Breed Details
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability
Affectionate
flat Friendly
skin Tendencies
Cat Friendly
Child Friendly
Dog Friendly
Excercise Needs
Grooming
Health Issues
Intelligence
Energy Level
Shedding Level
Social pauperism
Stranger Friendly
Territorial
Trainability
guard dog Instincts
goodness - looking , bright and playfulness - loving , the Labrador Retriever has a lot going for him . He ’s large , but not too large , he ’s calm and cushy when he ’s not riotously fetching a tennis ball or a birdie . He ’s a do - it - all kind of dog .
The Labrador Retriever has systematically rate as the most popular purebred dog in the United States for more than 10 years , according to the American Kennel Club . The AKC registers more than a hundred thousand new Labrador Retrievers each class , but when you take into account all the Labs never registered at all , or registered with another organization such as the United Kennel Club , the popularity of this stable , family - friendly dog is genuinely staggering .
A Labrador Retriever has the kind of versatility that other hot dog only dream of . He can be a associate , show hound , hunting dog , canid jock , guide firedog , service andiron , sniffer hot dog , lookup and deliverance firedog , and therapy bounder . He delight jogging ( health permitting ) , boat , swim , hiking and more . If it ’s dynamic , outside and with his people , the Lab is quick and unforced to participate in any activity .
All of those characteristic make the Labrador well - suited to a potpourri of active syndicate . He ’s perfect for homes with rowdy older children , but may be a little robustious around tot , particularly as a puppy or young dog . single and couples who have it off the open also equate up well with this strain , and his size and even disposition make the Labrador a great fellow for active seniors who love to walk and would appreciate a dog who front intimidating , even if he is more of a lover than a fighter .
With adequate physical exercise , these various fellow can handle anything from a small urban center apartment to a vast spread . What they ca n’t handle is isolation : if you get a Lab , make him a extremity of your family , not an outdoor dog .
A prissy research laboratory pup can usually be buy for $ 700 to $ 1,500 . For this terms you should expect the puppies to have been raised in a clear environs from a reputable breeder .
Other Quick Facts
TheHistoryof Labrador Retrievers
You might think that the Labrador is a aborigine of the rugged Canadian responsibility of the same name , but that ’s not necessarily the vitrine . He was first known as the lesser Newfoundland — probably to separate him from the giant breed known as the Newfoundland — the St. John ’s Newfoundland or the St. John ’s frank .
expert have a couplet of dissimilar hypothesis about how the breed came to be shout out the Labrador . One is that the name is borrowed from the Spanish Scripture for laborer — labrador — which is sure a fitting description , or that the stock is related to the dogs that keep company Portuguese fishermen who trawled the Grand Banks off the seacoast of Labrador and its neighbour Newfoundland . Those dogs , know as cani di castro laboreiro , perform such chore as retrieving token from the water , including Pisces - laden nets , and swim messages from gravy boat to boat . Sounds like a laboratory , all right .
Whatever they were called , the weenie were known for their incisive sense of smell , power to find downed birds , and velocity . British visitors to Newfoundland treasure the bounder ’ power and convey them back to England . There , they caught the oculus of the Earl of Malmesbury , who acquired some of the water - have a go at it dog-iron to hunt the swamplands surrounding his estate . The Earl ’s Logos begin breeding the dogs and it was he who give them the name Labrador . The Kennel Club in England made the breed functionary in 1903 .
Labs made their room back to North America in the other 20thcentury , imported by American sportsmen who admired their adaptability and work ethic . Since then , the stock ’s popularity has run up , up , up . In 1997 , a chocolate research laboratory pup describe Buddy became the first Labrador Retriever to make the White House his home .
The modern Labrador Retriever is an easy - going , easy - to - train dog who comes in three colour : bleak , yellow and umber . He also add up in three different body types , depending on his background and function .
Labrador Retriever Personality andTemperament
The Labrador engender standard says that temperament is as much a trademark of the strain as the “ otter fag end . ” The idealistic Labrador is kindly , forthcoming and amenable , eager to please , and tend not to be aggressive toward masses or other animals .
