Labrador Retriever

Origin and History

The Labrador Retriever was developed from hardworking dogs that helped fishermen in the Newfoundland region of Canada, retrieving nets and game from the water. Thanks to its superb sense of smell, eagerness to learn and balanced temperament, today it is one of the most widely used working breeds in the world as a guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, detection dog and therapy dog.

Appearance and Coat

It has a large, athletic and well-balanced body, a friendly expression and a characteristic thick "otter" tail. Its short, dense, water-resistant double coat is black, yellow or chocolate. It is easy to care for but sheds moderately to heavily, especially during seasonal changes.

Temperament and Personality

The Labrador is extremely friendly, sociable and devoted to people. It gets along wonderfully with children and other animals; with its patient and gentle nature, it is not prone to aggression. Thanks to its exceptional intelligence and eagerness to please, it is one of the easiest breeds to train. It is energetic and playful, especially loving water and fetch games, and stays exuberant even in adulthood.

Care, Exercise and Training

Its double coat should be brushed several times a week. Because of its high energy, it needs at least 1-2 hours of exercise, swimming and play a day. Since its appetite is very strong, it is markedly prone to obesity; portion control is a must. With its intelligence and eagerness to learn, it adapts superbly to training.

Health

Some hereditary conditions in the Labrador are scientifically well documented. Foremost among them is hip/elbow dysplasia. In addition, exercise-induced collapse (EIC — a DNA test is available), progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and an appetite-related predisposition to obesity (a POMC gene mutation in some individuals) are seen. Responsible breeders screen hips, elbows and eyes; ideal weight management is critical.

Who Is It For?

The Labrador is ideal for families and homes with children looking for a friendly, trainable and active family dog, who can give it plenty of exercise and time. It is also an extremely suitable, easygoing breed for first-time dog owners.