Labrador Retriever adult black and white

Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever’s strong physique and open, happy temperament make it one of the more tireless breeds.

About the Labrador Retriever

Swimming, chasing, playing, walking with its owner – the Labrador Retriever is up for anything and everything! If you want a breed that makes training easy, that’s very intelligent, balanced and, above all, playful, the Labrador Retriever is for you.

Most Labrador Retrievers also particularly love children. It’s important to remember that this breed does have one fairly big motivator – their appetite! This can make it challenging to maintain a Labrador Retriever’s healthy weight, more so than with other breeds. However, with a balanced, healthy diet and plenty of exercise it’s certainly achievable.

Source: key facts and characteristics sourced from Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)

Breed specifics

Country
United Kingdom
Group
FCI Group 8, AKC Sporting Group
Size category
Large
Avg life expectancy
10–14 years

Even-tempered / Agile / Adaptable / Loyal / Intelligent / Loving / Lively

Key facts

  • Needs a lot of space
  • Needs a lot of exercise
  • Gentle with children
Labrador Retriever adult black and white

Origins of the breed

For many enthusiasts, the Labrador Retriever remains one of the most popular all-round dogs worldwide. It’s thought that Labrador Retrievers originated from the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, where fishermen used dogs of this appearance to retrieve fish. The breed as we know it today, however, was established by the British in the early 1800’s.

The Labrador Retriever Club was founded in 1916 and the first standard followed soon after, predominantly tailored to working Labrador Retrievers who found early fame, having been originally introduced to the U.K. in the late 1800’s by Col Peter Hawker and the Earl of Malmesbury.

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