Those traits are the foundation of the science lab ’s personality , but each dog puts his own spin on them . Some are serious , some are goofball , some are allow , some never satisfy a stranger . You might learn that science laboratory personalities alter by people of color , but it ’s more probable that a firedog ’s temperament is affected by the breeder ’s finish . science laboratory from breeders who produce top - make headway airfield - trial dogs are more demanding when it comes toexercise and training . They are unsuited to lying around the house all day while everyone is at work or school . More laid back Labs typically come from a breeder who prove dogs in conformation .
Before the long time of 2 or 3 , many Labrador can be passing active and destructive despite their breed report for calm temperament . It ’s in their extensive adolescence that many Labrador find appeal in swallowing rocks , socks and Barbie wench , all of which — and more — have been surgically removed from these dogs .
Start grooming too soon ; be patient and be ordered and one day you will wake up to find that you live with a great bounder . Even so , there are a couple of Lab behavior that you should gestate to experience with throughout his animation . They are part and parcel of being a Lab , and nothing you do will change them . Labs are active , Labs lie with to get wet , and Labs love to eat .
Labs are active , unless they ’re sleeping . It was probably a science laboratory who inspired the saying “ A well-worn hot dog is a good dog . ” Joint and overall wellness permitting , be disposed to give a science lab a couple of half - minute walks or runs day by day to play his physical exertion pauperization . The serious part about experience a Lab is that there are any identification number of fun ways you may offer him with physical activeness and mental stimulation . Take him swimming , teach him to run alongside your bicycle once he is physically mature at 18 to 24 month of age , go hiking , make him the first mate on your gravy boat , or get involved in dog sport such as agility , obeisance , rallying , trailing , flyball , freestyle — you name it , a Lab has probably done it . However , it ’s always a good musical theme to check with your vet before starting a new employment program with your andiron .
If you give him an way out for his vim , a Lab will be the best dog you could ever have . If you do n’t , you ’ll be spending all your time and energy repairing gob in the wall , make full in holes in your yard , replace masticate - up furniture and worse . Not because your Lab is a bad dog but simply because he has find his own peculiar ways to entertain himself . Do n’t give him the opportunity .
Labs make love piddle . Any body of water puddle - sized or larger will appeal a Labrador , and mud is considered a mode accessory . The short , drip - dry pelage of the Lab sheds water and dirt easily , but that ’s of picayune consolation if the debris bring down on lily-white rug .
Labs have intercourse to eat , and they will assay to use up anything . They are professional countersurfers , and they will consume anything that calculate like it might be food . If nothing else , exist with a laboratory will instruct you , your married person and your Thomas Kid to put thing away if they do n’t want them to be masticate up or eaten .
Labs are smart and highly trainable , but they do n’t just magically become into great dogs . Any dog , no matter how overnice , can make grow obnoxious levels of bark , jab , countersurfing and other undesirable behaviors if he is bored , untrained or unsupervised . And any dog can be a run to live with during adolescence . In the subject of the Lab , the “ stripling ” years can start at 6 month and continue until the dog is about 3 years old .
What You Need to Know About Labrador RetrieverHealth
A reputable breeder will be reliable and open about wellness trouble in the stock and the incidence with which they occur in her lines . Here ’s a brief summation on what you should know about some of the medical conditions that can impress the Labrador ’s health .
The most well known health issues are relate to the malformation of articulatio coxae and elbows ( hip dysplasiaand elbow dysplasia , respectively).Eye diseasessuch as progressive retinal wasting away andcataractsare possible concern . So is exercise - hasten flop , a muscle abnormality that affects the hot dog ’s strength , toughness and movement . Other health problem that may affect the breed include heart disease , an orthopaedic problem called osteochondrosis , panosteitis ( growing striving ) , epilepsy and allergic skin disease .
Labrador breeders should be able to raise independent authentication that the parents of the dog ( and grandparent , etc . ) have been screened for wellness defects and view as levelheaded for breeding . That ’s where health registries come in .
