Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is a breed of dog originating from Newfoundland, Canada. They are known for their friendly, outgoing personality and their ability to retrieve objects and hunt. They have a short, dense coat that comes in three distinct colors: black, yellow and chocolate.

General details

The Labrador Retriever is a medium-sized dog, usually weighing between 27 and 42 kilograms, and measuring between 53 to 59 centimeters in height at the withers. The average life expectancy of a Labrador Retriever is 10 to 12 years. According to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, they belong to Group 8 of hunting retrievers, hunting hounds and water dogs.

Breed history in brief

The Labrador Retriever is believed to have originated in Newfoundland (Canada) in the 19th century. They were originally bred to help fishermen retrieve fishing nets and catch fish that had escaped from the nets. The breed was later imported to England, where it developed into the friendly, trainable dogs we know today. The Labrador Retriever has become one of the most popular breeds in the world because of its friendly and trainable nature. They are often used as assistance dogs, as guide dogs for the blind and service dogs for the disabled. They are also popular as family pets, due to their friendly, outgoing personality and their ability to get along well with children and other pets.

Breed characteristics

The Labrador Retriever is a large breed with a robust build and friendly expression. Their ears hang down, framing their face, and the eyes are medium sized and brown or hazel in color. They have a strong, muscular neck, broad chest and strong legs. Their tail is especially active and expressive, and is usually held at a medium height. The coat is short, dense and water resistant. It comes in three main colors: black, yellow and chocolate. Its coat is easy to maintain and requires minimal grooming. The Labrador Retriever is a dog with a balanced, friendly and docile temperament, which adapts to different situations and stands out for its intelligence and willingness to please its owners. This breed has an exceptional sense of smell and shows a great ability to retrieve objects with delicacy. In addition, it is fond of water and enjoys swimming and participating in aquatic activities.

Common health problems

Like all dog breeds, the Labrador Retriever is susceptible to certain health problems. Some of the most common health problems in the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, exercise-induced collapse, gastric volvulus dilatation, epilepsy and hypothyroidism. In addition to the above conditions, the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) recommends a cardiac and ocular screening exam, as well as a test to assess for centronuclear myopathy.