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Dog · FCI group 8

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, active water retriever originating in Newfoundland and refined in Great Britain. This breed shows an eager-to-please temperament, high intelligence, and strong sociability with people and other animals. You must provide daily physical exercise, mental work, and strict dietary control to keep them healthy.

  • good-tempered
  • agile
  • biddable
  • adaptable
  • sociable
  • eager-to-please
Labrador Retriever
OriginGreat Britain
Size
Large
Adult weight
24.9 to 36.3 kg
Height at the withers
54.6 to 62.2 cm
Lifespan
11 to 13.1 years

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

How big does a Labrador Retriever get?

An adult Labrador Retriever weighs 24.9 to 36.3 kg and stands 54.6 to 62.2 cm at the withers.

The American Kennel Club lists male heights of 57.2 to 62.2 cm and female heights of 54.6 to 59.7 cm, with working weights of 29.5 to 36.3 kg for males and 24.9 to 31.8 kg for females. The Kennel Club in the UK sets ideal heights of 56 to 57 cm for males and 55 to 56 cm for females, with no specific weight limits in British and FCI standards.

[S4][S5][S6][S7][S8]

How long does a Labrador Retriever live?

A Labrador Retriever lives 11 to 13.1 years.

Large cohort studies report median life spans between 12.0 and 13.1 years, while standard kennel guidelines list 11 to 13 years. Research shows non-chocolate Labradors have a median life span of 12.1 years compared to 10.7 years for chocolate individuals.

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What health problems are common in the Labrador Retriever?

The most common in the Labrador Retriever are: Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-prcd), Obesity, Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM), Otitis Externa.

6 to 18 months, or secondary wear in senior dogs

Hip Dysplasia [S12][S26][S27]

This is a developmental joint malformation where the hip joint becomes loose, leading to progressive osteoarthritis.

Ask your vet about:

  • PennHIP evaluation from 16 weeks of age
  • OFA pelvic radiographs at or after 24 months of age
4 to 10 months of age

Elbow Dysplasia [S9][S26][S28]

This condition involves abnormal bone development in the elbow joint, causing forelimb lameness and joint degeneration.

Ask your vet about:

  • Extreme flexed lateral elbow radiographs evaluated by the OFA
5 months to 3 years of age

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) [S26][S29][S30]

This neuromuscular disorder causes sudden muscle weakness and loss of hindlimb movement after intense activity or excitement.

Ask your vet about:

  • DNA mutation test for the DNM1 gene
3 to 7 years of age

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-prcd) [S26][S28]

This inherited eye disease degrades the retina over time, starting with night blindness and ending in complete vision loss.

Ask your vet about:

  • DNA test for the PRCD gene variant
  • Annual eye examination by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist
Any age

Obesity [S31][S32][S33][S35]

This condition involves excessive accumulation of body fat that increases strain on joints and shortens life expectancy.

Ask your vet about:

  • Body condition score evaluation
  • DNA panel test for the POMC gene deletion mutation
2 to 5 months of age

Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) [S26][S29]

This inherited muscle disease causes general muscular weakness, awkward movement, and low stamina.

Ask your vet about:

  • DNA mutation test for CNM registered with the OFA
Any age

Otitis Externa [S11][S12]

This is an infection and inflammation of the outer ear canal caused by yeast or bacteria trapped by moisture.

Ask your vet about:

  • Physical otoscopic ear examination
  • Ear cytology swab test

What is a Labrador Retriever's temperament like?

Labradors are friendly, adaptable, and emotionally stable dogs with a strong desire to please. They carry objects in their mouths naturally and interact peacefully with family members and strangers.

[S2][S3][S4][S6][S8][S14][S15]

How much exercise does a Labrador Retriever need?

A Labrador Retriever needs 60 to 120 minutes of exercise a day.

Adult Labradors need daily physical activities like distance walking, jogging, hiking, swimming, and retrieving. They also require daily mental games, scent work, or obedience training to prevent destructive chewing.

  • Energy5 / 5
[S16][S17]

How does a Labrador Retriever handle heat and cold?

A dense, water-repellent double coat gives the breed strong resistance to cold weather and cold water. Dark coats and heavy fur make them vulnerable to heat illness and heatstroke during warm, humid conditions above 20°C to 24°C.

