Dog breed profile
Labrador retriever
A detailed profile covering characteristics, everyday care and linked health conditions.
Quick facts
Typical guide only; individual needs vary.
Profile description
The Labrador Retriever is a medium-to-large sporting breed developed in Newfoundland and refined in Britain to retrieve fishing equipment and game birds from land and water. Most adults stand around 54 to 62 centimetres tall and weigh approximately 25 to 36 kilograms. The breed has a strong, athletic body, broad head, thick water-resistant double coat and distinctive otter-like tail.
Recognised colours are black, yellow and chocolate. Labradors are typically friendly, intelligent, energetic and strongly people-oriented. Their cooperative temperament has made them successful assistance, detection, search and rescue, therapy and sporting dogs. They generally enjoy children, visitors, other dogs, swimming and retrieving. A functionally built Labrador retriever should show balance and comfortable movement rather than an exaggerated interpretation of the physical features for which the breed is known.
Young Labradors can be highly active, mouthy and physically enthusiastic and may remain adolescent in behaviour for several years. They often have a strong appetite and can gain weight rapidly when food and exercise are not carefully managed. This breed generally suits households that can provide regular activity, training, companionship and careful weight control. Individual Labrador retrievers still vary with breeding, early experience, health and training, so these breed tendencies should guide preparation rather than predetermine the personality of every dog.
The decision to live with a Labrador retriever should account for adult size, temperament, activity and coat care. People choosing a Labrador retriever should meet mature examples where possible, because adult energy, confidence and handling needs may be less obvious in an appealing puppy. A well-matched Labrador retriever is normally included in everyday family life and given clear outlets for the same instincts that shaped the breed's original work or companionship role.
First-time dog owner tips
Practical preparation for welcoming this breed into your home.
Care requirements
Daily Labrador retriever care requires at least one to two hours of daily exercise, including brisk walks, retrieving, swimming, scent work, obedience and controlled running once physically mature. Puppies should avoid forced long-distance exercise, repetitive jumping and excessive impact while their joints develop. Increase duration and impact gradually in a young or previously unfit Labrador retriever; fatigue, altered gait or reluctance should prompt rest and assessment instead of forced completion. Swimming can suit the Labrador retriever, but access should be supervised, water quality and currents assessed, and the coat and ears dried appropriately afterwards.
Training should begin early and focus on recall, lead manners, calm greetings, reliable delivery of objects and appropriate chewing behaviour. Positive reinforcement and food rewards are usually highly effective, although treats should be included within the dog’s daily food allowance. Use each grooming session to examine the Labrador retriever's skin, feet, ears and body outline, making the process cooperative enough that subtle changes are noticed early. Introduce brushing, foot handling, mouth examination and quiet restraint to the Labrador retriever in brief rewarded steps before any of those procedures becomes urgent.
The short double coat needs weekly brushing and daily grooming during seasonal shedding. After a Labrador retriever swims in salt water, algae or contaminated water, rinse the coat and dry the dog thoroughly. Hanging ears should be checked frequently for moisture, redness or infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly and nails kept short. Measure the Labrador retriever's food against actual workload and reassess portions after growth, desexing, illness or a change in activity rather than relying indefinitely on the packet guide.
Food portions must be measured because obesity is common and increases joint and metabolic problems. Regular veterinary examinations should monitor hips, elbows, eyes, heart health, skin, ears and mobility.
Conditions linked to this breed
Atopy, Allergic and Autoimmune Diseases
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Cataract [Cloudiness of the Lens of the Eye]
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Cerebellar Abiotrophy [Cerebellar Ataxia]
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Ceroid Lipofuscinosis (Neuronal)
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Cervical Spondylomyelopathy [CSM, Canine Wobbler Syndrome]
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Chronic Inflammatory Hepatic Disease [Chronic Active Hepatitis]
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Congenital Myotonia
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Congenital Portosystemic Shunts
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Copper Hepatopathy
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Corneal Dystrophy
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Craniomandibular Osteopathy
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Degenerative Myelopathy
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Diabetes Mellitus
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Dysphagia [Swallowing Problems]
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Ectropion and Entropion
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Elbow Dysplasia
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Epilepsy (Idiopathic, Primary or Inherited Seizures)
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Exercise Induced Collapse
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Focal Multifocal Acquired Retinopathy
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Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV, or “Bloat”)
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Haemophilia A (Factor VIII Deficiency)
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Haemophilia B (Factor IX Deficiency)
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Hereditary Myopathy Autosomal Recessive Muscular Dystrophy
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Hip Dysplasia
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Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy HOD
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Ichthyosis
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Laryngeal Paralysis
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Lymphoedema
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Osteochondrodysplasia (Chondrodysplasia)
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Osteochondrosis
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Otitis Externa (Ear Infections)
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Panosteitis
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Persistent Pupillary Membrane & Persistent Hyaloid Remnants
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy Generalised
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Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA)
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Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (Non-spherocytic haemolytic anaemia)
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General dog health conditions
These conditions can affect dogs generally and are not presented as conditions specifically associated with this breed.