Labrador Retriever

Good to know

• Natural swimmers: bred to retrieve in cold water, they have a water-resistant double coat and a thick "otter" tail they use like a rudder.
• Born retrievers: many love to fetch and carry things in their mouths, and this is great to channel into play.
• Shedding: they shed year-round, with heavier seasonal shedding, so weekly brushing helps.
• Energetic and eager: they need plenty of daily exercise and enjoy training, and are typically friendly with people and other dogs.
• Food-motivated: their love of food makes treat-based training easy, but portions need watching.

Getting out with a Labrador Retriever

They need daily exercise beyond a stroll: longer trails, games of fetch and time to run at the park.

Common health considerations

Inherited conditions to ask your vet about

• Hip/elbow dysplasia
• Obesity gene (POMC)
• Exercise-induced collapse

Common issues

• Obesity
• Joint issues
• Ear infections

Bloat (GDV) risk: moderate. A swollen belly with retching but nothing coming up is an emergency: go to a vet straight away.

Not every Labrador Retriever will have these. Good breeders screen for inherited conditions, and your vet can advise on testing and check-ups.

Explore more breeds in the Sporting group