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Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever was bred for hunting and excelled in retrieving game after it was shot down. Known for its gentle disposition and loyalty, the Labrador Retriever has become a favorite of families and breeders alike.
Fun Fact
We’re pretty sure Labradors came from the island of Newfoundland, and many experts believe that the Newfoundland breed was developed in neighboring Labrador! By our calculations, there are 10 times as many Labradors in North America than there are people living in Labrador and Newfoundland.
Height
Male: 22.5-24.5in
Female: 21.5-23.5in
Weight
Male: 65-80lb
Female: 55-70lb
With their friendly dispositions and weatherproof build, they are terrific family dogs and outdoor companions. Most Labradors are very active with an appetite to match, and need plenty of exercise. Labradors often love to swim. Their double-coated weather-resistant fur can cause heavy shedding. Great hunting dogs and popular household companions, Labrador Retrievers are also employed as guide dogs and search-and-rescue dogs.
When it comes to Labradors, you’ll want to watch out for overeating! Labradors are very likely to have a mutation in the POMC gene that increases their propensity for overeating. So keep that in mind as you get to know your new best friend: They may not be a good candidate for free feeding, and might require some serious portion control.
The Labrador Retriever is an easy dog to groom. They have a thick, water-repellant double coat, which sheds, according to the AKC.
“Give occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Lab’s nails should be trimmed regularly and his teeth brushed frequently,” the AKC reported.
You can groom your dog at home if you’d like or simply take that pup to the groomers for regular sessions.
“Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems,” according to the AKC.
Labrador Retrievers need at least one hour of exercise each day, according to Labrador Training HQ. If your pup is very energetic, you may want to have your furry friend play a bit longer so they’ll get a better night’s sleep.
Many breeders receive their dog’s Embark results and discover that their dog is a carrier or at-risk for a genetic health disease. This begs the question, “Should dogs with one or two copies of a deleterious variant be used in a breeding program?” In this video, Embark’s Chief Science Officer explains what to consider when answering that question.
See what genetic health condition tests are offered for Labrador Retrievers.
Inbreeding is a measure of how closely related your dog’s parents were. The higher the number, the more closely related the parents. Embark scientists, along with our research partners at Cornell University, have shown that a dog’s level of inbreeding is scientifically known to impact dog health and longevity. Learn more.
Embark’s Matchmaker tool enables breeders to evaluate dogs for prospective breedings by comparing their genetic profiles. You can access Matchmaker for Labrador Retrievers by using the Embark for Breeders kit.
Embark collaborates with more than 40 leading canine health, breed, and industry organizations to accelerate impactful research for purebred dogs. See how your club can become a partner.
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Centronuclear Myopathy, CNM PTPLAMuscular
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Hyperuricosuria and Hyperuricemia or Urolithiasis, HUU SLC2A9Kidney and Bladder
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Narcolepsy HCRTR2 Intron 6, Labrador Retriever VariantBrain and Spinal Cord
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Congenital Dyserythropoietic Anemia and Polymyopathy EHPB1L1, Labrador Retriever VariantMultisystem
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Myotonia Congenita CLCN1 Exon 19, Labrador Retriever VariantMuscular
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Stargardt Disease ABCA4 Exon 28, Labrador Retriever VariantEyes
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Copper Toxicosis (Attenuating) RETN, Labrador RetrieverClinical
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Canine Elliptocytosis SPTB Exon 30Blood
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy, prcd PRCD Exon 1Eyes
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Copper Toxicosis (Accumulating) ATP7BLiver
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Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency PKLR Exon 7, Labrador Retriever VariantBlood
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Alexander Disease GFAPBrain and Spinal Cord
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Achromatopsia CNGA3 Exon 7, Labrador Retriever VariantEyes
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Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome, CMS COLQ, Labrador Retriever VariantNeuromuscular
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Skeletal Dysplasia 2, SD2 COL11A2, Labrador Retriever VariantSkeletal
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Golden Retriever Progressive Retinal Atrophy 2, GR-PRA2 TTC8Eyes
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Exercise-Induced Collapse, EIC DNM1Brain and Spinal Cord
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy, crd4/cord1 RPGRIP1Eyes
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Copper Toxicosis (Attenuating) ATP7A, Labrador RetrieverClinical
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Muscular Dystrophy-Dystroglycanopathy LARGE1, Labrador Retriever VariantMuscular
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Macular Corneal Dystrophy, MCD CHST6Eyes
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Myotubular Myopathy 1, X-linked Myotubular Myopathy, XL-MTM MTM1, Labrador Retriever VariantMuscular
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Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy CNTNAP1, Leonberger, Saint Bernard, and Labrador Retriever variantNeuromuscular
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Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis, HNPK SUV39H2Skin & Connective Tissues
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Ullrich-like Congenital Muscular Dystrophy COL6A3 Exon 10, Labrador Retriever VariantMuscular
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Degenerative Myelopathy, DM SOD1ABrain and Spinal Cord
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) COL5A1, Labrador Retriever VariantSkin & Connective Tissues
Breed identification
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