Labrador Retriever - Breed Profile
The beloved Labrador Retriever is playful, loving to people and hardworking. The Lab can be counted on as a true friend anytime, anyplace, and is highly respected for his prowess at many jobs: as a guide for the disabled, a search-and-rescue dog, and for narcotics detection.
Labs originated from the original "St. John's" water dogs of Newfoundland--rugged dogs who worked alongside the fishermen of Newfoundland, helping them pull in nets and even catching fish that escaped from fishing lines. Over the years, Labs developed into the retrievers we know today when they were crossed with setters, spaniels, and other retrievers.
Labs used to be best known for their glossy black coats, but yellow and chocolate Labs are growing in numbers. Any of the Labs can have a small white spot on the chest, but all should have dark (not pink) noses. The coat is short and dense and sheds year-round. Eyes range from yellow to hazel to brown or black.
Excerpts from the Standard
General Appearance: Strongly built, very active, muscular in the hindquarters. Tail should not curl over the back.
Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height at withers--males, 22 1/2 to 24 1/2 inches; females, 21 1/2 to 23 1/2 inches. Weight--males, 60 to 75 pounds; females, 55 to 70 pounds.
Fun Facts
The Lab has a distinctive tail. It is covered with thick, short (not feathery) hair. It is wide at the base and tapers to a point. It should not curl over the back. It is called an "otter" tail because of its rounded shape.
Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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!
Comments (21)
elicia moreno April 27, 2009 5:19 PM
my lab is a good lil girl we love her so much and she is a good part of our family i dont know what i would do with out my baby gir princess she is a black lab and she will be 4 on may 1 we love her so much they are good family dogs she loves babys, and kids and most of all she love water i can not keep this dog out of our pool
k Marquart May 14, 2009 9:17 PM
My Black Lab is my best friend by far their is nothing she would not do for me and my family she is 4 years old her birthday is in Oct. she is wonderful with my granddaughters twins two years old Holly is the best and has grown with my family as a loving dog and freind.
TAYLOR&ABBY May 24, 2009 11:07 PM
THERE R SO CUTE THE ONE ON THE LEFT LOOKS LIKE MY DOG CHUBS!!!!!!
qwerty May 25, 2009 2:32 PM
My lab , he is 2 months old , wat shampoo should i use for him , these days his mouth stinks little could u tell me regarding it by mailing me to divyataro@gmail.com
Dorsie Murphy May 26, 2009 3:35 PM
How long after having puppies befor your Lab will come into heat again. THANKS dorsie@tds.net
madeleine May 28, 2009 6:35 PM
my dog is named daisy too and she looks like the one in the middle too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
donnie May 31, 2009 6:13 PM
my grandmother has a dog that has a face that looks like the brown one one the left but it is black. it is so cute and it loves the water so much. it would swim till it drownds. they love children and they need lots of attention. they are a verry good friend and can be your best friend
Katie June 5, 2009 7:52 PM
My dog Lucky is the most sweet beautiful black lab ever she is 3.She has these big warm brown eyes that if you look into them they practically melt your heart,and she just smiles at you and wags her tail its soooo adorable!
awilda June 18, 2009 4:44 PM
I AM DESPERIATELY SEEKING TO ADOPT A LABRADOR RETRIEVER, IF ANYONE KNOWS
ANY INFORMATION IN WHICH I CAN DO SO PLEAZZZZ CONTACT ME @ MY EMAIL IS AS
FOLLOWS- WILLYG58@YAHOO.COM, CONTACT ME PLEAZZZZ!
June 21,2009 1:40 PM June 21, 2009 1:41 PM
your puppies are so cute!I love them so much!
andrew June 22, 2009 10:50 PM
im getting a black lab puppy when do they start to bleed
Maria June 28, 2009 1:44 PM
how many feed up daily 3 times or what for my puppy is 7 week old today???
Maria June 28, 2009 1:46 PM
How many feed up eating daily 3 times a day or whatever for my puppy is breed Labrador Retriever is 7 week old today.
cheyenne July 9, 2009 2:22 PM
I love my dog keisha she is a lab cross boarder collie and she thinks that everyone is her friend. But what do i do when she go's to someone i don't want her to go to???? and what do when she is not being her self, she does all the weirdest of all things and she starts to get growlie at all of the people. What do i do?????????
audrey july13 2009 11:21 July 13, 2009 1:24 PM
My friend got puppies their yellow labs! their names are dax and daisy!
vanessa July 25, 2009 6:53 PM
what do i need to adopt a young labrador at petland
vanessa July 25, 2009 6:59 PM
how much does a young labrador cost and what do i need to have to buy a dog
sukh July 27, 2009 12:13 AM
hey the third one black lab is just like ma lab he s 2 yrs old......
miae August 16, 2009 2:26 AM
i just adopt 15month lab,how many times a day should i feed her?
abbey December 6, 2009 10:16 PM
I cant tell how good of a breed a labrador retriever is! they are loyal and can turn your bad day to a very good day in seconds! i have a yellow lab his name is Gunner and he is my best freind! i will love him forever!
ashley December 6, 2009 10:19 PM
If you ever want a dog, get a labrador retriever they are awesome. Once you have one you will always have one for the rest of you life! they are one of a kind and will change your life the first time wou look them in the eye!! take my advice.....and get a LABRADOR RETRIEVER NOW!!!!
Samantha January 8, 2010 8:23 AM
ApprovedHello,my name is Samantha and I am interested in breeding my Yellow Lab. Hi name is Hogan. He is 3 years old and before we have him neutered we would like to breed him. He is pure bread and very handsome. (I can send photos if you like) So loveable and playful. If you are interested and/or know someone with a female yellow lab that would be interested please let me know. We are located in the NY Metro area. Thank you very much.
Replyadd your comment