Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever (also known simply as the Labrador or Lab) is a medium-large breed of retriever gun dog. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the Western world, and is the most popular dog by ownership in the United Kingdom.

Labradors have a short, dense coat that is water-resistant and slightly dry and oily, a broad head with kind, expressive eyes, and a powerful, muscular body. Their coats come in three registered colours: black, yellow (anything from creamy white to fox-red) and chocolate. Pups of all colours can occur in the same litter.

Under the American Kennel Club standard, ideal weight is 25-36 kg for dogs and 25-32 kg for bitches. The UK Kennel Club advises heights of 56 to 57 centimetres for dogs and 55 to 56 centimetres for bitches. The tail, often called an otter tail, and the coat are both named as distinctive features of the breed.

They were bred as sporting and hunting dogs but are widely kept as companions. They also work as guide, assistance, rescue, therapy and detection dogs.

The Labrador was developed in the United Kingdom from St John's water dogs, bred by European settlers in Newfoundland. From the 1830s these dogs were brought to Britain on ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset, and were then bred with British hunting dogs. Early patrons included the Earl of Malmesbury, the Duke of Buccleuch and the Earl of Home.

In the 1880s the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home worked together to establish the breed. The offspring of their dogs are the ancestors of all modern Labradors.

By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever was common in England. Liver (now usually called chocolate) pups were documented at the Buccleuch kennels in 1892, and the first yellow Labrador on record was born in 1899. The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1903, and the first American Kennel Club registration came in 1917.

Early writers sometimes confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland.

Labradors are often friendly, energetic and playful. Although they are content as companions, they are intelligent and need both physical and mental stimulation.

As water retrievers, they have a soft mouth, which lets them carry game without damaging it. Fully webbed paws, an otter-like tail and a waterproof coat help them swim.

Their intelligence, initiative and self-direction show in working roles. One Labrador, Endal, was trained to put his owner, who used a wheelchair, in the recovery position, cover him with a blanket and activate an emergency phone. Labradors have a high success rate as guide dogs.

There are significant differences between show-bred and field or trial-bred lines.

A UK study found an average life expectancy of 13.1 years. Other studies give different figures, including 11 years in a 2024 Italian study. A Swedish insurance study found 25% of Labradors died by the age of 10, compared with 35% of dogs overall. Chocolate Labradors have been found to live about 10% less long on average than other colours, and to be more likely to suffer some health problems.

Labradors have a predisposition to chronic hepatitis and other liver and gall bladder diseases. They are somewhat prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, especially larger dogs.

Eye conditions can include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy and retinal dysplasia. The breed is also one of the more commonly affected for progressive rod-cone degeneration, caused by a recessive mutation in the PRCD gene.

They can suffer from exercise induced collapse, and from obesity, which in some cases may be partly due to the absence of part or all of the proopiomelanocortin gene.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

How long do Labradors live?

A UK study found an average life expectancy of 13.1 years, though other studies report shorter figures. Chocolate Labradors have been found to live about 10% less long on average.

Are Labradors good family pets?

They are often friendly, energetic and playful, and they are one of the most commonly kept dogs in the UK. They are intelligent and need both physical and mental stimulation.

What colours do Labradors come in?

They are registered in black, yellow and chocolate. Yellow ranges from creamy white to fox-red, and chocolate was originally called liver. Pups of all colours can appear in the same litter.

Are Labradors water dogs?

Yes. They were bred to retrieve on land and water, with a waterproof coat, fully webbed paws and an otter-like tail to help them swim.

Are American and English Labradors different breeds?

No. Both field and show types are bred in both countries, and all Labrador Retrievers descend from British lines.

Endal was called the most decorated dog in the world. He was the first dog to ride on the London Eye and the first known to work a chip and pin card at a cash machine.

Labradors have been used as guide dogs, and about 60-70% of guide dogs in the United States are Labradors.

Sadie and Sasha, Labradors serving in Afghanistan, were awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry.

Twin Labradors Lucky and Flo sniffed out nearly 2 million counterfeit DVDs on a secondment to Malaysia.

In 2006 there were well over twice as many registered Labradors in the UK as the next most popular breed.