Labrador Retriever

Breed overview

The Labrador Retriever, also known simply as the Labrador or Lab, is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from St. John's water dogs imported from the Colony of Newfoundland, and was named after the Labrador region in that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the Western world. Labradors are often friendly, energetic and playful. It was bred as a sporting and hunting dog, but is widely kept as a companion dog. Though content as a companion, these dogs are intelligent and require both physical and mental stimulation. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog, or for rescue or therapy work.

• Breed classification: RetrieverBreed reference breed group.
• Breed classification: Gun dogBreed reference breed group.
• Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.
• Country of origin: United KingdomBreed reference country of origin.
• Country of origin: CanadaBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• The Labrador breed dates back to at least the 1830s, when St John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset.
• Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland, with Charles William George St John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland.
• Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer, more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland.
• Hawker distinguishes the Newfoundland from both the "proper Labrador" and St John's breed of these dogs in the fifth edition of his book Instructions to Young Sportsmen, published in 1846.
• By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever had become common in England.

Size and appearance

There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred (bench-bred) lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard. Significant differences between UK and US standards are noted. The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC.

• Body mass reference: 24.948 - 31.751 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 55 - 70 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: 29.484 - 36.287 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 65 - 80 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 54 - 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 54 - 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: Up to 56 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
• Height reference: 54 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
• Height reference: 56 - 57 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 56 - 57 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: Up to 57 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
• Height reference: 56 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: short
• Height category: tall
• Height category: medium
• Weight category: medium
• Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.03 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.70 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.62 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.59 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.11 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.08 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.27 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.62 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.07 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.51 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.42 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.40 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.66 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.81 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Labrador Retriever.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat layers: double
• Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

A UK study found the breed's average life expectancy to be 13.1 years. A joint study by the Royal Veterinary College study and the University of Sydney concluded that chocolate-coloured Labradors have a shorter average life expectancy than other colours of Labrador (by about 10%) and are more likely to suffer some health problems. A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 11 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.

• Lifespan reference: 10 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

The Labrador breed dates back to at least the 1830s, when St John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Its early patrons included the Earl of Malmesbury, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Home and Sir John Scott. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland, with Charles William George St John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer, more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland.

Clubs and further reading

• Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
• Labrador Retriever - article and references

Sources

1. Labrador Retriever - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Labrador Retriever, revision 1376768803. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Labrador_Retriever&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:Labrador on Quantock (2175262184).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 2.0. Labrador on Quantock (2175262184).jpg - IDS.photos from Tiverton, UK. CC BY-SA 2.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Labrador_on_Quantock_(2175262184).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.