Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information Labrador Retriever Photos Labrador Retreivers

The Labrador Retriever Dog Breed in Brief:

Origin: Newfoundland
Height: 21.5-24.5
Weight: 50-80 pounds
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Grooming Needs: Medium
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Good With Kids: Yes
Trainability: Easy
Yappiness: Low
Breed Group: Hunting
Common Misspellings: Labredor Retriever, Labridor Retriever, Labrador Retreiver
Alternate Names: Lab, Labs
Color Variations: Yellow, Black, Chocolate

Example of a Chocolate Labrador Retriever Puppy

Labrador Retriever Dog Breed History

Known as the most popular dog throughout the world, the Labrador Retriever's name is quite deceiving. The Labrador Retriever, or Lab as many like to call him, did not come from Labrador as his name would suggest but, rather, is a breed that originated in Newfoundland. The resulting cross of the gentle giant known as the Newfoundland, with smaller water dogs, the first Labs were known as the St. John's Water Dogs and they quickly gained popularity as keen and loyal hunting dogs. Not only did they have the keen senses like a pointer, making them capable of flushing game from the brush, but they were also skilled at swimming and retrieving game that had been shot. As early as the turn of the 19th century, the Labrador Retriever was already making a name for himself - though it is the Duke of Malmesbury who is credited with naming the Labrador Retrievers, which he commonly referred to as his "Labrador dogs."

Like many old breeds, the Labrador Retriever suffered his own struggle and strife - the breed died out in its own country, following a heavy taxation of dogs and an English quarantine law which prevented new dogs from being imported into England. The few remaining Labradors were then interbred with a variety of other retrievers, but the strong qualities of the breed survived the infusion of new blood and fanciers of the Labrador Retriever developed an anti-interbreeding law to prevent the bloodline from being thinned further. This led to a standard for the breed and, eventually, they would come to be known and recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1903. By 1917, the first Labrador Retrievers were registered with the AKC and have continued to gain popularity ever since - today, they remain popular hunting dogs, top quality pets, and are one of the main breeds that are chosen for the purposes of detection, guide, and rescue work.

Labrador Retriever Appearance

While not as "flashy" as some of the other breeds, the Labrador Retriever has earned his rightful place in the hearts of many. Few can resist the pretty cream coloration of the yellow lab, the deep and dark shades of a black lab, or the rich hues of a chocolate Labrador Retriever. With kind dark eyes and a loyal expression, even adults of this breed seem very sweet and huggable. And a Lab puppy? Many will tell you that there is nothing cuter!

An elegant Cream Labrador Retriever dog displaying blocky, English type head

Strongly built and sturdy, the Labrador Retriever females stand between 21.5 and 23.5 inches and the males at 22.5 to 24.5 inches, with more than a half inch over or under these heights being a disqualification according to the breed standard. The ideal Lab, in good working condition, should weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, though there are commonly exceptions to the rule, particularly amongst pet quality Labrador Retrievers. That the dogs are well-balanced is essential, and all Labradors should exhibit the qualities required for them to be reliable working dogs in the field - bright and intelligent eyes, a good width of both skull and of muzzle, allowing for ease in gripping game, sturdy and powerful limbs with webbed feet to help with swimming. Equally notable is the breed's hallmark "otter tail."

Labrador Retrievers can be found in three colors - Black, Chocolate and Yellow. While a small white spot is allowed on the chest, it's desirable for the Labs to be solid in color. Shading is permissible, though brindle or tan markings are disqualifications.

An elegant Cream Labrador Retriever dog
displaying blocky, English type head

Labrador Retriever Temperament

It's the temperament that has endeared the Labrador Retriever to so many hearts throughout the world - kind, loving, and exceedingly gentle, the Lab is not only a faithful and dedicated companion to hunters in the field, but also a very noble and affectionate family pet. Whether you choose a gamboling Labrador puppy or an adult Labrador Retriever, you're bound to find yourself getting lost in the patient and kind brown eyes and talking to them as if they would answer you back at any moment. Rarely are Labs found to be bad-tempered or unwilling. While puppies can sometimes seem a bit on the absent-minded side, positive reinforcement will help encourage your Lab puppy to become a willing and adept pupil.

