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Labrador Retriever

Price range

$800.00 - $1200.00

Common names

Labrador

Size

Medium

Dog group

Sporting Group

Coat length

Short

Energy

Extra high

Kid friendly

Extra high

Life expectancy

10 to 12 years

Would you like to know what it would cost to insure an Labrador Retriever? Find out by getting a free quote, with petsy pet insurance.

As Seen in

What does an Labrador Retriever look like?

General Appearance of the Labrador Retriever

Strongly built and very active, Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes.

Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known ''otter tail.'' The tail is thick and sturdy and comes off the topline almost straight.

Available in these colours

What colours do Labrador Retriever come in?

Labrador Retriever come in a variety of colours, including Black, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Fawn, Liver, Pheomeanin, Wheaten, White and Lemon, White, Wholly Black, Yellow, Yellow, Black, White and Lemon, Black, Chocolate, Liver, Yellow.

All about the
Labrador Retriever.

The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally known as the 'Labrador Retriever'. The Newfoundland of the early 1800s came in different sizes, one of which was the ?Lesser? or ?St. John?s? Newfoundland?the earliest incarnation of the Labrador. The Labrador Retriever we know today is a medium-sized breed of retriever-gun dog. Historically earning a name as a 'fisherman's helper', known for their assistance in hauling nets, fetching ropes and retrieving fish from the North Atlantic, Labs nowadays are best known for being rescue dogs and guide dogs.

The breed has a heavy body and strong legs, explaining their propensity to be active and high exercise needs. This enthusiastic dog loves to play, and thrives on human company. It has a short coat, consisting of a double coat, protecting it from both cold and hot weather. They have a huge appetite and love to eat, so care must be taken in their diet as they are prone to obesity.

Labradors are known for their affectionate, sweet and friendly demeanour. No wonder they are a popular choice for many pet owners! They make wonderful family pets and are patient and trusting with children. This eager-to-please breed is also very versatile, suiting both families or senior owners.

All about the Labrador Retriever adult stats

Weight

Low 25.00 KG

High 32.00 KG

Height

Low 25.00 cm

High 32.00 cm

Weight

Low 29.00 KG

High 36.00 KG

Height

Low 57.00 cm

High 62.00 cm

Labrador Retriever.

Characteristics & Tendencies:

TENDENCY TO DIG
Snoring
Drooling
Exercise needs
Grooming needs
Barking

Care and Maintenance

Feeding

How much do
Labrador Retriever eat?
2.50 to 3.00 cups of food a day

Exercise

How much
exercise do they need?
30 to 60 Mins

Temperament

Are they kid friendly? Labradors are known to be terrific with children

Living

Do they need a lot of space? Labradors as fairly large and lively dogs need quite a lot of space

Frequently asked questions about the Labrador Retriever.

Labrador Retrievers shed a moderate amount. They generally shed more seasonally, meaning they shed more during the Spring and Autumn months.

Labradors have a double coat, consisting of a soft downy undercoat that helps to keep them dry and warm in colder weather, and a harder outer coat the helps to repel water. Although they have a short coat, it is quite dense. As their coats are short, they do not mat. However, when Labs undergo their seasonal moult, their hair does shed in alarming amounts.

Labradors are easy-care dogs due to their short coats. Regular brushing with a firm, bristle brush once a week should be sufficient to keep your Lab groomed. They should be bathed when necessary or smelly.

Also, take care to regularly clean your Lab's head and ears by gently wiping with a damp cloth or remove any debris or dirt. As their nails are black, this may make it difficult for them to be trimmed. A groomer will help show you how to properly clip your Labrador's nails to prevent an injury to the dog and avoid their blood vessels when clipping. Labradors do not require shaving or clipping of their coats, as their undercoats will help to insulate the dog and keep them warm in cold weather, and cool in warmer weather.

Labradors are exuberant, energetic dogs and therefore need to be taken on a long, brisk walk or jog at least once a day. They tend to gain weight quite easily, so exercise and a proper diet are especially important for the Labrador. A Lab who doesn?t get enough exercise is likely to engage in hyperactive and/or destructive behavior to release pent-up energy. The breed?s favourite activities are retrieving and swimming. Labs also love to burn up energy on hunting trips or at field trials, as well as by participating in canine sports such as agility, obedience, tracking, and dock diving. Many Labs also work hard in important roles such as search-and-rescue, drug and bomb detection, and as service and assistance dogs.

Don?t mistake his easygoing personality for low energy: the Lab is an enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercise, like swimming and marathon games of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit.

Veterinary care is essential to a dog?s health and wellbeing, however the frequency of treatment and checkups will depend on the dog.
Scheduled six-monthly health check visits with your vet are important to ensure your Labrador Retriever is healthy and happy throughout all life stages. In these annual visits, your vet will complete a physical examination, take your dog?s temperature and check his heartbeat, among other things. Routine maintenance for your dog gives you a chance to track your dog?s growth and development and discuss any concerns with your vet, and forms a key part of preventative care.
Labradors are generally a healthy breed, but may be susceptible to obesity and other health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy and cataracts.

Labradors are famous for their loyalty, affection and patience, which make them great family dogs. They are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and enjoy being in the presence of kids. They need to be included in family activities, being naturally social dogs. Gently exposing a Labrador puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months and beginning obedience training early on will help him develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult.

Older pups or mature dogs are often available from breeders and can be a good choice for working people or busy families with young children. Labradors are so adaptable that they usually settle easily into a new family at any age. Whilst they are protective of their families and homes, they are quite happy to greet company as well.

Labradors are very intelligent and trainable, and should be trained and socialised from a young age to ensure they do not become destructive.

Labradors are generally motivated by people, making them eager to please. On top of this, they are also highly motivated by food, making it quite easy to put a rewards-based training regime in place. The Lab's natural obedience and intelligence are traits that have made for their ideal use in field sports, obedience competitions and as search dogs, guide dogs and hearing dogs.

Labradors must be treated fairly when being trained, and do best with a consistent, firm hand.

They love to play and swim and are excellent with other dogs and other pets as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. A Labrador can be a big, powerful, and very playful dog, and a miniature or toy breed will be no match for it if play gets too rambunctious. In general, other household animals should not be at risk if a Labrador is brought home.

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Optional Extra Benefits

During the application process You will be provided with the option to include Optional Extra Benefits that cover certain conditions and Treatments which are not otherwise covered under the Policy.

 

The Optional Extra Benefits are:

Alternative Therapies, Behavioural Problems, and Dental Illness.

 

Examples of Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy

Examples of Behavioural Problems: Excessive licking, fur pulling, pacing and destructive

chewing.

Examples of Dental Illnesses: Dental diseases, gingivitis, periodontal disease.