Labrador Retriever

Like every breed, the Labrador Retriever is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Always use positive, reward-based training, and seek professional guidance when needed.
• Make training rewarding and enjoyable for both of you.
• As a retrieving breed, teach them to happily give up any prizes they find.
• Give them plenty of exercise and an outlet for their natural behaviours to prevent boisterousness.

• Children

  Often good with children, with supervision.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Often lives with cats when introduced carefully.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Usually needs a roomy home.

• Garden

  A garden is helpful.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Often suits first-time owners.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

  Poor development of the hip or elbow joints causes laxity that eventually leads to arthritis. Breeding dogs should be screened under the BVA/RKC Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia Schemes.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

  A gradual deterioration of the retina that can start with night blindness and progress to total blindness. A DNA test for prcd-PRA is available, and eye testing under the BVA/RKC/ISDS Eye Scheme is also recommended.

• Obesity

  Labradors are prone to putting on weight, so regular body condition checks and enough exercise are important.

• Centronuclear myopathy (CNM)

  A muscle disease that leads to muscle weakness. A DNA test is available and recommended before breeding.

• Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)

  A condition affecting nerve communication during exercise that can cause collapse. A DNA test is available and recommended before breeding.

• Skeletal dysplasia (SD2)

  A form of dwarfism in which the long bones stop growing before they are fully developed. A DNA test is available.

• Other DNA-tested conditions

  The Royal Kennel Club also recommends DNA tests for macular corneal dystrophy, Stargardt disease and hereditary nasal parakeratosis, a condition that causes the nose to dry out and become inflamed.

• Bloat and stomach problems

  The breed is prone to bloating and stomach problems. Smaller, more frequent meals can help reduce the risk.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Labrador Retriever home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Labrador Retriever home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Labrador Retriever suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Labrador Retrievers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.