Labrador Retriever
拉布拉多尋回犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Labrador Retriever is a sturdy, friendly gundog that started life as a fisherman's helper in Newfoundland and is now one of the most popular family dogs in both Hong Kong and Canada. Labs are outgoing, eager to please and very energetic; they need a lot of daily exercise, love swimming and retrieving, and gain weight easily if under-exercised or over-fed.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 55–62cm |
| Weight | 25–36kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: sporting FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 4/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 3/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 3/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Heart conditions
Certain heart conditions are reported in the breed; breeders may have breeding stock examined by a veterinary cardiologist. Ask your vet about heart checks at routine visits.
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
Deep-chested dogs of this breed are at risk of bloat, a life-threatening emergency. Ask your vet about the warning signs and prevention options.
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)
An inherited condition reported in the breed; a DNA test identifies carriers. Ask your breeder about EIC status and your vet if your dog wobbles or collapses after intense exercise.
Centronuclear myopathy (CNM)
An inherited muscle condition reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about CNM testing.
Skeletal dysplasia / dwarfism
A form of skeletal dysplasia is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Hereditary nasal parakeratosis
Hereditary nasal parakeratosis (crusting of the nose) is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Stargardt disease
Stargardt disease (a retinal condition) is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Macular corneal dystrophy
Macular corneal dystrophy is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Behaviour
Famously friendly and eager to please
Both the AKC and CKC describe the Lab as kindly, outgoing and non-aggressive, bonding with the whole family and getting on well with children and other dogs. This friendliness means the breed is not a natural guard dog.
High energy — needs a real outlet
The AKC warns that a Lab who does not get enough exercise is likely to become hyperactive or destructive. Retrieving and swimming are the breed's favourite activities; obedience, agility and dock diving also suit them.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 5/5 (very high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "more than 2 hours per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Labrador Retriever
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Retriever Labrador (Sporting Dogs)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Retriever Labrador
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise more than 2 hours per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Labrador Retriever (standard no. 122, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club expects responsible breeders to hold hip, elbow, eye and EIC clearances; owners are told that EIC episodes typically appear 5–15 minutes into intense, high-excitement exercise as a wobbly gait or hind-leg weakness, so stop the activity and let the dog rest and cool down, then talk to your vet.”
— The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. (public health pages) via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Labrador Retriever — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Retriever Labrador — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Retriever Labrador — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Labrador Retriever — FCI standard no. 122 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Health Issues — The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. — The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. (public health pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.