Labrador Retriever Breed Information & Characteristics
Weight Gain Potential
Do Labrador Retrievers get fat easily?
They are known for having a strong tendency to become overweight. It is important to find a balance between providing enough exercise and controlling their food intake. To maintain a healthy weight, it is recommended to increase the frequency and duration of daily walks and to engage in more playtime with the Labrador Retriever.
Hypoallergenic
Are Labrador Retrievers Hypoallergenic?
Unfortunately, the Labrador Retriever is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.
Temperament
What is a Labrador Retriever personality? What are Labrador Retriever dogs best known for?
Affectionate
Cheerful
Friendly
Intelligent
Loyal
Playful
Social
Alert
Energetic
Gentle
Loving
Going
Responsive
Shedding Level
Are Labrador Retrievers heavy shedders? How Much Does a Labrador Retriever Shed?
Labrador Retriever dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Labrador Retriever. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.
Watchdog Ability
What is the watchdog ability of a Labrador Retriever dog?
The Labrador Retriever dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.
Origin
Where do Labrador Retrievers come from?
Canada
Ancestry
What are Labrador Retrievers descended from?
St. John's Water Dog
Breed recognition
What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Labrador Retriever breed?
American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Australian National Kennel Council
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Canadian Canine Registry
Date of Birth
When were Labrador Retrievers first bred? How old is the Labrador Retriever breed?
1800s
Breed Group
What Breed Group is a Labrador Retriever?
Sporting (AKC:1917)
Gun Dog (UKC)
Eye Color Possibilites
What color are Labrador Retriever eyes?
Hazel
Brown
Amber
Nose Color Possibilites
What color can Labrador Retriever nose be naturally?
Black
Brown
Coat Color Possibilites
What color can Labrador Retriever coat be naturally?
Black
Brown
Cream
Coat Length
How long is a Labrador Retrievers coat?
The coat of a Labrador Retriever dog ranges in length from short to medium.
Coat Density
How Dense Is The Labrador Retriever Coat?
Coat Texture
What is the texture of the hair of a Labrador Retriever?
Straight
Litter Size
How many puppies can a Labrador Retriever have in a litter? How many puppies can a Labrador Retriever have in her first litter?
A Labrador Retriever can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.
Adaptability
Labrador Retrievers are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.
Health Issues
Do Labrador Retrievers have a lot of health problems?
The Labrador Retriever is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.
Major Concerns
What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Labrador Retriever?
Gastric Torsion
Elbow Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia
Epilepsy
Osteochondritis Dissecans
Minor Concerns
What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Labrador Retrievers?
Otitis Externa
Cataract
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Occasional Tests
What are the occasional tests recommended for Labrador Retriever breed?
Eye
Hip
Elbow
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination
Ear Examination
Energy
Do Labrador Retrievers have a lot of energy?
Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.
Social Needs
Do Labrador Retrievers need socialization? How social are Labrador Retrievers?
Labrador Retriever have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.
Exercise Needed
How much exercise should Labrador Retrievers get?
The Labrador Retriever needs a high level of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They also make great companions for people who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy running, hiking or other outdoor activities. These breeds are not suitable for people with sedentary lifestyle or those who live in small apartments
Sleeping Need
How much sleep should a Labrador Retriever have? Do Labrador Retrievers sleep a lot?
Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.
Drooling Tendency
Does a Labrador Retriever drool a lot?
The Labrador Retriever is known to be an average drooler among dog breeds. Drooling is the unintentional flow of saliva outside of the mouth and can be a normal characteristic of certain breeds or it can be a sign of a health problem. In the case of the Labrador Retriever, it is a normal part of their physiology, however it is important to keep an eye on the amount of drooling and any changes in drooling patterns, as excessive drooling can be an indication of an underlying health issue and should be checked by a veterinarian.
Tendency to Bark
How much does it bark?
Labrador Retrievers tend to bark moderately, they bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or to communicate something. They may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.
Territorial
Do Labrador Retrievers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?
Labrador Retriever dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs
Mouthiness
Are Labrador Retrievers mouthy?
