The Labrador Retriever is currently one of the most popular dog breeds. This is not surprising: with its friendly character and trainability, this affectionate bundle of energy proves to be an exemplary companion and wonderful family pet. Due to their versatility, Labradors are also valued working dogs as guide dogs for the blind, search and rescue assistants, and professional scent trackers. Let yourself be charmed by the good-natured and active furry friend!

History of the Labrador Retriever

As a hunting dog, it is specialized in retrieving a shot duck from the water. The Labrador has a good amount of Molosser blood in it, which can be seen to some extent, but especially helps to better understand its nature. The Labrador came to Europe about 200 years ago from the Canadian islands of Newfoundland and Labrador. However, it is not originally an American breed. Its ancestors likely came from Portugal and England. Along the rugged coast of the North Atlantic, it – together with its cousin, the Newfoundland – was an important helper to fishermen. It also proved useful in hunting waterfowl. With the cod ships, it repeatedly came to England in the 18th century.

There, hunters recognized its talent for retrieving from the water. No other dog retrieves the shot duck so eagerly and reliably, even from icy cold water. With the development of firearms in the 19th century, ducks were also shot at long distances. For the dogs, it was much more difficult to find and retrieve them in the reeds. The right job for the Lab. By crossbreeding with classic hunting dogs, its hunting skills were to be improved and expanded. Thus, it was developed into an all-round hunting utility dog. However, genetically speaking, the Labrador Retriever is not a classic hunting dog. Rather, it is very close to the Molossers. It likely mated with the Newfoundland, which also originated there, in its homeland of Newfoundland.

In addition, it brought the blood of Mastiffs from Portugal. You can see its relationship with the Molossers in the genetic map of dog breeds by Heidi G. Parker. But this relationship is also reflected in its nature. Water work as its specialty has been preserved until today. It is the most commonly used retrieving dog for game birds. A trained Labrador can remember exactly where a shot bird has fallen, in order to retrieve it purposefully. Together with its brother, the Golden Retriever, it has long been among the top breeds in popularity in the United States. There are many good reasons for this. The breed was recognized by the World Canine Organization FCI in 1954. Today, around 3000 puppies are born each year under the umbrella of the AKC.

Breed Characteristics and Appearance

The Labrador Retriever is a medium-sized, harmoniously built dog. Today, it is one of the most popular family dogs worldwide and one of the most capable working dogs overall. It is naturally a hunting dog with a strong affinity for water. It is a robust yet elegant dog without any exaggeration. A broad head with a distinct stop and the so-called otter tail are considered typical breed characteristics. The standard describes its appearance as:

“Well-built, short in the loin, very lively (which excludes excessive weight or substance); broad skull; broad and deep in chest and rib cage; broad and strong in loin and hindquarters.”

The Lab is bred in three color varieties: black, chocolate, and yellow. The tail, covered with short, dense fur, shows a very thick base and gradually tapers towards the tip. The dog’s coat is stocky, short, dense, hard, not wavy, and well provided with undercoat.

How big is a Labrador Retriever?

It has a withers height of 56 to 57 centimeters for males and around 55 centimeters for females.

How old does a Labrador Retriever get?

According to the American Kennel Club, the life expectancy of a Labrador Retriever is 10 to 12 years.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	High
Energy Level	High
Trainability	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	High

Traits and Characteristics

The Labrador Retriever has become an exceptionally popular dog within a few years for good reason. It has an above-average willingness to work for us humans. Experts call it “will-to-please.” Moreover, it has the right dimensions: not too big and not too small. The Labrador even manages the feat of being an extremely good family dog alongside its professional working qualities. This is a rarity in the world of dogs. Usually, extremely high-developed work performance and suitability as a cuddle, play, and walking partner in a family with children do not go together.

Here, his molosser blood probably comes into effect. Despite all seriousness in work, it is unreservedly friendly, even warmly affectionate towards humans. It seeks an intimate bond with its people and reciprocates it many times over. It is inclined to jokes and games with children. It gets along with other four-legged housemates. It is a pleasant companion on walks, hikes, and even jogging or – in moderation – cycling. The Labrador is an easy-to-handle companion. Its standard describes the character of this retriever as:

Balanced, very lively. Excellent nose, soft mouth; enthusiastic love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion. Intelligent, eager and willing, with a great desire to bring joy to its owner. Of friendly nature, with no signs of aggression or marked shyness.

A Labrador Retriever wants to work and needs to work. A bored Lab can then work off its excess energy in the apartment or become quite unwell otherwise. It is beneficial if you lead a very active life with this dog, be it in hunting, professionally, or in dog sports. But don’t worry, you don’t have to. The Lab is also suitable for a dedicated beginner.

