The UK's favourite breed has come a long way from its hard-working Canadian roots, but today's Labrador still makes a reliable working dog because the breed is active, eager and easy to train. We can see why this highly intelligent breed is so popular, and for a good-natured family pet, the Labrador is a sensible choice.
Facts & advice
Labrador
An easy-going, loyal and affectionate companion always eager to please
Vital stats
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| 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 playful and intelligent, with a warm, friendly temperament that makes them ideal for first-time owners.
- 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
Smart and highly energetic, Labradors need the right amount of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and well, with at least two hours of exercise daily.
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
There are certain health conditions that affect Labradors more frequently than other dog breeds. We’ve outlined some of our recent claims data to help you understand some of the health issues we see more in Labradors than in other dog breeds. If you’re buying a puppy, you can increase your chances of having a happy and healthy dog by choosing a reputable Labrador breeder.
Like all dogs, Labradors are susceptible to various forms of skin problems, often involving the skin within the ear. The ear canal can become irritated by objects such as grass seeds, or by parasites, allergies or infections. This can lead to a condition called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal'. It causes an intense itch, leading the dog to shake its head, flap its ears and scratch them using its back paws. If the otitis is due to an allergy, treatment is required for the lifetime of the dog.
Elbow dysplasia is most common in larger breeds of dog and is often hereditary. This painful condition develops when the bones that form the elbow joint develop abnormalities in the cartilage that lines the surface of the joint or structures around it. As the dog grows, the condition worsens and often leads to arthritis. While controlled exercises and keeping the dog at a healthy weight can help, long-term treatment or surgery will be required to keep the dog active.
Like all dogs, Labradors can develop masses (lumps and bumps) in the layers of fat, skin and muscle that cover their bodies. These might be warts, cysts, abscesses, lipomas or tumours, such as mast cell tumours. Mast cells are normal skin cells that help dogs respond to trauma and damage by releasing histamine. However, these cells can sometimes replicate into a serious type of tumour called a mast cell tumour. They vary widely in size and shape, but most take the form of a solitary lump within the skin. Lipomas are benign (non-cancerous), slow-growing fatty lumps. Generally, treatment depends on the size, location and exact nature of the lump, but almost always involves surgical removal.
Labradors are prone to developing arthritis. Arthritis means ‘inflammation of the joint’. It can occur due to wear and tear, injuries or abnormal joint development. Arthritis can manifest as stiffness (especially after lying down), reluctance to exercise or going up or down stairs and steps. Whilst many forms of arthritis cannot be cured, they can be managed using weight control, anti-inflammatories and even stem-cell therapies. Long-term treatment, and sometimes even surgery, may be indicated.
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
Labradors are considered to be heavy shedders, and will shed throughout the year. Labradors also tend to have heavy seasonal sheds around spring and autumn – something known as “blowing coat”. There’s nothing you can do to stop your dog from shedding, but regular brushing will help to remove any loose fur and keep your Labrador’s coat in tip-top condition.
Active and intelligent, Labradors need at least 2 hours of exercise per day. Labradors’ Gundog heritage means that the breed is instinctively energetic and always ready to go. However, this active breed can overdo it if you’re not careful and they are prone to joint issues. Swimming can be a great low-impact form of exercise and is something that comes naturally to Labradors.
Gentle and affectionate, Labradors are one of the UK’s most popular family pets for good reason. Their even tempers and patient nature means that Labradors tend to be good with children. However, Labradors also have a tendency to forget their size and can be overly excitable when playing meaning they are often better suited to families with slightly older children. As with any breed, Labradors should always be supervised when around children to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.
As they are so sociable and friendly, Labradors thrive on attention and love to be in the heart of their family. This means they can be prone to separation anxiety and don’t tolerate being left alone for too long. If you do have to leave your Labrador alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied and consider having someone come to check in on them.
Labradors are not generally considered to be aggressive and have famously gentle, affectionate natures. In fact, Labradors are a popular choice for a family pet, due to their kind and playful spirit. The breed tends to get on well with people and other animals alike and they’re always ready to make new friends.
Whilst Labradors are often considered to be slow or goofy, their Gundog history makes them quite the opposite. Labradors are intelligent, easy to please and quick learners meaning they are highly trainable. Once they’ve mastered the basics, Labradors will love to keep learning new tricks to keep their mind active and alert. Food is an excellent motivator for Labradors, but make sure you don’t overdo it on the treats to avoid any unhealthy weight gain.
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Labrador insurance considerations
Labradors can be prone to suffering from genetic disorders like elbow dysplasia, which can lead to arthritis. As these conditions are lifelong, it’s important that when choosing dog insurance, that you check for any limits in your cover and understand how long conditions will be covered for.
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy
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).
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