Before item-by-item Labradors can be include in theCanine Health Information Center(CHIC ) database , the Labrador Retriever Club involve them to have hip and elbow certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals ( OFA ) and certification from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation ( CERF ) .
Breeders must concord to have all test results , prescribed or negatively charged , publish in the CHIC database . A dog need not obtain proficient or even sink scores on the evaluations to receive a CHIC number , so CHIC registration alone is not proof of soundness or absence of disease , but all test outcome are posted on the CHIC website and can be accessed by anyone who wants to check the health of a puppy ’s parent .
Not every Labrador sojourn to the vet is for a genetic problem . humiliated toe and torn toenails , slice and scrapes , and foxtail grass embedded in the skin are just another Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at the office for these big , active domestic dog . And like human athlete , Labrador Retrievers are prostrate to anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ) binge . The cause of these types of injuries is not yet clear . investigator are looking into whether anatomy or genetics are predisposing factor .
Labs also see veterinarians frequently because they have eaten something they should n’t . It ’s not unusual for Labs to undergo multiple surgeries to remove hired man towel , toys , corn hazelnut and other particular they ’ve swallowed that then stimulate anintestinal blockage . close supervising of what he ’s chewing on can save you big bucks at the veterinary hospital .
Canceroccurs in the breed , most commonly in middle - aged to old dogs , but certain character of Crab can hap in comparatively new dogs . If you ’re getting a puppy , ask the breeder about the years of the domestic dog in her lines and what they pass of .
Veterinarians call these dog “ Flabradors ” becauseobesity is commononce they hit their middle - age mellowing out phase . A careful dieting , good supervision and plenty of exercise are a must to keep these glad retrievers salubrious and out of hassle . Keeping a Lab at an appropriate weight has been prove to add two additional years of life .
The Basics of LabradorGrooming
Labs are gentle - charge dogs who do n’t need quite a little of fancy grooming , but there are a few important things to know about their care .
Labs spill . A great deal . You ’ll have less hair lie around the firm if you brush your science laboratory once or twice a calendar week so that the hair goes onto the coppice instead of onto your article of furniture and clothes . A rubber curry brush and a metal peeling vane or wire slicker brush are your fresh best friends .
Labs are water dogs . When your Lab gets wet , and he will , give him a thorough fresh water rinse to murder Cl , table salt or lake gook from his pelt , all of which can be dry or otherwise damaging to the coat .
Labs are prone to ear infection . To preventear infection , dry the ears thoroughly after a swim , and employ an ear neat recommended by your veterinary .
Trim your science laboratory ’s nailsevery week or two , as need . They should never get long enough that youhearthem clacking on the base . Long nails can make it uncomfortable for the laboratory to take the air , and they can get caught on thing and tear off . That ’s really sore , and it will bleed a lot . Brush the tooth frequently with avet - approved pet toothpastefor expert dental health and bracing breathing time .
Choosing a Labrador Breeder
Finding a good stock breeder is a great way to find the correct pup . A good stock breeder will match you with the right Labrador puppy , and will have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out wellness problems .
near breeder will welcome your question about temperament , wellness clearances and what the hot dog are like to live with . They will also ask you questions of their own about what you ’re looking for in a dog and what kind of biography you could provide for him .
For the heavy - dictated Labradors opt by show breeders in the United States and the United Kingdom , theLabrador Retriever Club , Inc.offers information as well as stock breeder and rescue referral . For the middle - weight unit show - case Labradors prefer in most other state , theNational Labrador Retriever Clubalso offers such information and referral . For the lean , theater - character Labradors who are best suited to more athletic endeavour , Retriever Training Forumoffers breeder classifieds .
Breeders should betray puppies with a compose contract guaranteeing they ’ll take back the andiron at any time during his liveliness if you become unable to keep him , and with written documentation that both the puppy ’s parent ( and if possible , his other nigh congenator ) have had their hips , eyes and elbows examined and evidence by the appropriate health constitution . try out a breeder whose andiron are alive in field trials , hunt examination , agility , obedience and other sports that require strenuosity and good health , and not just typewriter ribbon from the show ring .