Labrador Retriever Exercise Needs

Labrador Retrievers tend to be dogs that mellow with age. Puppies and juvenile Labs can be very rambunctious and outgoing, commonly resorting to high energy activities such as jumping up, digging and racing about to keep themselves amused. More mature Labs, however, can tend to be lazy and can easily become obese if allowed a sedentary lifestyle. To keep your Labrador Retriever active and fit, it's recommended that he be taken on at least a couple daily walks each day. Ideally, Labrador Retrievers enjoy a large yard where they can run and play, and they commonly enjoy games like fetch and Frisbee.

Labrador Retriever Grooming Requirements

With a medium to short-length coat, the Labrador Retriever requires a weekly or bi-weekly brushing in order to remove any dead hairs or dander from his skin. While a common shedder, feeding a high-quality food and performing these weekly brushings will help to keep shedding to a minimum. A monthly bath will help to add a healthy gleam to your Lab's coat without removing all the essential oils from his skin.

Regular checks of your Lab's ears should be made, ensuring there is no buildup of excess wax, foul-smelling discharge, or redness present. Care should be made when cleaning the ears never to put anything down into the ear canal. A soft Q-tip may be used to clean dirt from the outer parts of the ear but care should be taken as many dogs dislike this tickling sensation.

Training Your Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a very intelligent dog that is eager to please. Very open-minded, they love to learn and approach each new opportunity with a quick and willing desire. Obedience classes are an excellent choice, not only for your young dog to learn, but also for you to learn to get along with your dog and how to properly handle him. Labs are very smart and so care should be taken to curb any bad habits in a gentle but firm tone - chances are, he will be happy to stop, just as soon as he sees this displeases you.

Labrador Retriever Health Concerns

Like any breed of dog, the Labrador Retriever is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Lab puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Labrador Retrievers include:

Bloat
Hip dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia
Eye problems
Epilepsy
Exercise-induced collapse
Hypothyroidism
Diabetes

Additional Reading About Labrador Retrievers

Is the Labrador Retriever the Right Breed For You?

The Labrador Retriever is a wonderful dog for the right family. Careful consideration must be made, however, prior to buying. While most Labs are excellent with small children, parents should know that a small child should constantly be supervised with any animal, not only for the safety of the child, but also for that of the pet. Additionally, one should keep in mind that the Labrador Retriever can sometimes be a high maintenance pet, with all the exercise. If these things are not a problem for you, then perhaps you may be the right family for a bundle of Labrador Retriever joy.

Online Labrador Retriever Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Labrador Retriever dog breed. We've compiled a list of Labrador Retriever information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Labrador Retriever dog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of a Labrador Retriever information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Labrador Retriever breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

Labrador Retriever Pictures

Labrador Retrievers are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Labrador Retriever pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become a Labrador Retriever owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Labrador Retriever dogs, Labrador Retriever puppy photos, funny Labrador Retriever photos and more. Enjoy!

Labrador Retriever Dog Pictures

Buying a Labrador Retriever Puppy

picture of yellow labrador retriever lab puppy photos pictures Now that you have decided that the Labrador Retriever is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Labrador Retriever breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first Labrador Retriever puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Labrador Retriever breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Labrador Retriever breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Labrador Retriever breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Few can resist the beguiling expression of an adorable
Yellow Labrador Retriever Puppy

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Labrador Retriever puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

We Highly Recommend:

Labrador Retriever Clubs and Rescues

Labrador Retriever clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Labrador Retriever dog breed, help you locate a responsible Labrador Retriever breeder, or help you find a Labrador Retriever dog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Labrador Retriever clubs and Labrador Retriever rescues web sites for your convenience:

Naming Your Labrador Retriever Puppy

Choosing a name for your Labrador Retriever puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your Labrador Retriever. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Labrador Retriever puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Labrador Retriever puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

Labrador Retrievers - Labrador Retriever Dogs - Labrador Retriever Puppies - Labrador Retriever Photos - Labrador Retriever Rescues

Labrador Retrievers: St. John's Water Dogs

Labrador Retriever (Lab) Dog and Puppy Facts and Information - Guide to Labrador Retrievers (Labs)

Black Labrador Retrievers - Chocolate Labrador Retrievers - Yellow Labrador Retrievers