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11 – 13 years
55 – 80 lbs
21 – 25 inches
Yes
Personality:
Outgoing, eager, full of energy, adventurous
Common Health Problems:
Elbow and hip dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, obesity
The eager, fun-loving Labrador retriever remains one of the United States’ most popular dog breeds.1 A typical member of this breed stands anywhere between 21 to 25 inches and can weigh between 55 pounds and 80 pounds. Their short but thick coats come in a variety of colors, but it’s their strong, active, and “ready-for-anything” attitude that makes a Lab a household favorite.
Labrador retrievers have a beautifully thick, water-repellent double coat. There are only three official colors you can find:1
Labrador retrievers have medium-length, floppy ears that can trap moisture and wax. This creates a moist environment that bacteria love, which can lead to ear infections. Pet parents should regularly clean their dog’s ears with a vet-recommended ear cleaner every two to three weeks.2
Labrador retrievers shed often, so they’ll need to be brushed two to three times a week to remove excess fur. You should give your Lab a bath with high-quality shampoo occasionally to keep their coats healthy. You should also keep your dog's nails clipped and teeth brushed regularly to prevent infection and disease.2
Labs aren't known to be heavy droolers; however, they do drool if they’re excited.
Labrador Retriever: Personality Traits
What My Adoption Bio Would Say:
No matter what happens, I’m just happy to support my human friends. After all, I’m called “man’s best friend” for a reason — I’m ready to join a family who loves to run, jump, and play all year round!
Labrador retrievers are known for their high energy and athleticism. They love the water and are highly affectionate, which makes them a great fit for families with children. They are also smart and eager to please. Their temperaments are one of the reasons they’re so popular.
Labrador retrievers also have a tendency to eat things they shouldn’t, so pet parents need to keep a watchful eye on them, especially when they’re puppies.2
Labrador retrievers are very intelligent dogs who are eager to please their pet parent, making for easy, successful training.
Labs have an extreme amount of energy and need a significant amount of daily activity. You should expect to spend at least an hour each day exercising your Lab so they are happy and on their best behavior. Whether it be playing fetch or a long walk, there are many ways to get their hour of play time in.
Consider giving your Labrador retriever a job to do, like volunteering at children’s hospitals for pets and snuggles or running an agility course. Labs make great working dogs because of their exceptional abilities to hunt and track game.1 Invest in training classes that will engage their mind and you’ll surely be rewarded.
Labrador retrievers are fabulous family dogs who are excited to participate in all household activities. They must be a part of their “pack” at all times. They’ll enjoy spending time with your children whether on a car ride or simply watching television.
Labs are generally friendly and non-aggressive toward all animals. Take the time to socialize your pets with slow, supervised introductions until you are sure the two (or three, or more) animals will get along without you.
As hunting dogs, Labrador retrievers can be very vocal if pet parents don’t nip it in the bud early. Positive reinforcement training is necessary to teach your pup when to bark, who to bark at, and when barking isn’t okay.
Because Labrador retrievers are such a popular breed, they are costly if you want to purchase one from a reputable breeder, and the cost varies depending on where you are. You can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000.3 It will likely cost much less if you find one to adopt.
Because they are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect to pay more to care for them over the course of their life than small dogs. The lifetime costs of a medium dog typically range from $35,415 to $43,285. This includes things like vet visits, food, prescription meds, and more.4
Your Lab should be seen by a veterinarian for routine check-ups to keep them healthy. Even though these are generally healthy dogs, Labrador retrievers may experience a variety of health issues, including:1,2
Treating common Labrador retriever health issues can be a costly proposition. Here’s what it costs on average to treat some of the most popular diseases.
Medical Issue | Average Treatment Cost |
Ear infection | $8505 |
Cancer | $3,200 – $8,0005 |
Heart disease | $1,100 – $2,5005 |
Foreign body emergency surgery | $1,600 – $5,0005 |
MetLife Pet Insurance could help you cover some of the costs of treating these issues. You can learn more about our Labrador retriever insurance here.
Hailing from Newfoundland, Labrador retriever dogs were bred to assist farmers and fishermen bringing in fish. A Lab’s coat is perfect for the ice-cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean by repelling the water, unlike their fancier cousin — the Golden retriever — whose long coat freezes in the snow. Their coat and “otter tail” caught the eyes of 19th-century British, Canadian, and American dog enthusiasts who worked together to perfect the breed.1
Today, Labrador retrievers can be found all over Europe and North America in households as family dogs, as working dogs on farms, as search and rescue dogs for police forces, and even working in hospitals as service dogs. A Lab’s high-energy, loving personality will ensure that they’ll stick around for decades to come.
There are dog enthusiasts across the country who’ve taken advantage of the Labrador retriever’s healthy breeding and great personality, so you’ll find Lab mixed with virtually every breed out there. Here are some of the most popular mixes:6
Keep in mind that the American Kennel Club (AKC) doesn’t recognize the majority of so-called “designer breeds.” You’ll have to ask the breeder a lot of questions to make sure any puppy you buy doesn't have major health problems.
