Labrador
Retriever

A Labrador Retriever is a good companion for:

Children under 5

Seniors

Apartments/Condos

Children ages 5–11

Busy People

Rural Homes

Life Span

The standard Labrador retriever's life span is 10 to 12 years.

Typical Behavior

Labrador retrievers are happiest when they are with people. They tend to be quite patient with children and make wonderful family dogs. While they may bark protectively, Labrador retrievers are not guard dogs and generally will not act aggressively.

Labradors require extensive exercise and daily playtime. If unexercised, they often will become destructive or jump a fence to alleviate boredom. Daily exercise for a Labrador also is necessary because most love to eat. Labrador retrievers are relatively easy to train with the proper techniques and discipline. If untrained, they can be unmanageable due to their size and enthusiasm.

Care Requirements

Labrador retrievers require regular exercise, daily meals, access to fresh drinking water at all times, a good brushing at least once a week and at least one visit per year to see a veterinarian for a health checkup and required vaccinations. They also need to have daily playtime and interactions with people.

SPCA International strongly recommends that you have your dog spayed or neutered. There continues to be serious overpopulation of companion animals for which permanent homes cannot be found. This means that every year, millions of animals are euthanized in shelters before they have the chance to live a full and happy life.

Proper Habitat and Habitat Maintenance Requirements

Labrador retrievers like having a space of their own. This space could be a dog bed or a crate that had been used to housebreak the dog. Exercise is important for the health and well-being of a Labrador retriever. Take care to provide outdoor play space, or take your dog on walks or to the park daily.

Dietary Requirements

Most Labrador retrievers have a tendency to become obese, so it is important to closely control their diets. This breed grows quickly and is subject to hip dysplasia. The Labrador retriever puppy should be fed a diet prepared for large-breed puppies or regular adult dog food with less than 25 percent protein to help avoid joint problems that can occur when puppies grow too fast. For a puppy, food should be offered two to three times a day and remaining food should be taken away if not eaten within 10 minutes.

Financial Considerations for a Labrador Retreiver:

Veterinary

Regular veterinary care is recommended for all dogs, including Labrador retrievers. A yearly examination and laboratory tests run approximately $150 - $255; immunizations are approximately $60 to $75. Internal/external parasite preventatives are approximately $120 to $190.

It is also strongly recommended that your dog be spayed or neutered. At your veterinarian clinic or local animal hospital, the cost for these services should run between $250 and $400 for a spay and $200 and $350 for a neuter. If you need financial assistance, there are low-cost spay and neuter clinics in most areas that will help you defray the expense to between $50 and $175 for a female dog (depending on weight) and between $45 and $175 for a male dog (depending on weight).

Grooming

The Labrador retriever requires regular grooming with a firm bristle brush. Special care should be given to the under coat to prevent mats and tangles. Bathing or dry shampooing should only be done when absolutely necessary.

Should you use a professional groomer, the cost to for bath-only services for this large but short-hair breed should run close to $50.

Animal Sitter

A professional dog sitter, a friend or neighbor or a boarding kennel can be used to care for your Labrador retriever in your absence.

Food

The cost to feed a Labrador retriever will vary depending on the quality of the food you feed the dog. Veterinarians recommend a high quality food which helps prevent health problems.

Other Supplies:

Generally, a labrador retriever will require food and a water dish; a collar with current identification and a leash; a bed; a dog house if spending time outdoors; toys; grooming supplies, and a pooper scooper and bags.

Interesting Facts about Labrador Retreivers:

• Labrador retrievers originally came from Newfoundland, where they worked alongside fisherman, helping to pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines.
• Labrador retrievers were first imported to the United States during World War I.
• Labrador retrievers are widely considered the most popular dog in the world.
• A Labrador retriever's tail looks very similar to the tail of an otter.
• King Buck, winner of the National Retriever Championship for two consecutive years, was the first Labrador retriever on a US postage stamp. King Buck was featured on the 1959 Federal duck stamp to commemorate the work of retrievers and their contribution to waterfowl conservation.