Labrador Retriever: temperament, size, care and health

About the Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a medium-large, athletic dog with a broad head, a thick tapering tail often compared to an otter's, and a short coat that sheds water easily. Adults stand roughly knee to mid-thigh height on an adult person and carry a lot of muscle on a compact frame. The three recognized colors are black, yellow and chocolate, and all three can appear in the same litter.

The breed was developed to retrieve game and fishing gear from cold water, and it still does that work. Today most Labradors live as household companions, but the breed also fills many roles as guide dogs, detection dogs, therapy dogs and hunting partners. People keep them because they are sociable, forgiving of mistakes and willing to work for praise and food.

Temperament and family life

A typical Labrador greets nearly everyone with enthusiasm. That makes it a poor guard dog and a very good choice for households with visitors, children and other pets. Most get along with cats and other dogs when raised with them. Their size and exuberance, especially in the first two or three years, can knock over toddlers and older relatives, so early manners matter.

Labradors want to be near their people. A dog left alone for long stretches without activity often turns to chewing, digging or raiding the trash. The breed is strongly food motivated, which helps training but also leads to scavenging and weight gain.

Exercise and training

An adult Labrador needs a real workout every day: a long walk plus fetch, swimming or a similar outlet. Many stay playful into old age. Puppies are bouncy and mouthy, and they carry things in their mouths constantly, so supplying toys they are allowed to carry saves furniture and shoes.

Training is usually straightforward. Labradors respond well to rewards, learn commands quickly and enjoy having a job, which is why the breed does well in obedience, dock diving, scent work, field trials and assistance work. Pulling on the leash is a common complaint and is worth correcting while the dog is still young.

Grooming and shedding

The coat looks easy to keep, and it is, but it sheds heavily. Expect hair on clothing and floors all year, with heavier loss twice a year when the undercoat is dropped. Brushing once or twice a week removes loose hair, and a rubber grooming mitt works well on the short coat.

Bathe only when the dog is dirty. Because the breed loves water and has folded, hanging ears, the ears should be dried after swimming and checked regularly for odor or redness. Nails need trimming, and a Labrador that rarely walks on pavement will need them done often.

Health

Hip and elbow dysplasia are the best known joint problems. Labradors also tend toward weight gain, which worsens joint trouble and shortens life, so measured meals and body condition checks are routine care. Other concerns include ear infections, some inherited eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy, and a genetic condition called exercise-induced collapse. Breeders commonly screen with hip and elbow evaluations, eye exams and DNA tests, and a buyer can ask to see the results. This is general information, and a veterinarian is the right person to ask about any particular dog.

History

The Labrador's ancestors were working water dogs in Newfoundland, kept by fishermen. Some of these dogs reached England in the 1800s, and noble sporting estates in Britain, including those of the Earls of Malmesbury, refined them into retrievers for shooting. The breed was recognized by The Kennel Club in Britain in 1903. The American Kennel Club recognized it in 1917, and it became popular as both a field dog and a pet, ranking among the most registered breeds in America for many years.

Is the Labrador Retriever right for you?

A Labrador suits an active household that will give daily exercise, tolerate some hair and have time for training. It does well with children and is often recommended to people getting a first dog, provided they accept the energy of the first few years.

It is a poorer match for someone away from home most of the day, someone who wants a quiet apartment dog, or a person who cannot keep a food-loving dog lean. Comparable breeds include the Golden Retriever, which has a longer coat to groom, and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, which is more protective and independent. The Flat-Coated Retriever is a livelier, longer-coated alternative.