Labrador Retriever
Owner's Guide
According to the American Kennel Club's statistics, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed in the United States today. Originally bred as a versatile retriever for fishermen and hunters, today the Lab is still versatile; he's a hunting companion and a great family dog.
Health Concerns
Although basically a healthy breed, Labs do have some health problems that have been seen in the breed.
* Hip and elbow dysplasia
* Knee problems
* Eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts
* Allergies
Breed Profile
The Labrador Retriever is playful, loving and hardworking. The Lab can be counted on as a true friend. Labs work as guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and for narcotics detection. They are also one of two breeds used in the Puppies Behind Bars Program.
More InfoArticles

-
- Q&A: Officer in Charge of Police Service Dogs for 2010 Winter Olympic Games
- The security team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, includes a special group of dogs who work with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). More »
-
- Anatomy of a Dog Show
- For many people, dog shows may appear to be the canine versions of human beauty contests like Miss America or Miss Universe. But they're not. More »
-
- How Can I Prevent My Canine From Getting Chronic Ear Infections?
- Q: My black lab gets chronic ear infections. What causes this and how can I prevent it? More »
-
- The Puppies Behind Bars Program
- Puppies Behind Bars Program is training labrador retrievers and golden retrievers to assist people with disabilities More »
Videos
Breed Profile: Labrador Retriever
A terrific family dog and a sterling hunting companion, it¿s no surprise that America¿s most popular breed is the Labrador retriever . The Lab is part of the retriever family of work dogs and hails from the Canadian peninsula of Labrador .
Petside Story
The Best Exercise For Your Type Of Dog
P.E.T.S. Unleashed
Blogs
…I made a prediction late last year that the Labradorâ s sixteen-year reign as the top dog in the country was about to end. I was wrong. The AKC registration results are in and the faithful Labrador Retriever has maintain his... More…
"You're Fat": Vet Hits Me With Hard Truth
…It's a phrase no woman wants to hear: More…
…Quick, whatâ s the most popular dog breed in US? You guessed it; the ubiquitous Labrador Retriever. The Lab has been #1 on the AKC â most popularâ list since 1991, but I think weâ re on the heels of an upset... More…
…A Labrador retriever gave birth earlier this month to what are claimed to be the world's first puppies born from transplanted frozen fertilized eggs--births that could lead toward alleviating the current shortage of guide dogs in Japan. A research team... More…
Petside: Get Started
-
- 2010 NCAA Mascot Tournament
Vote for your favorite pet mascots to determine the ultimate NCAA mascot champion!
-
- Find a Breed
Browse dog and cat breeds to find your perfect pal.
-
- Diagnose a Condition
Use PetVet to research what's ailing your pet.
-
- Locate a Hospital
- Find the nearest accredited animal hospital.
Specials
Check out these deals picked by petside.com just for you!
