on their personality—rather, their genetics do.

According to Sharlene Pitman of Brookhaven Labs, American Kennel Club (AKC) bronze breeder of merit, there are two types of Labradors:

  • The Conformation (Bench) Labrador: Often referred to as the English Labrador, this type more closely meets the breed standard and tends to be a bit smaller with a quieter temperament. Their dense double coat has a softer undercoat to regulate their temperature and a harsh outer coat to repel water.
  • The Field Line Labrador: Commonly referred to as the American Labrador, this type of Lab tends to be a bit smaller with less undercoat. They tend to have a more active temperament, which helps them excel in the field.

Pitman says both styles make wonderful companions (and retrievers!). She encourages prospective pet parents to do their homework to decide which style would fit best in their family.

How Are Labrador Retrievers as Pets?

Labrador Retrievers make amazing companion dogs who are highly adaptable, active, and intelligent. This breed requires daily physical activity and mental stimulation in order to thrive.

These dogs enjoy any opportunity to put their minds and bodies to work!

Behavior and personality

“By nature, the Labrador doesn’t recognize strangers,” Pitman says. “Everybody is a friend, everybody is family.” With their friendly nature, it may come as no surprise that Labs do great with other dogs, too.

Pitman says proper socialization during a puppy’s formative weeks (4–16 weeks old) can set the stage for life. These fun-loving dogs are extremely jovial, and they need plenty of training so they learn how to behave well indoors!

Sociability and energy levels

Wondering about everyday life with a Lab?

Pitman says that on a scale of 0 to 10, she considers them to be an 11 in terms of playfulness, 12 for flexibility, and maybe a 2 for protectiveness. “The key is they don’t want to be left out. They want to be included in everything,” she says.

They may not make good guard dogs, but their friendliness, intelligence, and playfulness mean they make great house dogs. They’ll be just as eager to spend time training and learning new tricks as they will lounging on the couch and enjoying your company—preferably, on your lap!

Trainability and exercise

Labs do very well with training and respond best to positive reinforcement, Pitman says. She recommends training your Lab young to help them learn good habits and grow up to be a well-mannered adult.

If you’re a first-time Lab parent, she also recommends enrolling in an obedience class.

Once your Lab has the basics down, you can also consider additional training. Pitman says both types of Labs don’t just make great home companions. They can also be highly successful in retrieving, agility, nosework, and working a therapy dogs.

“They are bred with a desire to carry things in their mouth, whether it be a duck or your shoe,” she says. “They are a breed for all ages.”

Labs have a reputation for high energy, and they enjoy activities like playing with puzzle toys, trick training, long runs, and playing fetch.

When exercising your Lab, just make sure to take rest and water breaks often to prevent the risk of exercise-induced collapse.

Behaviors to note

A few potential behaviors Labrador Retrievers may display that require extra attention include:

Regular physical activity, mental stimulation, and training can help a dog overcome these issues.

Companionship and lifestyle

Labs make a great choice for first-time pet parents and they can do well with people living alone and families with kids. One of their stand-out traits is adaptability. They can do well in various living situations, including apartments.

“It’s not the size of the home that counts. It’s the size of the couch,” Pitman says. “However, they will need plenty of exercise, so you’ll need to make sure you have an exercise program in place for them.”

A Lab would rather you work from home so they can play and cuddle with you all day. That said, you can leave them alone for a few hours at a time. In these instances, you’ll want to make sure they have plenty of toys and puzzles to help keep them entertained and prevent potentially destructive behaviors.

Happy, playful black labrador retriever puppy excitedly playing tug-of-war with their multicolored dog toy
josephgruber via iStock

Is It Easy to Groom a Labrador Retriever?

Labrador Retrievers are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming.

Like all dogs, they require basic care for a clean coat and healthy skin.

You’ll want to brush your Lab’s thick double coat a few times a week. They can shed even more during fall and spring, so you’ll most likely find it helpful to brush them daily during these high-shedding seasons.

Because they do shed a moderate amount, they aren’t the best dogs for people with allergies.

You can bathe your Labrador Retriever on an as-needed basis. This will generally depend on how much they love to romp, roll in dirt, or swim! Ask your vet or groomer for more guidance on how often to bathe your dog.

