Labrador Retriever

A retriever in the middle of family life

The Labrador’s ancestors helped fishermen in Newfoundland retrieve lines and nets from the water. The breed was later developed in Britain to retrieve game. Many Labradors still enjoy carrying things around the house and take readily to search and retrieve games. If your dog appears with a shoe, chasing it can turn into a game. Teach a calm exchange for a toy or treat instead, and reward the dog for letting go. Working lines are bred with particular emphasis on retrieving ability for hunting work. Dogs from these lines may have especially high stamina and drive. When choosing a puppy, it is worth asking about the parents’ daily lives.

Day-to-day care

The short coat looks easy to manage, but beneath the firmer outer hair lies the undercoat, a dense layer of shorter hairs. The UK veterinary charity PDSA says a thorough weekly brush is usually enough. Considerably more hair comes loose during seasonal shedding, so more frequent brushing may help.

After swimming, you can gently pat the ear flaps dry. Repeated head shaking, an unpleasant smell or redness should be checked by a vet. Body shape matters too: you should be able to feel the ribs beneath a light layer of fat. Training treats count towards the day’s food, particularly with a Labrador eager to work for another reward.

Health

Hip and elbow dysplasia mean that the affected joints do not develop properly. This can cause pain and lasting joint damage. Labradors are also prone to gaining excess weight, which puts more strain on their joints. Regular weight checks with your vet practice can help you notice a gain early.

Progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA, is an inherited eye condition. The light-sensitive cells of the retina gradually die. The retina is the layer at the back of the eye that receives light, and owners often first notice that their dog sees less well in the dark.

Another inherited condition is exercise-induced collapse, or EIC. Affected dogs can develop leg weakness and collapse during intense activity. If your Labrador becomes unsteady while running or playing, you should stop the activity straight away and seek veterinary advice. Even if your dog recovers quickly, the cause needs to be investigated.

For breeding dogs, the Royal Kennel Club in the UK recommends hip, elbow and eye screening. It also recommends DNA tests for specific inherited conditions, including EIC and a form of PRA called prcd-PRA. Before buying a puppy, you should ask to see both parents’ written results and have them explained. It is also worth asking whether their close relatives have had joint problems or episodes of sudden weakness after intense activity.

Lifespan

A UK study combining data from breed registries, veterinary practices, insurers and other sources included 43,428 dogs of this breed. It estimated median survival at about 13.1 years. At that age, about half the group was still alive according to the estimate. This cannot predict how long an individual dog will live.

Could this breed fit your life?