Roaming urge
What is the likelihood of a Labrador Retriever running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?
Prey Drive
Do Labrador Retriever dogs have a high prey drive?
Past times
What do Labrador Retrievers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Labrador Retriever busy?
Fetch, Tug-of-war, Chase, Dog Parks, Walk, Run, Play, Walking, Cuddling, Exploring, Sniffing, Petting, Running, Boat ride, Swim, Tracking, Chasing, Smelling, Going out, Walks, Frisbee, Road trip, Meeting people, Shake, Swimming, Playdate, Chew, Smell, Walki, Being pet
Activity Level
What is the energy level of a Labrador Retriever? How much energy does a Labrador Retriever have?
Labrador Retrievers are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.
Tolerance of being left alone
Walks per Week
How far should a Labrador Retriever walk each week? How many miles should a Labrador Retriever walk every week?
There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Labrador Retriever, it's at least 15 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.
Activity per Day
How much a Labrador Retriever should exercise a day? How much activity does a Labrador Retriever need?
In general most Labrador Retrievers usually need at least 60 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.
Grooming
What level of grooming should be provided for a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever is a breed of dog that does not require extensive grooming.
Brushing Frequency
How often should you brush a Labrador Retriever?
Ideally, Labrador Retriever should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.
Brushing Tools
What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Labrador Retrievers?
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Cups
How many cups of food does a Labrador Retriever eat?
For an average 65-80 pound (29 - 36 kg) Labrador Retriever feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.
Daily Cost
How Much Does a Labrador Retriever Cost Daily?
The average cost of a Labrador Retriever is somewhere $2.50 - $3.20 per day.
Monthly Cost
How Much Does a Labrador Retriever Cost Per Month?
The average per month expenses of a Labrador Retriever is between $74 - $95. This makes an average of $888 - $1140 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.
Intelligence
How intelligent is a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever breed is considered highly intelligent and very easy to train.
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive is a Labrador Retriever dog?
This dog breed is particularly attuned to its environment and the emotions of those around it. It can be easily overwhelmed by loud noises, new environments, and unfamiliar people or animals. This dog is best suited for individuals or families who are patient, gentle, and understanding of its sensitive nature. It may also benefit from a calm and stable home environment, with a consistent routine and plenty of positive reinforcement training.
Affection Dependance
Are Labrador Retriever dogs affectionate?
Apartment Friendly
Do Labrador Retriever do well in apartments? Are Labrador Retrievers good indoor dogs?
It's not recommended to keep the Labrador Retriever in an apartment, but this breed make good apartment dogs as long as they get to spend a good amount of time outside of the apartment. Labrador Retrievers living in apartments will need plenty of physical exercise and stimulation throughout the day to remain happy and well-behaved.
Child Friendly
Are Labrador Retrievers good with kids? Are Labrador Retrievers good around children?
A Labrador Retrievers typical characteristics indicate that this breed of dog is an ideal companion for kids and makes them family pets. Their gentle and protective nature and calm mentality make them gel along quickly with the younger humans
Senior-friendly
Are Labrador Retrievers good for elderly?
Cat Friendly
Are Labrador Retrievers good with cats? How friendly Labrador Retrievers are toward cats?
Labrador Retrievers are one of the best dogs for cats. They're accept cats readily as part of the family. However, this dog breed should be trained to not chase after the kitty early on
Dog Friendly
Do Labrador Retriever dogs get along with other dogs? Are Labrador Retrievers OK with other dogs?
Labrador Retrievers are very friendly towards other dogs. This breed typically have a happy and affectionate temperament around dogs.
Pet friendly
How do Labrador Retriever dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?
Stranger Friendly
Are Labrador Retrievers friendly with strangers?
Labrador Retrievers are very friendly around strangers.
Playfulness
Do Labrador Retrievers like to play? Are Labrador Retrievers playful?
Labrador Retrievers are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Labrador Retriever for a mellower experience.
Trainability
Are Labrador Retriever easily trained?
The Labrador Retriever is a breed of dog that is known for being very easy to train. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a great choice for both experienced and novice dog owners.
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