Labrador Retriever
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Find Labrador Retriever Breeders Near You
Connect with certified breeders who have Labrador Retriever puppies available.
Find Labrador Retriever BreedersGet to Know Labrador Retrievers
- Natural Swimmers: Labradors are natural swimmers, often excelling in water-related activities and sports. Their webbed paws and otter-like tail make them particularly adept at swimming, and they have a strong affinity for water.
- Friendly and Outgoing: Labradors are famously friendly and outgoing, making them one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Their gentle nature and adaptability make them excellent family pets.
- Royal Roots: Labrador Retrievers were originally bred in Newfoundland, Canada, and were later refined in England. Their hunting and retrieving abilities caught the attention of British nobility, who played a key role in establishing the breed as we know it today.
- Highly Versatile: Labradors are highly versatile and have been used in a variety of roles throughout history, including as guide dogs for the blind, search-and-rescue dogs, and therapy animals. Their intelligence and trainability make them suitable for numerous tasks.
- Impact on Modern Breeding: The Labrador Retriever has significantly influenced modern dog breeding practices. Their desirable traits, such as intelligence, temperament, and physical abilities, have made them a key breed in developing other popular breeds and hybrid dogs.
Breed History
The Labrador Retriever originated in the early 1800s from the island of Newfoundland (not Labrador), where small water dogs known as St. John’s Water Dogs worked alongside fishermen. These dogs were prized for their ability to retrieve fishing nets, haul lines, and fetch fish from icy waters — thanks to their water-resistant coat, strong tail (often called an “otter tail”), and natural retrieving instinct. British sportsmen imported the dogs to England in the 19th century, where they were refined into the modern Labrador Retriever as a gundog used to retrieve game for hunters. Over time, their intelligence, trainability, and gentle temperament made them one of the most popular family dogs worldwide — and consistently one of the top breeds in Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.
Personality and Behaviour
- Friendly & Social: Labs are famously people-oriented and typically get along well with children, strangers, and other animals.
- Eager to Please & Trainable: They are highly food-motivated and responsive, making them excellent candidates for obedience work, service roles, and family training.
- Energetic & Play-Driven: Labradors have a strong retrieving drive and need regular physical and mental stimulation — especially in their first 2–3 years.
Care
- Exercise: Labs need at least 60–90 minutes of exercise daily, including walks, play, or retrieving games. Scent work, obedience drills, and food puzzles help prevent boredom-related behaviors. Their water-repellent coat and retrieving drive make swimming and fetch perfect outlets.
- Grooming: Brush 1–2 times per week to manage heavy shedding, especially during seasonal coat blows. Check and clean ears regularly, especially after swimming, to prevent infections.
- Training: Puppy socialization and obedience training are crucial due to their size and enthusiasm. Labs respond exceptionally well to food rewards and praise. Work on leash manners and “off” commands — their excitement and strength can be overwhelming without structure.
Labrador Retriever Summary
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GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Labrador Retriever Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation. |
| Elbow Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. |
| Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) | Exercise Induced Collapse - DNA based test from an approved Lab. |
| D Locus (Dilute) DNA Test | DNA based D LOCUS results from an approved Lab. |
| Centronuclear myopathy (CNM) | (Optional but recommended) DNA Based CNM Test. |
| Cardiac Evaluation | (Optional but recommended) Advanced Cardiac Exam. Standard Congenital Cardiac Exam. Basic Cardiac Exam. |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd) Test | (Optional but recommended) DNA based PRA-prcd test from a licensed Lab. |
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Labrador Retriever Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Labrador Retriever is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Labrador Retriever
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Labrador Retriever puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Labrador Retriever, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Labrador Retriever is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