Labrador stock breeder red flag include breeders who only deal puppy online , who wo n’t countenance you chaffer their facility in mortal , who do n’t leave health headway , and who always seems to have puppies uncommitted for leverage . Ask your veterinarian for a good word . They can often refer you to a reputable breeder , breed delivery organization , or other reliable germ for healthy Labrador Retriever pup .
The monetary value of a Labrador Retriever pup varies depending on his place of parentage , whether he is male or distaff , what titles his parent have , and whether he is best suited for the show ring or a pet home . And before you determine to purchase a puppy , consider whether an adult Labrador Retriever may be a safe alternative . An adult Labrador Retriever may already have some training and will probably be less active , destructive and necessitate than a puppy .
Adopting a LabradorFrom a Rescue or Shelter
There are many great options available if you require to adopt a Labrador Retriever from an beast shelter or engender saving organization . Here is how to get start .
Put Your Online Skills to Use . Sites likePetfinder.com and Adopt-a-Pet.comare ideal tools for finding Labrador detent in your area.AnimalShelter.orgcan help you find fauna rescue groups in your area . Social media is another slap-up way to find adoptable weenie . Post on your Facebook page , Instagram , or TikTok that you are see for a Labrador Retriever to assume so that your entire community can be your eyes and auricle .
Talk to the Pet Pros in Your Area . That includes veteran , dog Walker , and groomers . If a someone has to give up a heel , that somebody will often ask her own intrust meshwork for recommendation about rehoming . If you rent local pet professionals know that you ’re look for a Lab , they might just be able to colligate you with someone and keep a dog out of the shelter environs .
Research a Breed Rescue . Networking can help you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your family . TheLabrador Club of America’srescue web can help you find a dog that may be the perfect addition to your menage . you could also explore online for other Labrador rescues in your area .
If you ’re on the fencing about adopting a Labrador Retriever , many breed delivery radical offer foster programs . Fostering a dog can be a great style to see if the breed is the right fit for your home .
Labrador RetrieverFAQs
Do Labrador Retrievers shed?
When it comes to shedding dog breeds , Labrador Retrievers near the top of the list . Their unique double coat ensure you will chance their hair around your rest home year - round . science lab pour forth particularly bad twice a year when the seasons deepen as they blow out their coats .
project to brush them on a regular basis . By prepare them at least twice a week , you are much less probable to notice their hair on your clothes , piece of furniture , floors , and everywhere else you do n’t want it .
How big do Labrador Retrievers get?
The size of it of the your Labrador Retriever will depend on several divisor , including sex and lifestyle . Males on average grow between 22.5 - 24.5 in grandiloquent and librate between 65 - 80lbs , while females more often than not stand between 21.5 - 23.5 in marvellous and weigh between 55 - 70lbs .
Labs love to eat . That means , when left unchecked and coupled with a sedentary lifestyle , Labs are also susceptible to fleshiness . Getting your laboratory out to exercise on a regular basis and monitor his food intake will prevent any of the harmful health effects that come with being heavy .
How long do Labrador Retrievers live?
The life story expectancy of a Labrador Retriever is between 11 and 13 eld sometime . While generally considered a healthy strain , Labs are susceptible to sealed status like Crab which can threaten their seniority . But with regular check - ups at the ex-serviceman , an active lifestyle , and plenty of making love at home , Labrador Retrievers can live a tenacious and healthy life as a extremity of your house .
How much is a Labrador Retriever?
Labrador Retrievers are the single most democratic stock registered with the AKC every year . When you grease one’s palms from a reputable breeder , you could bear to spend between $ 700-$1,500 for a Labrador puppy . terms can climb much higher if you ’re seek a Labrador Retriever with a champion pedigree and show quality bloodline . These puppies can be upwards of $ 3,000 to lend home with you .
