About this Breed

The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular AKC breed in the United States every year for the past 25 years. Their origins have been traced to the St. John’s dog, named for the capital city of the Canadian province  “Newfoundland and Labrador.” The St. John’s was developed from imported European dogs for fishing and hunting on the island of Newfoundland in the 18th century. During the 19th century St John’s were bred in England and developed into the Labradors we know and love. Labradors were recognized as a breed by the British Kennel Club in 1903 and by the AKC in 1917.

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.

In terms of physical characteristics, Labrador Retrievers have a strong body, square proportions, strong jaw, and broad head. They come in three colors: yellow, black, and chocolate.

Nutrition

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.

Grooming

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.

Playtime

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. 

An Embark Dog DNA Test looks at the following health conditions in Labrador Retrievers:

Labrador Retriever breeder information

Should I breed my dog with health variants?

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 and diversity 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.

Factoring in genetics to breeding decisions

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. 

Breed organization partnerships

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.