Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever Breed Information

Labrador Retrievers are amongst a group of breeds classed as ‘Category Two’ by The Kennel Club. These are breeds of dog that have been highlighted as having ‘points of concern’ – visible features which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future and cause health and welfare concerns.

Labrador Retrievers are a member of the ‘Gundog’ breed group. Dogs in the Gundog group were originally trained to find live game and retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. The group is divided into four categories: Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers and Setters.

Labradors are devoted, affectionate, loving dogs. They’re obedient, quick to learn and eager to please. Training should be rewarding and enjoyable for them and you. It’s important to always use positive reward-based training techniques and seek professional guidance on training when needed. Labradors, particularly those from working dog lines will need training to fulfil their desire to work and retrieve.

Labradors make perfect family pets, given the right socialisation, as with all breeds. They usually bond well with the whole family and are affectionate and loving. Grooming is very simple, with a weekly brush usually enough to keep the coat in tip-top condition.

Breed-related health problems

Owners are, understandably, upset when their dog develops a health problem linked to its breed. Often, they wish they’d known what problems the breed was prone to have. The potential health problems that Labrador Retrievers are prone to include:

• Hip dysplasia – hip joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Elbow dysplasia - elbow joint laxity as a result of poor development, which will eventually lead to arthritis.
• Prone to obesity.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – gradual deterioration (becoming progressively worse) of the retina of the eye. Symptoms can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness.

For some conditions, there are screening programmes available through the British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Kennel Club. The Canine Health Schemes allow breeders to screen for a range of inherited diseases, so it’s a good idea to check the parents of any puppy you’re looking to rehome have been screened under these schemes. We’d also recommend discussing the medical history of your potential puppy’s parents and grandparents and think very carefully before taking on a dog with any of the health conditions listed above evident in the family line.

You can find out more about the Canine Health Schemes on the BVA's website.

Exercise requirements

Full of energy, Labradors need a lot of exercise and mental enrichment each day to keep them physically fit and mentally fulfilled. This can include a mix of walking, running, retrieving, playing, sniffing/searching and swimming. It’s important to tailor this to each individual dog so if your Labrador suffers from arthritis for example, it’s important to get tailored advice from your vet about how much is appropriate for them.

Estimated lifetime cost

The likely lifetime costs for a Labrador Retriever are based on estimates calculated using current market prices and include:

• Initial costs of the purchase of the pet
• Neutering
• First vaccinations and booster vaccinations
• Microchipping
• Accessories
• Food
• Pet insurance
• Toys
• Grooming
• Worming
• Flea treatments

The list above does not include veterinary costs if your pet becomes sick or injured, so these average lifetime costs could be even higher.

Insure your Labrador Retriever with PDSA

One in three pets need vet treatment each year and vet bills can come to hundreds of pounds. PDSA Pet Insurance can help give you some peace of mind when your pet is poorly, especially for breeds like Labrador Retrievers that are prone to certain conditions. PDSA Pet Insurance offers:

• Dog and cat insurance policies from eight weeks of age.
• 24/7 veterinary advice online or over the phone.
• Manage your policy online with the PDSA Insure Hub.
• Monthly payment at no extra cost.

By insuring your Labrador Retriever with PDSA Pet Insurance, you’ll also be helping to provide vet care to some of the UK’s neediest pets. Every dog insurance policy sold contributes to our life-saving work.

For more information on taking care of your dog please visit our puppies and dogs section.

Rehoming from a reputable source:

Where you get a dog from can have a big effect on how healthy and happy it is for the rest of its life. Find out where our PDSA vet experts recommend you get your dog from.

Not sure if the Labrador Retriever is the right pet for you?