Labrador Retriever

Although they're beloved worldwide, Labrador Retrievers trace their origins to Canada. The shaggy-haired Newfoundland is a cousin of the Labrador Retriever—both originated on the island of Newfoundland and descended from the extinct St. John's Water Dog. This extinct breed arose from the mingling of various species of European working dogs and existed as far back as the 1500s. They were often fishermen's assistants, sporting water-resistant coats and jumping into the sea to pull in fish and nets.

Around the 1830s, St. John's Water Dogs were transported to the English port of Poole. They caught the attention of the Earl of Malmesbury, who was impressed with these dogs' retrieving skills and decided to breed them as hunting companions. The Earl successfully established the breed that became today's Labrador Retriever but mistakenly named them "Labrador dogs," despite them hailing from the nearby island of Newfoundland. The breed was officially recognized by England's Kennel Club in 1903 and by the American Kennel Club in 1917.

Labrador Retrievers come in three distinctive colors recognized by the AKC—black, yellow and brown (or chocolate). Black was the first color to be bred, and it is still the most common color due to the dominance of the black color gene. Yellow and chocolate Labs each make up about a quarter of the breed's numbers.

Interestingly, black and chocolate Labrador Retrievers have paws and noses that are the same color as their coat, while the yellow Lab's nose and paws can be black or brown. It's not always possible to tell what color Labrador Retriever puppies will be based on the coat color of their parents.

Labrador Retriever colors can fall outside the standard black, yellow and chocolate. Some of these colors are the result of mixed breeding or poor breeding practices, while others are simply hue variations within an AKC-accepted Labrador Retriever color. For instance, the "fox red" color—while sometimes erroneously presented as a distinct color of purebred Lab—is just one of the varied shades of gold accepted in yellow Labs.

Unlike some dog breeds that shed seasonally, Labrador Retrievers shed year-round—although it tends to be heaviest in the spring and fall. This shedding can be attributed to the thick, double-layered coat that made Labs' ancestors so well suited to swimming in the cold waters around Newfoundland. Labs' tendency to shed around the house is a small price that many potential Labrador Retriever parents are willing to pay in exchange for their usually bright personalities. At Petco, we carry solutions that can help make grooming and cleaning up after your Labrador Retriever easier and less time-consuming.

While dogs in the retriever class share some characteristics—including an amiable personality, the ability to follow cues and a love of playing fetch—there are notable differences between Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. While both yellow Labs and Golden Retrievers come in a rainbow of beautiful golden hues—from light cream to deep red—they have distinct physical traits. For one thing, the hair of a yellow Labrador can be much shorter, while Golden retrievers typically have longer, wavier hair. Another key difference is that Labrador retrievers are usually more "square" and stocky in their heads and bodies, while Golden Retrievers have longer, more tapered snouts and less muscular bodies.

The price of a purebred Labrador Retriever will vary depending on the breeder. Some breeders might ask for a few hundred dollars, while the higher-end price may exceed a couple thousand. The average ranges from about $800 to $1,500. While it might be tempting to look for a lower-cost Labrador puppy, you should be wary of breeders offering suspiciously low prices, as this can be a sign that the breeder is not reputable. They may have poor breeding practices or keep their dogs in poor conditions.

If you're cost-conscious, a wonderful way to welcome a Labrador Retriever into your home without paying a high purchase price—or worse, underpaying for a purebred puppy from a shady breeder—is to adopt from a Labrador Retriever rescue. There are many Lab rescue organizations throughout the United States, so check online for resources in your area. You're likely to find purebreds in a range of colors for a much lower adoption fee than you would find with a breeder.

Remember that a Labrador Retriever puppy's purchase or adoption price is just one part of a pet parent's financial responsibility. For cost-effective supplies and services, you can visit your neighborhood Petco Pet Care Center or shop online for money-saving dog deals on food and supplies.

No matter how much we treasure our dogs, we know they won't be with us forever. Luckily, Labrador Retrievers typically have a longer lifespan than other dogs of their size, with most living 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is about 12 to 12.5 years.

Some studies suggest that chocolate Labrador Retrievers’ life expectancy is about a year shorter than their yellow and black counterparts. This may be related to the chocolate Lab's higher likelihood of developing particular skin and ear infections.

While your beloved Labrador Retriever may not live forever, you can do your part to give them a happy, healthy life by tending to their needs and keeping them in good shape. Nutritious food, regular visits with their veterinarian and ample exercise can help your pet live a long life. As Labrador Retrievers are prone to joint issues, you may want to consult your veterinarian about giving your Lab preventive joint health supplements. Petco's wide selection of dog health and wellness solutions can help keep your canine in good condition.

