Retriever (Labrador) illustration
Gundog

Retriever (Labrador)

Popular pet, service dog, guide dog and working gundog

Breed characteristics

Size
Large
Exercise
More than 2 hours per day
Size of home
Large house
Grooming
Once a week
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
Over 10 years
Vulnerable native breed
No
Town or country
Either
Size of garden
Large garden

About this breed

The Labrador is the most popular of all pedigree breeds and his popularity comes from his versatility as family companion, service dog, guide dog as well as a working gundog.

The breed originates from Newfoundland, which from the 16th century was renowned for the fishing industry with well-established trading routes between England and Canada. Dogs were used there to help fishermen retrieve nets and lost lines and pull carts loaded with fish. The Newfoundland dogs were smaller than they are today and a smaller variety was known as the St John’s dog. It is thought that these breeds crossed with hunting dogs taken to Newfoundland by English traders and fishermen formed the basis for the modern Labrador.

Some of the dogs resulting from this breeding were taken back to England where their retrieving skills were recognised by the sporting gentry. One of the early patrons of the breed, the Earl of Malmesbury gave the breed its name. The first breed club was founded in 1916.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Gundog breed group

Dogs that were originally trained to find live game and/or to retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. This group is divided into four categories - Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers and Setters - although many of the breeds are capable of doing the same work as the other sub-groups. They make good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs.

 

Colour Watch

Category 4: Breeds with >30% registered NBS colours or more than 1000 NBS registrations per annum

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours 

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

  • Black
  • Chocolate
  • Liver
  • Yellow

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour, it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog. Health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Non-breed-standard colours in this breed include:

  • (NBS) Charcoal
  • (NBS) Champagne
  • (NBS) Silver

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed-standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registration process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Dilute coat colour DNA test

We record the results for a dilute coat colour DNA test (d1) for Labrador Retrievers on our database. This particular gene variant affects the colouring of a dog’s hair, eyes and skin, including their nose, making them paler than expected (dilute). Learn more out about this DNA test and find a list of dogs that have tested clear for this dilute variant.

Health

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Other health schemes and tests available

*The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

  • Centronuclear myopathy (CNM)
  • Exercise induced collapse (EIC)*
  • Hereditary nasal parakeratosis (HNPK)*
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)
  • Skeletal dysplasia 2 (SD2)
  • Stargardt disease (STGD)
  • Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD)
  • Dilute (D-locus, d1 variant)
  • DNA profile (SNP ISAG 2020)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

EIC and HNPK are included in our enhanced package only. 

Find out more about The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email either 

Lynda Heron

or Joy Venturi-Rose

Breed watch

Category 2

Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.

Read more

Breeding restrictions

There are a number of The Kennel Club rules and regulations that may prevent a litter from being registered, find out about our general and breed specific breeding restrictions below.

More about breeding

Where the two parent dogs are both yellow it is only genetically possible to produce yellow puppies. Therefore, The Kennel Club will only accept the registration of yellow puppies from this mating.

Where the two parent dogs are both chocolate (liver) it is only genetically possible to produce chocolate (liver) or yellow puppies. Therefore, The Kennel Club will only accept the registration of chocolate (liver) or yellow puppies from this mating.

Looking for a puppy?

Looking for a Retriever (Labrador)? Explore our list of puppies and rescue dogs for sale near you.

More information

Need to find out more about a breed?

Use our Find a Club service where you can locate breed clubs that can offer support and advice.

Find a Club
Labrador and girl

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The Kennel Club's Find a Puppy service provides contact details for breeders who have puppies available. Let's help you find your new best friend.

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