Labrador Retriever: Temperament, Size, Lifespan & Care

Labrador temperament and personality

The AKC calls Labs famously friendly, companionable housemates that bond with the whole family and get along with neighbor dogs and people alike. The AKC rates the breed five out of five for affection, openness to strangers and playfulness, which is why so many Labs greet burglars and guests with equal delight.

Do not mistake that easygoing nature for low energy. The AKC describes the Lab as an enthusiastic athlete that needs plenty of exercise, and it was bred to retrieve all day. Most Labs stay playful and puppyish for years, which is part of their appeal and part of the work. A few sturdy toys for Labradors give that energy somewhere to go.

How big do Labrador Retrievers get?

According to the AKC, males stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 65 to 80 pounds, and females stand 21.5 to 23.5 inches and weigh 55 to 70 pounds. The dense, hard coat comes in three colors: yellow, black and chocolate.

Labs keep filling out through their second year. Because the breed is so prone to weight gain, many pet Labs drift above those ranges. You should be able to feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat and see a waist from above. If you cannot, ask your vet for a target weight.

Labrador lifespan and common health issues

The AKC gives a Labrador Retriever lifespan of 11 to 13 years. VCA says Labs are prone to weight gain, which worsens joint disease, so keeping a Lab lean is one of the most useful things you can do for its long-term health and mobility.

The AKC says responsible breeders screen for hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disorders, hereditary myopathy and eye conditions including progressive retinal atrophy, and that a DNA test identifies carriers of exercise-induced collapse. Like other deep-chested dogs, Labs can develop bloat. VCA lists restlessness, drooling, retching without bringing anything up and a swollen belly as signs; that is an emergency, so call a vet immediately. Ask breeders for hip, elbow, eye and DNA results on both parents.

Exercise needs

The AKC calls the Lab an exuberant, very energetic breed that needs lots of exercise every day, and warns that an under-exercised Lab is likely to become hyperactive or destructive. A long walk plus a game of fetch is a typical minimum for a healthy adult.

Retrieving and swimming are the breed's favorite activities, and both are gentle on joints. Many Labs also enjoy agility, obedience, tracking and dock diving. With puppies, keep play free and varied rather than long forced runs while the joints are still growing, and ask your vet when jogging can start.

Grooming and shedding

The Lab has a thick, water-repellent double coat that sheds, and the AKC rates shedding four out of five. Expect a steady flow of hair year round, with heavier sheds a couple of times a year. A weekly brush, more often during a shed, keeps it manageable.

Bathe only occasionally, as the AKC suggests, because frequent washing strips the coat's natural oils. Trim nails regularly and brush the teeth often. Labs that swim are prone to ear trouble, so dry the ears afterward and ask your vet about head shaking or a smell from the ears.

Training a Labrador

Labs are among the easiest breeds to train; the AKC rates trainability five out of five. Because they are strong and energetic, the AKC calls early socialization and puppy classes vital. Gently exposing a puppy to many people, places and situations between about 7 weeks and 4 months helps it grow into a well-mannered adult.

Food is a powerful motivator, so use tiny treats or part of the daily meal as rewards to protect the waistline. Teach loose-leash walking, a calm sit for greetings and a solid drop-it early. Retrieving games make excellent rewards for a dog that was bred to carry things.

Are Labs good with kids and other pets?

Very often, yes. The AKC rates the Lab five out of five with young children and with other dogs, and VCA describes them as typically excellent with children. Their gentle mouths and patient nature make them a classic family dog.

Size and enthusiasm are the risks. A bouncy adolescent Lab can knock over a toddler or a frail adult, so teach calm greetings and supervise early meetings. Most Labs live happily with cats when introduced carefully as puppies, but always give the cat an escape route.

What a Labrador needs at home

Think durable and food-proof. Useful kit includes a well-fitted harness and leash, a crate sized for the adult, a supportive bed that can be washed, tough chew toys, balls and retrieving toys, and a lidded trash can. A slow-feeder bowl or puzzle feeder slows down a dog that inhales meals.

A deshedding brush, nail clippers and an ear cleaner your vet suggests cover grooming. A fenced yard helps but does not replace walks. Book a vet visit soon after bringing your Lab home to discuss vaccines, target weight and when to spay or neuter.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.