Labrador Retrievers are considered medium-large dogs. Their bodies are usually solid and sturdy—well-suited to the sporting activities for which they were bred. Today, Labradors are more likely to use all that power for enthusiastic games and playing than retrieving fish and fowl.

How tall is a typical Labrador Retriever? On average, about 21.5 to 24.5-inches tall at the shoulder, according to the AKC. Size varies somewhat based on sex, with females usually standing a little shorter than males. Their weight can vary widely—especially as many Labradors are food motivated and put on weight if their diet isn’t closely monitored or they don’t get enough exercise. In general, Labs typically weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. Extra weight can add additional strain to your pet’s body and exacerbate heart and joint problems. To help keep your Labrador Retrieverat their target weight, they should engage in about an hour of exercise a day—whether that be through fetching, running, swimming or hiking.

While Labrador Retrievers were bred as working dogs with swimming and fetching skills, their popularity in the United States is likely due to their sunny dispositions. Labs can make excellent companions to children and adults alike. They tend to love—and need—exercise but are comfortable lounging for long periods, too. They're outgoing and make new friends easily, although their strong bark and loyal behavior can provide a sense of security when someone new shows up at the door.

Common Labrador Retriever traits include:

• Friendly disposition Labs can be cheerful and friendly, even when meeting someone for the first time. They can make good companions who aren't ordinarily picky about their environment, whether lounging on the couch or playing. They're typically sociable and can enjoy being part of a pack—whether that means other dogs or your family.
• Suitable family dogs Labradors can get along with people of all ages and families of all sizes. They can be loyal friends to just one pet parent but have exhibited behaviors that can make them suitable for families with small children due to their historically low aggression levels.
• Good with other pets The famous Labrador Retriever's easy temperament isn't limited to people. Most Labs are happy to share a home with other dogs and even cats.
• High energy Labrador Retrievers typically enjoy getting outside and moving their bodies. This is one of the traits that can make them great family dogs, as Labs and kids can spend hours playing together and expending energy. If you don't have highly active children, you'll need to devote time each day to exercising your Lab with walks, a session of fetch or a visit to the dog park.
• Intelligence As sporting dogs, Labrador Retrievers are bred to be intelligent and highly trainable. Training from an early age can be important to temper their abundant energy, but you're unlikely to encounter stubbornness or resistance to training. However, puppies have been known to be clumsy at first.

The Labrador Retriever’s intelligence and desire to please usually make them easy to train—especially if you begin in puppyhood. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Start young Labrador Retrievers benefit most from obedience training when it's started early. At about 8 weeks old, most Lab puppies are ready to begin gently learning training cues.
• Socialization Labrador Retriever puppies should be exposed to new situations and experiences from an early age. If Labs come into frequent contact with other dogs, other animals and humans of all ages, they are more likely to grow up pleasant and good natured.
• Swimming Labrador Retrievers have webbed paws, which typically makes them great swimmers. You won't want to introduce a very young puppy to the water, but Labs can be gradually taught how to swim starting around 3 months of age.
• Training For optimal results, try giving cues to your Labrador in various environments so they get a chance to practice obedience in a range of conditions.
• Positive reinforcement Labrador Retrievers—and all dogs—benefit from encouragement and positive reinforcement rather than scolding or harsh words to motivate good behavior. While all dogs love treats, Labrador Retrievers' love of food is well known, so the occasional treat to reward a good training session might be exceptionally motivating.
• Special training The average Labrador Retriever's temperament can make them wonderful service animals due to their intelligence, trainability and friendly nature. If you're interested in training your Labrador for service, search online for programs in your area.

What does a Labrador Retriever eat? Anything and everything, if left up to them. Most Labs have quite the appetite due to them being energetic, active dogs. While all dogs benefit from nutritious, high-quality dog food, Labradors usually need protein-rich food to keep their muscles and joints in good condition. Look for dog food made from natural ingredients with a good balance of protein and fat—especially if your Lab spends a lot of time playing fetch or swimming. As they were initially bred for work, it's good for Labrador Retrievers to indulge their natural instinct to move their bodies. Labs typically love to eat and are prone to obesity, so getting in a good workout before refueling with nutrient-dense dog food is often recommended.

Labradors tend to be energetic dogs who are always ready for action. They're known for loving walks, runs and swims. Many Labs are best suited to homes with large yards or pet parents who are willing and able to give them plenty of exercise each day. Without exercise, Labrador Retrievers can sometimes engage in destructive behaviors, so it's important to make sure your pup has lots of chances to burn off their energy each day.

On average, caring for a middle-aged Lab costs around $1,350 per year. That’s averaging $300 for vet care, $300 for grooming and boarding, $500 for food and treats and $250 on other miscellaneous costs.

Keep in mind that the cost of caring for your Labrador Retriever will vary based on many factors, including their unique health and wellness needs and issues, the type of food you feed them, their age and more.