Labrador Retriever
Summary
The Labrador Retriever is the most registered dog breed in the world and one of the most versatile. Originating from Newfoundland, Canada, where it helped fishermen retrieve nets and fish, it was later refined in England as a hunting and game retrieval dog. Its exceptional intelligence, emotional stability, and working instinct have made it indispensable as a guide dog, search and rescue dog, police dog, and therapy dog.
Physical Characteristics
- Size
- Medium to large
- Height (male)
- 56–57 cm
- Height (female)
- 54–56 cm
- Weight (male)
- 29–36 kg
- Weight (female)
- 25–32 kg
- Life Expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Coat
- Short, dense, hard to the touch, with a waterproof undercoat
- Common Colors
- Black, yellow (from pale cream to golden fox) and chocolate (brown)
Temperament & Personality
The Labrador is an extremely sociable, friendly, and balanced dog. It is excellent with children, the elderly, and other animals, being rarely aggressive. Its obedient nature and constant desire to please make it one of the most widely trained working dogs in the world. It has considerable energy and needs regular physical and mental exercise to avoid becoming destructive.
Activity & Exercise
- Energy Level
- High
- Recommended Daily Exercise
- 60–120 minutes
Grooming & Care
- Grooming Needs
- Low to moderate
- Shedding
- Moderate to heavy
- Bathing Frequency
- Every 0 weeks
Health
- Common Health Issues
- Centronuclear myopathy
- Exercise-induced collapse
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Obesity (pronounced tendency)
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Recommended Health Tests
- Cardiac examination
- Genetic test for EIC
- Hip and elbow radiography
- Test for PRA and centronuclear myopathy
Compatibility
- With Children
- Excellent
- With Other Dogs
- Excellent
- With Cats
- Good
- For First-Time Owners
- Recommended