  • Handles heat2 / 5
  • Handles cold5 / 5
[S18][S19][S20][S21]

How much does a Labrador Retriever shed, and how do you groom it?

Brush the coat 1 to 3 times weekly with a slicker brush, de-shedding rake, or rubber curry brush, and increase brushing during seasonal sheds in spring and autumn. Never shave or clip the coat because shaving ruins thermal regulation. Dry and check the drop ears weekly and after every swim.

Short, dense, and straight double coat with a weather-resistant soft undercoat

  • Shedding4 / 5
[S5][S11][S15][S18][S19][S22][S23]

Is a Labrador Retriever good with children and other pets?

The breed displays high patience and affection toward children and lives peacefully with other dogs when socialized. Apartment living requires committed daily exercise outside the home to prevent restlessness and barking.

  • With children5 / 5
  • With other pets4 / 5
  • In an apartment2 / 5
[S4][S16][S24][S25]

Is a Labrador Retriever easy to train?

High working intelligence and an eagerness to please make the Labrador one of the most trainable dog breeds. They excel in service, therapy, search, and retriever work.

  • Ease of training5 / 5
[S3][S24]

What does a Labrador Retriever eat at each life stage?

  • PuppyFeed a formula engineered for large-breed puppies that features balanced calcium and phosphorus levels and controlled caloric density to support slow, steady skeletal growth.
  • AdultProvide an adult maintenance diet with animal protein, controlled calories, and measured portions to sustain an ideal body condition score of 4 to 5 on a 9-point scale.
  • SeniorConsult your veterinarian to adjust dietary intake and manage joint health, monitoring body weight closely to avoid obesity.

Where does the Labrador Retriever come from?

The breed descended from the St. John's water dog in Newfoundland, Canada, where dogs worked with fishermen to retrieve nets and fish. English noblemen imported them to Great Britain during the early-to-mid 19th century to develop waterfowl retrievers. British breeding kennels preserved the breed when heavy dog taxes and quarantine laws nearly caused its extinction in Newfoundland.

Country of origin: Great Britain.

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Fun facts about the Labrador Retriever

  • Around 25 percent of Labrador Retrievers carry a POMC gene deletion that reduces resting metabolic rates and keeps them feeling hungry. [S31][S33]
  • The breed has a distinct 'otter tail' that is thick at the base and covered in dense fur, functioning as a rudder when swimming. [S1][S8][S18]
  • Labradors possess webbing between their toes that provides strong propulsion through the water. [S18]
  • The breed has an inherited 'soft mouth' trait that enables dogs to carry items with enough care to avoid causing damage. [S2][S4]

Tips by life stage and weather

  • PuppyLimit high-impact jumping and repetitive running until growth plates close between 12 and 18 months of age.
  • PuppyIntroduce safe chew toys and objects to carry early to satisfy their natural oral retrieving drive.
  • AdultProvide 60 to 120 minutes of daily physical exercise, including walks, swimming, or games of fetch.
  • AdultMeasure daily food rations strictly to manage weight and prevent excess strain on the joints.
  • SeniorAsk your veterinarian to check hips and elbows for signs of secondary osteoarthritis during regular visits.
  • SeniorSchedule annual eye exams with a veterinary ophthalmologist to monitor vision changes.
  • Hot seasonWalk your dog during cool morning and late evening hours when temperatures rise above 20°C to 24°C.
  • Hot seasonDo not shave the double coat in hot weather because it protects against direct heat and sun exposure.
  • Cold seasonRely on the insulating natural double coat to protect your dog during cold outdoor activities.
  • Cold seasonBrush the undercoat regularly during the autumn shed to keep cold-weather insulation intact.
  • Rainy seasonDry your dog's drop ears completely after rainy walks or outdoor play to prevent otitis externa.
  • Rainy seasonIncorporate indoor scent games and puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation on rainy days.

In the Kiba Vet app, your pet's breed profile shows a tip of the day based on its age and the weather where you live.

This is general guidance. Always ask your vet.

Checked against sources; veterinary review pending. Updated on September 29, 2026.

Written with the help of AI from the cited sources and checked fact by fact against them by a second model.

Sources

Every health fact and every number on this page comes from these sources. Identifiers from Wikidata (CC0).