The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, very active dog. Wide over the loins and strong and muscular hindquarters. Labrador Retrievers are easy to train and are good with children and other dogs. The Labrador Retriever is good natured, loyal and hardworking. Labrador Retrievers are employed as guide dog and sniffer dog detecting drugs and explosives. The Labrador Retriever should never be aggressive, they are good tempered and very agile and make a devoted companion who has a strong will to please.


Height: Males 22.5 - 24.5 inches, Females 21.5 - 23.5
Weight: Males 60 - 75 lbs, Females 55 - 70 lbs

Colors: Black, yellow, chocolate
Coat: Close, short, dense without waves or feathering

Temperament: Labrador Retrievers are responsive, friendly, non-aggressive, intelligent.
With Children: Yes, devoted to their family and pleasing them.
With Pets: Yes
Special Skills: Field sports dog, guide for blind, drugs search dog, family pet, and others.

Watch-dog: High
Guard-dog: Medium - Low

Care and Training: Labrador Retrievers need plenty of exercise and should not be kept in a locked space. Minimum light brushing of the Labrador Retrievers coat will keep it in great shape. Labrador Retrievers needs daily contact. The Labrador Retriever also loves vigorous exercise including swimming. Labrador Retriever puppies are easy to raise and train and should be introduced to people at an early age. Beware of overfeeding your Labrador Retriever as it is easy for them to become lazy and obese.
Learning Rate: Very High, Obedience - High, Problem Solving - Medium

Activity: Outdoor - Medium, Indoor - High
Living Environment: Labrador Retrievers are happiest out in the countryside, but will adapt to urban environment with a fenced yard when sufficient exercise is given. Labrador Retrievers are active and enjoy human interaction. The owner of a Labrador Retriever needs to be able to spend time to exercise, train and play with them.

Health Issues: Usually hardy. Potential problems with hip dysplasia, epilepsy, progressive retinal atrophy and skin allergies.

Life Span: 10 - 12 years
Litter Size: 7 - 8

Country of Origin: Canada
History: Labrador Retrievers are believed to have their origins in Greenland where they were used by fishermen. They were then introduced into Britain in the late 1900, from there the Labrador Retriever made their way to Newfoundland Island, Canada in the early nineteenth century. There the Labrador Retriever worked collecting fish that fell out of the nets. They were also used as a retriever for water birds. At one time Labrador Retrievers were only black in color, now yellow has become more popular. The Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular breeds of dogs.

First Registered by the AKC: 1917
AKC Group: Sporting Group
Class: Gundog
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 8), KC (GB), UKC