Breed Description: The Labrador Retriever is the original water dog. Originally bred to assist fisherman in Newfoundland, these sturdy, muscular dogs are now respected worldwide for their contributions to the military, police work, as guide dogs and for performing search and rescue. They have exceptional patience and an easygoing temperament. This breed is intelligent, hardy and eager to please. A powerful swimmer, the Labrador Retriever makes a reliable hunting partner and a friendly house dog.
Group: Sporting Group
Purpose of Breed: Helping fishermen
Country of Origin: Newfoundland, Canada.
Average Size: Ranges from 21.5 inches to 24.5 inches and 55 to 80 pounds depending on sex.
Color(s): Black, yellow or chocolate.
Coat Type: Coats are short, straight and dense. Their coat is easily cared for with once a week grooming
Grooming: This breed is a moderate shedder. The easy to maintain coat should be brushed occasionally to remove dead hair. This breed requires standard care for eyes, pads and nails. Ears should be cleaned and examined regularly.
Exercise Needs: Labrador Retrievers are an active breed and need daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. They especially enjoy long walks, swimming and games involving retrieving.
Temperament: Labrador Retrievers are gentle and easygoing. They are intelligent, easy to train, and renowned for their patience with children. Labs are eager to please and very forgiving, so much so, that their good nature is sometimes taken for granted by thoughtless owners. This breed is courageous and hard working and adapts easily to new situations.
Common Ailments: Susceptible to skin allergies, epilepsy, eye diseases and hip dysplasia.
Life Expectancy: Averages 10-12 years
Trivia: To assist fishermen, Labrador Retrievers jumped overboard when boats neared land, gather the ends of fishing nets in their mouths and swam ashore where awaiting crew members could empty the catch.
More Information: Labrador Retriever Cub, Inc.
Check out these photos.
In order after a day out in the snow: Char (4 1/2 years), Fluid (11 months) and Coal (20 months). They are labs. Char was bought on March 5, 2005, the others followed after mama found a boyfriend.
Kasey is 2 1/2 years old and a AKC Labrador Retriever. We got Kasey as a puppy at 8 weeks of age. Kasey loves to go for a walk every evening, swim, play ball in the yard and chase squirrels.
Barney is a 1 1/2 year old Registered Black Lab. A friend bred a large litter of pups and sold all but the last 3. She knew that we had lost a golden retriever a while back and felt in her heart that she should give us this puppy.
We got Khaleesi from a friend that was giving away hunting dogs in the fall of 2014.
He was the last pup in the litter. We got him for my husband's Xmas present.
I got him from a rescue at 7 weeks old. He's a big goofball that trips over his big feet all the time, but that doesn't keep him from running around.
Lucky was a dog that someone had evidently dumped out at the elementary school where I teach. Everyday she was there and the kids shared their lunches and played with her.
This is Sadie. She is my 5 month old yellow labrador retriever. I got her from a friend on Sept. 1st. She loves to SWIM and chase squirrels.
Alvie (Labrador Retriever) Photo. This is Alvie, our Black Lab. We got him on a Friday and by Monday he was breaking out with little blisters on his face.
Holly Molly is a 4 year old Labrador. I got her when she was 8 weeks old. She likes swimming, getting a bath, playing ball and loves going in the car. I love all seven of my dogs.
Ranger is a 1 year old Labrador Retriever. I went to a shelter and got him along with his twin sister in 2011. He loves to chase tennis balls and swim in the ocean. He's the most loving, sweetest dog I know.
A relative's Lab had the puppies and she was given to my children. We have had her since last summer. The kids love her very much. She's actually becoming quite the watch dog too. She barks at anything that isn't supposed to be around the house. Alaina and I were having a ball when I took these pics.
Chloe is almost 2 years old and is a Yellow Lab. Chloe is my daughter, Sara's, 16th birthday present.
We adopted this beautiful girl in 2008. Lacy was a rescue that our vet determined to be about 6 years old. Sadly we lost her last summer, but I still miss her ever day as she was my constant companion, always at my side.
I got him in October 2015. He likes to chase his tail. He's a very affectionate guy, he needs hugs and kisses all day and as soon as I walk in the door he greets me with a lot of love!
Tootsie and Gypsy are 2 and 3 years old. They are Chocolate Labs. I got them from breeders. They like to swim, swim and swim some more. These two are our second 'family' of Labs. Our first 2 girls, Tori and Sable Softail lived to be 10 and 12 1/2 years.
We bought her from a kennel in Idaho. She was 8 weeks old, and so cute and sweet!
Abby (aka Big Mama) is a 9 year old Golden Retriever. We got her 9 years ago
Master Baxter is 6 month old AKC registered Black Labrador Retriever. Baxter if from my 1st and only litter of puppies raised from my chocolate male and my black female labradors.
