
An easy-going, loyal and affectionate companion always eager to please
Vital stats
Swipe to view more
Size: | Large |
Coat: | Short and smooth, requires weekly grooming |
Exercise | 2+ hours a day |
Life span: | 10-12 years |
Breed group: | Gundog |
Temperament: | Easy-going, loyal, affectionate |
Labrador temperament & personality

- Labradors are easy-going, rewarding pets with high energy levels, meaning they love extra attention and exercise.
- They make excellent companions, as well as assistance dogs due to their sensitive and affectionate nature.
- Labradors do well with both sole owners or as a part of a family, and get on well with children and other pets.
- They are energetic, mostly placid, and cope well with the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Labrador training & exercise

Training tips
- Intelligent and eager to please, Labs relish the chance to learn and are quick to pick up commands.
- This affable breed responds best to positive reinforcement methods and will respond to your tone of voice. Since life is a game for these big, affable dogs, they respond well to upbeat training methods using your voice and positive reinforcement.
- Labradors are highly social by nature and letting your pet run free with other dogs in a safe environment will give them a great workout, as well as mental stimulation. However good recall training is a must to keep them safe.
Game ideas
- Harking back to their retriever breeding, Labradors love a game of fetch and will happily keep fetching for as long as you throw!
Keeping them happy
- Labradors thrive in company and adore extra attention and playing games with their owners. If you’re going to be away from your pet for a few hours, make sure to leave them stimulating dog toys and arrange for someone to check in with them.
- Many Labradors are happiest when they have something to gnaw on, so dog-safe chew toys are a great investment.
Exercise
- Make sure your pet doesn’t overdo it when exercising, as Labradors can often get carried away – especially during their puppy years when their joints and bones are still growing.
- Labradors love the water and as natural born swimmers this is a great form of exercise for older dogs or dogs with joint issues.
Common Labrador health conditions

Labrador grooming

Labradors have a short and smooth coat which can come in yellow, chocolate or black. Although their fur is sleek and easy to take care of, they can be prone to shedding.
- Weekly grooming with a comb or bristle brush, and bathing when needed, can help keep shedding under control.
- It might be worth brushing your dog daily when they’re shedding to ensure you get rid of the loose hair. You may want to invest in a good quality vacuum.
- Always examine their body and look for parasites or skin lumps.
- It’s worth checking their eyes for any redness or discharge, and their ears for black or brown wax and a strange smell.
- Brush your Labrador’s teeth regularly to prevent tooth or gum disease. It’s a good idea to introduce this as a part of your puppy’s routine early, as it’ll help familiarise them with the process.
Labrador nutrition

Keeping an eye on your Labrador's weight is crucial to their health, especially as they can be prone to gaining a few extra pounds.
- The right balance of calories, protein, minerals and vitamins is important for your Labrador puppy.
- Vets recommend that Labrador puppies receive dog food that's specially formulated for a fast-growing large breed, which can help prevent joint disease as they develop.
- An adult Labrador Retriever should be fed two portions of high-quality pet food a day. If in doubt, follow the recommended amount on their food packaging and try to keep food rewards and treats to a minimum.
What to know before you buy or rehome a Labrador

Considering buying or rehoming a Labrador Retriever? Before you find a puppy or adopt a Labardor, here are a few important things to remember.
- This highly intelligent breed is great for young and older pet parents, as they easily adapt and tend to have a balanced temperament.
- Even though Labradors have short and smooth coats they are prone to shedding, so may not be the best choice for people with allergies.
- Labrador Retrievers were bred as working dogs so they are energetic and extremely active both in body and mind. So remember that adult dogs will need at least two hours of exercise per day, including mental stimulation.
- Like all dogs you will need to ensure they are well-socialised as puppies and trained. This will help your Labrador get along well with you and others, including other pets.
- It’s important to get your Labrador puppy from a reputable breeder so you can meet the puppy’s mum and check she has the temperament you’re looking for. ‘Lucy’s Law’ dictates that new puppies or kittens must be bought directly from a breeder or adopted from rescue. Third party sellers are now illegal.
- Like all breeds, Labradors can suffer from a range of health conditions, and joint conditions like elbow or hip dysplasia are particularly common in the breed. A reputable breeder will be able to provide proof of genetic testing, like hip and elbow scores, for both parents to help you choose a healthy dog.
Labrador frequently asked questions
Discover some of the most popular dog breeds
Labrador insurance considerations
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
Petplan is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England No. 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England No. 84638), Registered office: 57 Ladymead, Guildford, Surrey GU1 1DB.
Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Financial Services Register No. 311969. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Register No. 121849. Pet Plan Limited is a subsidiary of Allianz Insurance plc. Fitz All Media Limited is an Appointed Representative of Pet Plan Limited.