VPO Pet Resources™ — Breed Guide
Labrador Retriever
Labradors are enthusiastic, food-motivated and quick to learn. Give them a job and daily activity and they settle beautifully into family life.
Temperament
Sociable, optimistic and rarely subtle. Labradors greet the world with enthusiasm, which is lovely at home and worth training early so it stays manageable on a lead.
Activity level
Plan on an hour or more of real activity a day: walking, retrieving, swimming or scent games. An under-exercised Labrador chews, digs and bounces. Wait until growth plates close before long runs with a young dog.
Training
One of the easiest breeds to teach because they will work for food. Use small rewards, keep sessions short and prioritise recall, loose-lead walking and a solid settle. Puppy classes pay for themselves.
Grooming
A dense double coat that sheds year-round and heavily twice a year. Brush two or three times a week, bathe occasionally and dry the ears after swimming.
Family suitability
Excellent with children and other animals, and patient with the noise of a busy home. Their size and momentum mean toddlers should be supervised.
General care
Labradors gain weight easily, so measure meals and skip free-feeding. Watch for hip, elbow and ear problems, and keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current.
VPO PetSafe resources are provided for general educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment.