Labrador Retriever
Born to retrieve, built to befriend.
- Weight
- 55–80 lbs
- Height
- 21–24 in
- Lifespan
- 11–13 yrs
In short
The Labrador Retriever is a sporting-group retriever bred from Newfoundland water dogs to recover fish and waterfowl, weighing 55–80 lbs and standing 21–24 in tall, with a friendly, eager and highly trainable temperament. It needs 60–90 minutes of daily exercise, regular swimming or fetch, and strict portion control to prevent obesity.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want an eager, food-driven dog that's easy to train
- love swimming, fetch or long hikes
- have a busy household with kids or other dogs
Think twice if you…
- can't give it 60–90 minutes of exercise a day
- leave food on counters or can't manage weight
- don't want hair on clothes and furniture
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 110–145 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10
EnergyActive7.5/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingSheds seasonally6.5/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Otter tail
A thick, tapering tail acts as a rudder when swimming and clears a coffee table in one sweep.
-
02
Webbed paws
Partial webbing between the toes gives strong swimming power on water retrieves.
-
03
Water-shedding coat
The dense undercoat and oily topcoat repel water and shed heavily twice a year.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 65–80 lbs | 55–70 lbs |
| Height | 22–24 in | 21–23 in |
| Daily calories | 1,420–1,860 kcal | 1,250–1,690 kcal |
| Lifespan | 11–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, dense, water-resistant double coat | |
Personality
An eager, friendly retriever that treats every person as a potential friend.
How it thinks
Biddable and quick, with a strong desire to please and a lifelong appetite that makes food reward very effective.
At home
Excellent with children and other pets, but young Labs are exuberant and need guidance to channel the energy.
Training
-
How often
2–3 sessions daily, 10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Socialize between 8–16 weeks with strangers, other dogs, water and busy environments.
-
Self-control
Teach a calm greeting and a hold-the-retrieve; reward four paws on the floor before attention.
-
What it works for
Use small liver pieces as the reward; Labs work for food, so count every treat against the daily calories.
Exercise
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Fetch and swimming
- Off-leash hiking where allowed
- Structured retrieves on land.
Brain work
- Scent and nosework games
- Retrieval and obedience drills
- Food puzzles.
Feeding
Prone to obesity and scavenging. Feed measured portions and use slow feeders. Ask your vet about joint support as they age.
Puppy (4–12 Mos)
- Daily calories
- 1,180–2,290 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 120–230 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 6–11 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,090–1,450 kcal
- Protein
- 26%
- Fat
- 15%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 110–145 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–7 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 1,720–2,280 kcal
- Protein
- 30%
- Fat
- 20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 170–230 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–11 pieces a day
Senior (8+ Yrs)
- Daily calories
- 940–1,240 kcal
- Protein
- 28%
- Fat
- 12%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 95–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 5–6 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (4–12 Mos) | 1,180–2,290 kcal | 28% | 18% | 120–230 kcal | 6–11 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,090–1,450 kcal | 26% | 15% | 110–145 kcal | 5–7 pieces |
| Active / Working | 1,720–2,280 kcal | 30% | 20% | 170–230 kcal | 9–11 pieces |
| Senior (8+ Yrs) | 940–1,240 kcal | 28% | 12% | 95–125 kcal | 5–6 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip and elbow evaluation | Once for breeding stock; monitor lifelong |
| Exercise-induced collapse and PRA | DNA tests (EIC, PRA-prcd) | Once |
| Obesity and joint disease | Body-condition scoring and weight tracking | Every vet visit |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (ACVO) | Yearly while breeding |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Labrador Retriever breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
- D Locus (Dilute) DNA test
Also recommended
- Centronuclear Myopathy
- Heart exam
- prcd-PRA DNA test
Grooming Heavy, with two seasonal blowouts
Brush weekly, and daily during seasonal sheds. Bathe as needed, dry ears after swimming and trim nails every 3–4 weeks.
History
Origins
Newfoundland Water Dogs
Fishermen's dogs hauled nets and retrieved fish in Newfoundland's cold water.
Standardization
British Refinement
English nobles imported them in the 1800s and bred the modern retriever type.
Modern Companion
America's Favorite
The Labrador has been among the most registered US breeds for decades as a family, service and field dog.
Questions owners ask
Are Labrador Retrievers easy to train?
Yes. Labs are among the easiest large breeds to train because they are eager to please and food-motivated. Start early, keep sessions upbeat and reward calm behavior over exuberance.
How many calories does a Labrador Retriever need per day?
An active adult Labrador Retriever (55–80 lbs) typically needs about 1,250–1,860 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 1,090–1,450 kcal and a working dog up to 1,720–2,280 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.
What is the best diet and training treat for a Labrador Retriever?
Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 110–145 kcal a day in total for an adult Labrador Retriever of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 5–7 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.
Are Labrador Retrievers good for apartments or first-time owners?
Possible but demanding. Labs are adaptable and good with first-time owners, but they need 60+ minutes of daily exercise and do best with a yard or regular outings.
How much exercise does a Labrador Retriever require daily?
Most adults need 60–90 minutes daily, including running, fetch or swimming plus mental work. Young Labs may need more.
What health issues are Labrador Retrievers prone to?
Labs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, ear infections, exercise-induced collapse and eye disease. Keep your Lab lean, which can add years to its life.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Labrador Retriever needs only 5–7 pieces a day, well inside the 110–145 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Labrador Retriever ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Labrador Retriever
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
