A fisherman's helper
Labradors began in Newfoundland, hauling nets and fetching fish that slipped the hook from icy water.
Big dogs · A lot of time and space
Labrador retriever
Gundog · from Newfoundland, Canada
A sturdy, short-coated dog with a broad head, soft drop ears and a thick tail like an otter's. Black, yellow or chocolate.
- Size
- 55 to 57cm at the shoulder; 25 to 36kg
- Lives for
- 10 to 12 years
- Suits
- Active families with time for long walks
Trots after you, tail going. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the labrador
A waterproof coat
The coat has two layers: a soft, warm one underneath and a short, oily one on top that sheds water.
An otter's tail
The thick, tapering tail works as a rudder when the dog swims.
Always hungry
Many Labradors carry a change in a gene that stops them ever feeling full. It is easy to overfeed one.
A soft mouth
They were bred to carry game without marking it. A well-taught Labrador can carry an egg without breaking it.
Guide dog of choice
Most guide dogs are Labradors or Labrador crosses, picked for their steady temper and wish to please.
The real thing
Photos of the labrador
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
Looking after one
A Labrador needs a good hour or more of exercise a day, and loves to swim and fetch. Measure its food: they put on weight very easily. The coat needs a brush once a week and sheds a great deal.
Before you get one
They are friendly with almost everyone, which makes them poor guard dogs and wonderful family dogs. Young ones are boisterous and chew for the first two or three years.
Keep going