Popular Mixes

Mixes with Labrador Retrievers are quite common. Its affable nature and extremely high willingness and ability to perform, not to mention its robust build, are traits that are often genetically passed on. There are also deliberate mixes. For example, the mix of Poodle and Labrador, the Labradoodle, is the first so-called designer dog worldwide.

Care, Health, and Diseases

The care of a Labrador Retriever is undemanding. Brushing occasionally is sufficient.

Are there breed-specific diseases in Labrador Retrievers?

It is a robust breed. Common hereditary diseases are successfully controlled in responsible breeding. Unfortunately, the Labrador population has now been effectively divided into two lines. On one side, we see the working line with hunting tests. On the other side, the breeding has developed show lines. These seemingly beautiful dogs often lose some of the typical retriever character and are characterized by indiscriminate friendliness as “Everybody’s Darling.” Particularly in England, the separation into utility and show lines is practiced.

Show Labradors are usually larger and much more powerful, and especially less robust and healthy. Personally, I would not choose a dog from a show line. What good is it to breed a dog – as the name suggests – for show, for appearance? This always tends to disregard its physical and mental health. Much more important is its nature and fitness than supposed beauty. Prof. Distl from the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover lists the Labrador among the breeds where hereditary epilepsy has been proven. You should also pay attention to this. Despite its popularity, the Labrador has remained a relatively healthy and robust dog.

What is the best food for a Labrador Retriever?

A Labrador Retriever is usually uncomplicated when it comes to nutrition. You should strictly ensure that he does not become overweight; as he is often very greedy. A specific gene mutation is widespread in his population, which promotes this tendency. Eleanor Raffan, a researcher at the University of Cambridge, found this out in 2016:

“A variation of the so-called POMC gene is associated with weight, obesity, and appetite in Labradors and Flat-Coated Retrievers.”

The Labrador is also suitable for raw feeding – if done correctly.

Activities

A Labrador Retriever is a hunting dog. He has many more abilities. He works as a drug detection dog, mine detection dog, or search and rescue dog, and above all in his supreme discipline as an assistance dog. Together with his brother, the Golden Retriever, he is the most commonly used companion for people with disabilities such as blind or paralyzed individuals. The Labrador Retriever is a working dog at the highest level. He is a proven helper in customs and police work, for example, in searching for contraband. He has helped save the lives of earthquake and avalanche victims countless times.

Considerations Before Getting One

Where can you buy a Labrador Retriever?

Especially with Labradors, you should look for reputable breeders locally. You will surely find them at the American Retriever Club or the Labrador Club of America. Only dogs that have been extensively tested for various hereditary diseases are used for breeding in these clubs. In addition, all breeding animals must have passed a temperament test in these clubs. The rapid growth in popularity of Labradors has prompted many providers who want to make quick money to enter the market. Such breeders and dog dealers do not care about the health or temperament of their products. Anyone who thinks they need to buy their Labrador “inexpensively” through an online platform via smartphone and home delivery is also buying a particularly large (and expensive) risk of getting a sick and mentally disturbed dog.

Training and Care

Does a Labrador Retriever suit me?

If you want to live with a Labrador, you should definitely be prepared to work with him daily, to take a larger walk every day, no matter the weather, especially in cold rainy weather, which is his special comfort weather. Otherwise, his care is unproblematic. You should not have a problem when he once again plunges into a lake and then has to get into the car soaking wet. There is suitable clothing and equipment for this. For transport, a professional aluminum transport box is recommended. When retrieving, one must be careful not to let him become addicted. The extremely eager-to-work, eager-to-learn dog needs challenging activities. But here lies his problem, or rather the potential problem for his humans.

A Labbi wants and needs to be educated and led appropriately. Despite or precisely because of his extraordinary abilities, he does not educate himself automatically. Leadership without consistency, a daily routine without challenges or at least an extensive walk, lack of connection to his humans frustrate him. Then he can work off his eagerness to work on the furniture. Or he develops into a retrieving junkie. This leads to stress for the owners, but above all for him. A Labrador absolutely needs meaningful, species-appropriate activities. This is essentially the biggest challenge in his care. He excels as a partner in many sports, such as agility or obedience.

The Labrador Retriever is also suitable as a normal companion and family dog ​​for an active owner. Based on a respectful, emotional bond with his people, he is very flexible. He is affectionate towards his family and often playful well into old age. Perhaps this contradiction – on the one hand, his excellent qualities as a professional working dog, on the other hand, suitability as a playful family dog – adds to the special fascination that this breed radiates.

Interesting Facts, Worth Knowing & Extras

The Labrador Retriever is – like all Retrievers – a hunting dog. But he can do much more. He is the all-rounder among dogs. At the same time, he has an extremely friendly disposition towards people. A Labrador, engaged in tasks and regularly exercised in all weather conditions, is an ideal family dog ​​and fantastic companion. The Labbi is the living embodiment of the friendship between humans and dogs.