Labrador Retriever
active / friendly / outgoing
An enthusiastic, sociable retriever who enjoys outdoor adventures and learning alongside their people.
Photo: IDS.photos from Tiverton, UK · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized and cropped. Photo details
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Short dense coat and thick tail; yellow Labradors are not Golden Retrievers. Also documented as: Lab.
The breed at a glance
- Official name
- Labrador Retriever
- Origin / registry attribution
- Great Britain
- AKC origin attribution
- Canada
- Group
- Sporting Group
- Original purpose
- Retrieving and assisting water-based work
- Height
- 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
- Weight
- 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
- Typical lifespan
- 11-13 years
- Coat type
- Double
- Coat length
- Short
- Shedding
- High
- Drooling
- Low
- Barking
- Moderate
- Grooming
- Low
- Exercise needs
- Very high
- Mental stimulation
- High
- Trainability
- Very high
- Children
- Very high
- Other dogs
- Very high
- Cats / small pets
- Individual assessment required; breed suitability unknown
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Low
- First-owner suitability (editorial)
- Very high
- Climate
- Unknown; individual veterinary advice recommended
Measurements, coat facts, and trait ratings: AKC Labrador Retriever breed guide. Origin classifications can differ between registries; both attributions are retained where available. Apartment and first-owner ratings are editorial planning estimates.
Temperament & lifestyle fit
active / friendly / outgoing. These are general breed tendencies; upbringing, age, health and the individual dog matter.
- Energy and exercise
- Very high
- Grooming needs
- Low
- Trainability
- Very high
- Family compatibility: children
- Very high
- Apartment adaptability (editorial)
- Low
Use these ratings to plan your routine, rather than to predict an individual dog’s behavior. Children need supervision and introductions to other pets need individual assessment.
Find breeds that fit your home, activity and care preferences · Understand our source ratings and editorial estimates
A history that shapes daily life
The Labrador traces its roots to Newfoundland working dogs before development in Britain as a sporting retriever. Retrieving and swimming remain common interests, although an individual dog’s interests and capabilities will vary.
History and breed background: AKC Labrador Retriever breed guide.
Coat care & everyday routines
Young Labs can be exuberant. Daily exercise and consistent training matter.
Reported coat colors: Black, Chocolate, Yellow. Color listings reflect the source registry and do not establish health, temperament, or show eligibility.
Plan daily activity and age-appropriate enrichment, a comfortable resting area, gradual alone-time training, and regular preventive care. Choose a routine you can maintain throughout the year.
Coat and care source: AKC Labrador Retriever breed guide.
Health conversations worth having
Reported concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, inherited muscle disorders, and exercise-induced collapse. Discuss breed-specific screening and weight management.
Screening listed by the source breed club
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
- D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test
- Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test
- Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test
Health screening does not guarantee an individual dog will be free of disease. These lists are not a diagnosis or an exhaustive account of possible conditions.
Health source: AKC Labrador Retriever breed guide · Parent breed-club health statement.
A realistic monthly care budget
$165–$330 USD per month · adult-dog planning estimate.
- Food
- $55–$100
- Routine veterinary reserve
- $60–$125
- Parasite prevention
- $20–$40
- Grooming & coat supplies
- $10–$25
- Treats, toys & replacement supplies
- $20–$40
Editorial U.S. adult-dog planning ranges, reviewed October 1, 2026. Routine veterinary care is averaged across the year. Local prices and individual health needs vary. Excludes purchase or adoption, initial supplies, insurance, emergency and specialist care, boarding, daycare, training classes, and pet rent. Sources inform care categories; these breed estimates are not supplier quotes.
AKC: lifetime dog-care costsASPCA: planning for pet-care costs
Sources & research status
- FCI breed nomenclature: Labrador Retriever · checked 2026-10-01
- AKC Labrador Retriever breed guide · checked 2026-10-01
- FCI official breed standard
- Data coverage, editorial estimates, and matching methodology
General breed tendencies do not guarantee individual behavior. Children need supervision; existing pets need careful introductions. Meet the dog and discuss individual health and care needs.