To maintain a good grooming routine for your dog, you’ll also need to:

What Is a Labrador Retriever’s Life Expectancy?

The average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is about 12 years. However, chocolate Labs tend to have shorter lifespans compared to black and yellow Labs.

Labradors usually have good general health, Pitman says. Like any other dog breed, however, they do have a few genetic and environment-related health issues to consider, she adds. These include:

  • Elbow and hip dysplasia: Making sure your growing puppy gets the right amount of exercise for their age and size can help prevent hip and elbow dysplasia in their older years.
  • Allergies: Dogs can develop allergies to specific foods or other things in their environment.
  • Copper toxicity: Many dog foods contain copper, and copper buildup in the liver can affect your dog’s health. Your vet may recommend switching your Lab a food with less copper.
  • Torn cruciates (ACL tear): Labs are more prone to this injury due to the angle of the knee, but delaying their spay or neuter surgery may help lower this risk. Research suggests Labs are three times less likely to suffer a cruciate tear of the knee if they get spayed or neutered after their growth plates have closed. It’s important to make this decision with support from your vet.

A few genetic diseases Labradors may develop include:

  • Centronuclear myopathy
  • Exercise-induced collapse
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Hereditary nasal parakeratosis
  • Tricuspid valve disorder

Musculoskeletal disorders and cancer are typically the leading causes of death in Labs. Responsible breeders will perform simple genetic tests on a puppy’s parents to help prevent these diseases. This has improved the health of the Labrador Retriever to a high level, Pitman says.

A complete and balanced dog food is essential for your Lab, just as it is for all dogs! To learn more about the best dog foods, you can ask your breeder and vet for recommendations.

Labs may have a higher risk of obesity, so it’s important to feed them a life stage-appropriate food, limit portion sizes, and make sure they get enough exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

Worried about the cost of veterinary care for your new friend? Consider getting pet insurance to help reduce the cost of vet bills and give you some peace of mind.

How to Ethically Adopt or Buy a Labrador Retriever

The average cost of a Labrador Retriever puppy is $1,900, according to Good Dog. This price may vary depending on factors like the breeder’s reputation, location, and the lineage of the parent dogs.

How to rescue: purebred vs. mixed

Labrador Retrievers are popular dogs, so you’ll have an easier time finding one than you might with some other breeds.

A few purebred and mixed rescue groups can help you get started on your search for a Labrador Retriever:

It’s always worth checking out local shelters and rescues, too. You never know! You might find a Labrador Retriever near you in need of a forever home.

Vetting breeders

If you’d like to purchase a Labrador Retriever puppy, it’s important to do some research and find a responsible, ethical breeder.

The Labrador Retriever Club (LRC) recommends prospective pet parents take these steps when searching for a puppy:

  • Check that the puppy, litter mates, and mother all appear healthy and well-fed.
  • Check the environment to make sure it’s clean.
  • Pay attention to the mother and other puppies. Do they seem happy and comfortable around people?
  • Ask about pedigree information and health exams to check the hip, eye and elbow status of the dogs.
  • Ask the breeder for a certificate of the puppy’s first vaccines.
  • Inquire about the breeder’s terms of the guarantee, if they offer one.

To find a reputable Lab breeder or rescue club, visit The Labrador Retriever Club Inc.’s directory.

Other Large Dogs to Consider

If you like the Labrador Retriever but not sure they’re the best dog for you, you might want to consider one of these other large family dogs instead:

Takeaway

Labradors are among the most popular and beloved breeds, with good reason. They’re incredibly affectionate, suitable for people of all ages, playful, trainable, and devoted to their families.

Yet like any dog, they have their own set of unique care needs. If you’re interested in adding a Lab to your family, you should be prepared for the commitment involved. But rest assured, a loving and loyal companion like the Labrador Retriever is worth it!

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Yvonne Villasenor

Yvonne Villasenor

Yvonne Villasenor is a freelance journalist and lifelong animal lover based in Orange County, California. Her work has been featured in The Los Angeles Times, Daily Paws, This Dog’s Life, among others. When not writing, Yvonne enjoys lounging with her precious pets, exploring Southern California, and watching funny animal videos.