Labrador Retriever Dog Breed: Characteristics, Facts, and Names

The sweet, friendly Labrador Retriever is everyone’s favorite. A family dog, he is America’s most popular breed. Labrador retrievers also work as assistant dogs to the handicapped. They also serve as search and rescue dogs. Earlier used as a fisherman’s helper, he is as good today as he was earlier. He is hardworking and will love any assigned task.

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Overview


labrador retriever dog breed overview

Group: Sporting Group
Size: Large (50-80 pounds)
Lifespan: 10-12 Years
Best Suited For: Families
Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Outgoing
Exercise Needs: High
Drooling Potential: Moderate
Grooming Needs: Moderate
Similar Breeds: Golden Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever

1. Basic Features

labrador basic features

Trained to help the blind and disabled, the Labrador Retriever is the favorite breed of many. He is also a part of many official agencies where he helps in screening and detection work.

They are generally medium-large in size having a short but dense coat. A special feature about its coat is that it is water resistant. He can thus take to the water and not get cold in winters. Black, yellow and chocolate are three acceptable colors.

They have a broad head and eyebrows a little pronounced. They have lovely expressive eyes which are brown or hazel in color. Labrador Retrievers are known for their floppy ears which hang close to their head.

2. Labrador Retriever Origin

The Labrador Retriever is said to have originated in Newfoundland.

They were originally called the St. John’s dogs.

They were the fisherman’s dogs and served as companions to the local fishermen. These Labrador retrievers were soon noticed for their sense of smell, speed, and other qualities.

They were hence imported to England for hunting purposes. The breed was thus made official in 1903 in England. The British labs were then imported back to the US and soon became really famous there as well. The breed’s popularity only went up since then.

3. The Personality of Labrador Retriever

cute lab

Labrador Retrievers are sweet-natured and really good dogs. They’re intelligent and outgoing. Lab retrievers make excellent family pets. They were originally bred to work. So, it’s important that they get plenty of exercises which would keep them fit.

They are full of energy and very friendly. Also, they are eager to please and love their owners.

4. Labrador Retriever Behavior

Labrador Retrievers are even-tempered and gentle. They are great with other dogs and children. These dogs need regular exercise and company. If left alone for long hours, they can become destructive and take up habits like chewing and digging.

It is thus important to exercise your dog properly. They are high energy strong dogs and thus it is important to channelize their energy with proper exercise. Labradors are also considered hyperactive and full of enthusiasm. They are fast, athletic and fun loving.

5. Exercise Requirements

As discussed earlier, Labrador Retrievers need plenty of exercises. They are energetic and very playful. Labrador Retrievers may engage in destructive behavior if not exercised properly.

They love water and hence enjoy swimming. One of the breed’s favorite is retrieving.

They also serve as service dogs and channelize their energy as search and rescue dogs, drug and bomb detection dogs, and assistance dogs. They have many such important roles and duties.

A daily requirement of exercises and physical activity is thus mandatory for a lab.

6. Diet Needs

Labrador Retrievers love to eat. They eat anything that pleases them. However, it is important to keep a check on your dog’s nutritional requirements. They require a balanced diet which contains all the important nutrients.

They will eat as much and whatever you feed them, thus you require to be well informed about what is good for your pooch.

Labrador Retrievers are prone to gaining weight. If the owners aren’t careful with their dog’s diet and exercise, he may even become obese. They should never be overfed.

7. Trainability

labrador trainability

These dogs are enthusiastic and happy to learn. They are intelligent dogs who love their families. Labrador Retrievers are eager to please and thus easily trainable.

Early socialization should be an important part of their training as they are strong dogs and have high energy most of the times. Your dog should be accustomed to different people and places. They are

8. Common Health Problems

There are a few health problems that the Labrador Retrievers are prone to. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common which cause the malformation of the hips and the elbows. Eye diseases are also common including cataract and corneal dystrophy.

Heart diseases, epilepsy, and allergic skin diseases are some genetic health conditions. Most of the health conditions show up when the dog is grown up. Exercise-induced collapse is a syndrome which causes weakness and collapse. This is another condition suffered by Labrador retrievers.

Obesity is also a serious concern in Labs. Laziness and improper exercise can easily lead a Labrador to become overweight.

This, in turn, could cause other health conditions like diabetes and joint problems.

9. Who Should Adopt a Labrador Retriever?

Labrador Retrievers are great dogs. They are strong and are used for a number of purposes. These dogs love their owners and are thus wonderful family pet as well. These dogs are ideal for families with children and other pets as they get along with children and other pets easily.

Labs are great pets as long as their needs are kept in mind. They should be exercised daily. To avoid any behavioral problems, they should be given plenty of time. Thus, a lab would be the happiest in a family around people and other dogs.

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