The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular and well-known dog breeds in existence, and it has earned its spot in our homes (and hearts) for several reasons. This breed profile examines the beloved breed in further detail and will fill you in on everything you need to know about the Labrador Retriever, including important information on its intelligence, temperament, expected lifespan, breed-specific health issues, and even more.
1. Labrador Retrievers Originated in the 1800s
Labrador Retrievers have a rich history that dates all the way back to the 1800s in the Newfoundland colony. The breed was originally created by crossing the European settlers’ St. John’s Water Dog fishing breed with British hunting dogs when they were brought over to British shores. The dog was first imported to England in 1830 by Alexander Ramey-Home (formally known as the 10th Earl of Home) to be used as a gun dog.
In no time, Labrador Retrievers established themselves as excellent gun dogs who were particularly skilled at retrieving. Soon, they became the game hunter’s most trusted companion. By 1870, the breed was found all over England. By the time 1903 rolled around, Labrador Retrievers were officially recognized by The Kennel Club followed by the American Kennel Club fourteen years later.
Labrador Retrievers are known to be one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Only the French Bulldog is more popular in North America.
2. Labrador Retrievers Are an Intelligent Dog Breed
You might look at a Labrador Retriever and think they’re not the brightest breed in the kennel. What with that goofy grin-like mouth and boundless playful energy practically vibrating off them, who could blame you? But the truth is that you’d be incorrect in this assumption because Labrador Retrievers are smart. In fact, they’re super smart – this is one dog breed that you’ll never find on the list of least intelligent dog breeds.
Labrador Retrievers are extremely trainable and will understand a new command in five repetitions or less. And what’s more, is that a whopping 95% of the time they get it right and obey the first command.
According to “The Intelligence of Dogs” and public consensus alike, Labrador Retrievers are the 7th most intelligent dog breed alive today. The only dog breeds that are smarter than the Labrador Retriever are – in their ranked order – the Shetland Sheepdog, Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog, Poodle, and Border Collie.
3. Labrador Retrievers LOVE Water
Given the fact that they are descended from a breed that literally has the word “water” in its name (St. John’s Water Dog), it should come as no surprise to read that Labrador Retrievers love water. They’re genetically programmed to do so, and they’re one of the dog breeds that enjoy swimming the most.
Labrador Retrievers have long legs, water-resistant coats (more on that a little later!), and webbed feet, all of which make them exceptionally strong swimmers. Plus, that long tail of theirs seems to double as a paddle when it’s submerged!
This breed is naturally great at swimming, and most Labrador Retrievers will relish the opportunity to take a dip. And you should let them! Swimming is one of the best forms of exercise that you can give a Labrador Retriever. If you daydream about long runs with your dog, a Labrador Retriever is bound to be your dream dog.
4. Labrador Retrievers Excel at Many Jobs
Labrador Retrievers might not be used much as hunting companions these days, but they’re still working dogs through and through. This breed is one of the best working dog breeds in the world. Labrador Retrievers are often the perfect breed for particular tasks.
Notably, Labrador Retrievers make excellent service, therapy, and ESA dogs. They’re known to have an incredible work ethic and an eagerness to please and this, coupled with their sturdy build, makes them fantastic assistance dogs. Naturally, their incomparable retrieval skills serve them well in this area, with some being trained to perform tasks such as collecting mail from mailboxes or even retrieving cash from ATMs.
They’ve long been associated with being guide dogs, and that’s because they’re the most popular breed amongst the visually impaired. In several countries, including Italy, Labrador Retrievers are used as lifeguards and water rescue dogs. Within the police and military arena, Labrador Retrievers are often used in search-and-rescue missions, and many have detection duties. Talk about an all-rounder!
5. Labrador Retrievers Are an English Dog Breed
By now, you know all about how early Labrador Retrievers were brought from Newfoundland, which is where the appropriately named Newfoundland dog also comes from.
England is known for breeding and developing dogs, and more than half the dog breeds all around the world have roots planted in the soil of the United Kingdom. Labrador Retrievers are known and loved around the world, but it is very much an English dog, along with:
- Airedale Terriers
- Beagles
- Bedlington Terriers
- Border Collies
- Bullmastiffs
- Bulldogs
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
- Golden Retrievers
- Greyhounds
- Manchester Terriers
- Shetland Sheepdogs
- Springer Spaniels
- Otterhounds
- Pitbulls
- Whippets
It’s worth noting that, although this English dog really is a staggeringly well-liked breed, the Labrador Retriever is found in abundance in the United States of America. It has been the most popular dog in America for several years.
6. “Eager, Energetic, and Even-Tempered”: Labrador Retrievers
For decades now, Labrador Retrievers have been found at the top of the most popular dog breeds list. If you’ve ever spent time with this breed or taken a look through its laundry list of personality traits, you’ll know why this is the case.
Some dog breeds have it all: the beauty, the brains, and the personality. And the Labrador Retriever is the perfect example of such a breed. This dog is loved and admired for many things, but mainly for the character traits and personality patterns that it is known to have. A Labrador Retriever’s temperament can be described as:
- Active
- Agile
- Eager
- Energetic
- Even-tempered
- Friendly
- Gentle
- Kind
- Outgoing
- Trusting
- Very intelligent
There is a common myth surrounding a Labrador Retriever’s character and color. Some believe that the color of a Labrador Retriever’s coat can impact their temperament, claiming – for example – that yellow Labrador Retrievers are the laziest of all the other colors, but the science doesn’t quite back this claim up just yet. Speaking of coat colors…
7. Labrador Retrievers Come in Many Colours
Now, let’s take a look at the Labrador Retriever’s short double coat. Unlike other dog breeds which come in several different colors (like the Irish Wolfhound and its 12 coat colors), Labrador Retrievers only have three possible shade options. Labrador Retriever coats are either:
- Black
- Chocolate
- Yellow
Of the three coat color options, chocolate (dark brown) is the least common coat, while black coats are the most common. Yellow coats fall somewhere in between. It is worth noting that, in some very rare cases, Labrador Retrievers may appear to be red or white, but these both fall under the “yellow” coat classification. Likewise, a Labrador Retriever may appear silver or gray, but these are classed as diluted chocolate shades.
The official breed standard for the Labrador Retriever describes the breed’s coat as: “Short, straight, and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The Labrador should have a soft, weather-resistant undercoat that provides protection from water, cold, and all types of ground cover.”
8. Labrador Retrievers Live 10 to 13 Years
And finally, let’s look at the lifespan of a Labrador Retriever. When it comes to their life expectancy, the lifespan of a Labrador Retriever is on par with other breeds of a similar size. The typical lifespan of this breed is 10 to 13 years, with the median age being 12 years.
The longest-living Labrador Retriever to grace this Earth was an old boy called Adjutant (1936 – 1963), who lived to the ripe old age of 27 years and 3 months before passing away. He holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest known Labrador Retriever. Labrador Retrievers are generally healthy breeds, but they’re known to develop arthritis, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and hip dysplasia.
Interestingly, though the color of the Labrador Retrievers coat is not linked to their character, it is linked to their overall life expectancy. A 2018 Canine Medicine and Genetics study revealed that chocolate-colored Labrador Retrievers have a shorter lifespan than both other colors. While the median age for yellow and black Labrador Retrievers is 12 years, the median age for chocolate Labrador Retrievers is just 10.7 years.
