Labrador

Everything you need to know about Labradors

: Life Expectancytypically 10+ years
: SheddingShort length with heavy shedding
: SizeLarge

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Labradors are generally active dogs. One difference between a Labrador and a Golden Retriever is that a Labrador coat is short and dense, while a Golden Retriever’s is longer and wavy.

There’s lots of doggy behaviour that comes naturally to all breeds of dog, including Labradors, from digging and chasing to searching and retrieving.

Thinking about giving a Labrador a forever home? Here are some Labrador facts that might help you decide.

Caring for Labradors

Every dog is different with their own personality and needs. Here are some areas to think about when taking care of a Labrador Retriever.

How much exercise does a Labrador need?

Labradors are typically high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They'll need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play.

Labradors are typically high-energy dogs who need lots of exercise to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

They'll need daily walks, plus plenty of time and opportunity to explore, burn energy, and play.

Like all dogs, they will need training and will benefit from daily enrichment.

If you love spending active time outdoors, this breed could be a great match for you.

Things that you need to think about when exercising your Labrador include their:

age
health
personality.

For example, young or growing dogs might need a few shorter walks each day, rather than one long one. Older, injured or ill dogs will have different exercise needs which should be tailored to them based on advice from your vet.

Some dogs will need peaceful walks without many other people or dogs around. Others will enjoy meeting new people and play dates with their furry friends.

Check with your vet if you need advice on exercising your dog.

How much food does a Labrador need?

The amount of food a Labrador needs depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

You can use the information on dog food packets as a g...

The amount of food a Labrador needs depends on their:

age
size
activity levels
fitness
weight.

You can use the information on dog food packets as a guide, taking your dog’s individual needs into account.

Your dog's body condition is helpful for deciding how much food to give your dog. You can find more about body condition scoring from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). If you’re not sure, ask your vet for advice.

How much grooming does a Labrador need?

Although Labradors have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to groom your Labrador occasionally.

To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a tim...

What size crate do you need for a Labrador?

When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to:

sit and stand up at their full height
turn around without touching the sides
lie down fully stretched out
comfortabl...

Health issues

Before you give any type of Labrador a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Not every dog will suffer them but it’s good to be prepared.

To find out more about potential health issues for L...

Before you give any type of Labrador a home, it’s important to know about possible health issues. Not every dog will suffer them but it’s good to be prepared.

To find out more about potential health issues for Labradors, speak to your local vet. Some vet practices offer ‘pre-purchase consultations’ where you can get advice on potential health conditions, management options and a rough idea of associated costs.

If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, they’ll also be able to give you advice on finding a responsible breeder, as well as testing for inheritable diseases.

Whatever the breed, all dogs need basic preventative health care like vaccinations and flea and worming treatments. You’ll also need insurance to help cover the cost of vet bills.

Labrador crossbreeds

One popular Labrador crossbreed is the Labradoodle. This is a mix between a Labrador and a Poodle and Labradoodle colours include silver, cream, black and chocolate. Labradoodle size is typically large.

Labrador behaviour and training

Even if you think you know about Labradors, it’s important to remember that every dog has their own personality.

Are Labradors easy to train?

You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! It’s all about positive learning. Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Whether it’s small food treats, toys or lots of praise, tra...

As dogs are clever animals, they need suitable mental and physical exercise so that they don't get bored. Learning useful life skills such as recall, loose lead walking and settling are just as important. This ensures that you and your dog can spend enjoyable time together, both at home and out and about.

What’s the temperament of a Labrador?

Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So, every Labrador temperament is different.

As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop th...

Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So, every Labrador temperament is different.

As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develop their own likes and dislikes and learn to respond to situations in different ways.

For example, some dogs might like meeting other dogs and some may not. Some might like new experiences and others may need to go slowly.

Are Labradors good with children?

Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. They’ll have their own likes and dislikes and will respond to situations in different ways. However, there are som...