5 Things You Need To Know About Labrador Retrievers

Labrador Retriever is a dog breed of medium-large retriever. Labs are one of the most popular breeds of dog in the world. The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador began as a sporting breed, but for several years he has been the most popular family dog in the United States.

Labrador is famous for his friendship. They’re friendly housemates who bond with the whole family, they socialize well with neighboring dogs and peoples. The Lab is an enthusiastic athlete who needs a lot of exercises to stay physically and mentally fit, such as swimming and marathon games of fetch.

Dog Breed
Sporting

Life Span
10-12 years

Weight
55-80 lbs.

Height
21.5-24.5 in.

Here are 5 things you need to know about Labrador Retrievers:

1. Where did the Labrador Retriever come from?

Labrador Retrievers come from the island of Newfoundland off Canada’s northeastern Atlantic coast. At the beginning of the 1700s, Labs served as companions and helpers to the local fishermen.

In the mid-1800s, several of these dogs were brought back to England where they became very popular. Especially after the 1899’s, when the first yellow Labrador appeared for the first time mixed in with a litter of black Labradors, and the first yellow Lab became quite popular. So, therefore, that it isn’t to believe that all modern yellow laboratories are descendants of this first recorded yellow Labrador from the 1899’s!

In the 1903’s, the Labrador was registered by the Kennel Club of England (KC). He was brought to America at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1917’s, this breed of dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). According to the AKC, Labs became the most popular dog registered in the United States. They’re also top on the list in Canada and United Kingdom.

Today, labs play a much extensive role, especially in search, hunting, drug detection, water conservation, rescue, and tracking.

2. Size

Labrador males height 22.5 to 24.5 inches and weigh 65 to 80 pounds. Whereas, Labrador females height 21.5 to 23.5 inches, and weigh 55 to 70 pounds.

3. Color

Unlike many other breeds, the Labrador can be found in three colors, they are:

• Black
• Chocolate
• Yellow

Some claim that the black Labs are the best hunters, while yellow Labs are the laziest of the breed, but none of these claims are scientifically supported. Like humans, every dog is different and some breeders develop their stock for its skills in the field. However, none of these differences are directly dependent on the color of the dog.

4. Record Holder

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), Labs are one of the most popular family dog breeds in the United States of America for the past 24 years, more than any other dog breed.
Famous peoples who’ve owned Labs including Former U.S. President Bill Clinton (William Jefferson Clinton), whose chocolate Lab, was the first Labrador to be America’s 1st pet.  Other famous peoples who’ve owned Labs include England’s Prince William, musician Sarah McLachlan, actors Minnie Driver, Drew Barrymore, Edie Falco, Mary Kate, and Kevin Costner.

5. Health Woes

Labrador retrievers are common health conditions including arthritis, obesity, skin allergies, ear infections, osteoarthritis, and benign skin growth. They can also suffer from eye issues, such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, and retinal dysplasia. Labs need between 45 and 90 minutes of exercise each day.