Labrador Retrievers are sporting dogs.
They were originally bred to retrieve birds, like pheasants. With labs helping them, people long ago could find food to eat.

These days labs can work as assistance dogs for people with disabilities, as search and rescue dogs, as drug detection dogs with the police, and more. They are good companions and sensitive therapy dogs. They enjoy fun activities like flyball and agility.

Labrador Retrievers can grow up to 24 inches tall and weigh between 55-80 pounds. Males are bigger than females. A Labrador retriever’s tail looks very similar to the tail of an otter. Did you know that?.

Which color is your favourite?
Labradors come in three colors: black, yellow ( light cream to fox red), and chocolate (light to dark brown)

Even though a labrador’s hair is short, he will shed. Brushing him once a week will help keep the hair in the brush and not on the floor. Brushing also feels good to your dog and helps keep his skin healthy.

Bathing your Labrador will help keep him clean and smelling good.

A healthy Labrador retriever has two coats. Underneath the beautiful coat that you can see, is a soft, thick undercoat that helps keep him warm and dry.

Labrador retrievers have really cool personalities.
They are friendly, loving, and very patient. They are almost never aggressive (mean). Labs love to be with people and they especially like children.

Labradors need exercise often.

It would be a good thing to walk your Labrador every day even if he has a large yard. Labs are energetic and enjoy being active, playing games, and participating in activities like flyball, agility, swimming, tracking, and obedience. They especially enjoy ball and retrieving games like fetch.

Labradors are easy to train and they are very social. That means they like people and other animals. Labs are happy to hang out with you and do whatever you are doing. They love to play! Spending as much time as you can with your Labrador will make him the happiest dog on earth. A lab can truly be your best friend.

Labs are not shy or nervous dogs, which means they are usually not afraid of things. They are usually very good watchdogs and will bark when they hear or see something unusual. When they are not being a watchdog, labs are friendly, reliable, and trustworthy.

Know your breed.
Labs love to put things in their mouths! They have to be watched very carefully when they are young so they don’t eat anything that could be dangerous. They can also eat your mom’s dining room table, so keep an eye on your growing puppy! There’s one thing that almost all labs want you to know about them – they love to play fetch. Throw a ball and watch them run!

Labs have very good appetites.
They will be happy to eat almost anytime, so lots of exercise and regular meals without too many snacks will help keep him from becoming overweight.

It is important that your lab start learning his manners when he is young. Spend lots of time with him from an early age so he is comfortable with you. Roll him over, touch his feet, look at his teeth, and brush him gently. This will help him get used to being handled and he will be a better companion when he gets older.

Some labs like to get to know new people before becoming their friend. So as your dog grows up, be sure to take him lots of places. Socializing your pup from an early age will help him become comfortable wherever he goes.

Labrador Retrievers are very muscular and strong.
They are very independent which means that sometimes Labs want to do things their own way. You will need to be strong and consistent when you work with your dog.

Labs don’t like to be left alone very much.
They get very lonely when left in the yard with nothing to do. If they get too lonely, they might dig or bark too much.

It’s good to go outside and spend time with your dog, or to let your Labrador in the house. If he has learned the house rules, everyone will be happy to have him in the house.

There is no purebred dog called a Golden Lab.
Your dog is either a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever. Labradors that are a gold color, are usually called yellow labs.