Labrador Retriever
Family: gundog, retriever
Area of origin: Canada
Original function: water retrieving
Average size of male: Ht: 22.5-24.5, Wt: 65-80
Average size of female: Ht: 21.5-23.5, Wt: 55-70
Other names: none
Labrador Retriever Dog Temperament
Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as the Labrador retriever. Devoted, obedient and amiable, the Lab is good with children, other dogs and other pets. He will be a calm house dog, playful yard dog and intense field dog, all on the same day. He is eager to please, enjoys learning and excels in obedience. He is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. He needs daily physical and mental challenges to keep him occupied, however; a bored Lab can get into trouble.
Labrador Retriever Dog Care
Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Labrador parents with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dog. The Lab coat sheds water easily and needs weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Labs are much happier indoors with their family.
Labrador Retriever Dog Health
Major concerns: CHD, gastric torsion, retinal dysplasia/skeletal dwarfism, muscular dystrophy, elbow dysplasia
Minor concerns: cataract, OCD, CPRA, pyotraumatic dermatitis
Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis
Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye
Life span: 10-12 years
