Labrador Retriever

Coat and looks how to spot one

short double coat

A short, close and dense outer coat with a firm feel and no feathering, over a soft undercoat that keeps out wet and cold. The thick, rounded 'otter' tail, broad at the base and tapering to the tip, is one of the breed's signature features, and the paws are well webbed for swimming.142

Personality what they are like

An even-tempered, sociable dog that tends to greet everyone as a friend. Labradors are bright, willing learners that enjoy having a job to do, and the breed standards stress a kind, outgoing nature with neither aggression nor timidity. Playful and energetic, they usually settle well at home once their exercise needs are met.1452

Daily activity how busy a day looks

High. The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day. Walks, runs, hikes, fetch and especially swimming suit them well, along with training games that use the brain. Dogs from field lines generally want more activity than those from show lines.352

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Low effort. A weekly brush is usually enough, with extra brushing during the seasonal moults when the undercoat sheds heavily. The coat is naturally water resistant, so baths are only needed occasionally.35

Home where they are happiest

Adapts to town or country homes as long as there is daily outdoor exercise. A secure garden and access to safe water for swimming are big bonuses. Labs do best living indoors as part of the family.53

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced dog food in measured portions. Labradors are famously food-motivated and gain weight easily, so treats should be counted in the daily allowance. Puppies benefit from a food formulated for large-breed growth.52

Company who they like around

Very people-oriented and happiest with plenty of company. They usually get along well with children, visitors, other dogs and household pets. Reward-based training, often with food or a retrieve as the reward, works very well.54

The story where it all began

The breed's roots lie on the coast of Newfoundland, where fishermen worked with the St. John's water dog, a hardy black swimmer that hauled in nets and lines. In the early 1800s British sportsmen, including the Earl of Malmesbury, the Dukes of Buccleuch and the Earls of Home, imported these dogs and bred them as shooting retrievers. By the 1880s the three families were cooperating to keep the line going, and the dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned are counted among the ancestors of today's Labradors. It was the Earl of Malmesbury who gave the breed its name. The Kennel Club recognised the Labrador in 1903, the first breed club followed in 1916 and the Yellow Labrador Club in 1925, while the AKC registered its first Lab in 1917. Early fame came from success at field trials, and the breed later became a favourite family pet as well as a leading guide, assistance, detection and search-and-rescue dog.2136

Recognised by the official bits

FCI

Standard no. 122, Group 8 Retrievers, Flushing dogs, Water dogs; Section 1 Retrievers (with working trial). Country of origin Great Britain; current standard published 16.06.2022.1

The Royal Kennel Club

Listed as 'Retriever (Labrador)' in the Gundog group; first recognised by the Kennel Club in 1903.3

AKC

Sporting Group; first AKC registration in 1917. Current standard approved 12 Feb 1994, effective 31 Mar 1994.4

Popularity 2nd most popular breed in the United States (AKC registrations), after the French Bulldog7