Whether you’re a first-time owner or a lifelong pet person, this is your happy place. Pick your pet, meet the breed, and pick up care tips, fun facts and the right food to keep them thriving.
- 1Choose your pet
- 2Choose a breed
- 3Meet your pet
Dog breed guide
Labrador Retriever
Everybody's best friend, with a very big appetite.
- OriginNewfoundland, Canada (refined in the UK)
- SizeLarge, 25 to 36 kg
- Lifespan10 to 12 years
- EnergyHigh
- GroomingWeekly brushing, sheds a lot
About the breed
Labs trace back to the working water dogs of Newfoundland, who helped fishermen haul nets and retrieve lines. British breeders refined them in the 1800s as gundogs that would happily fetch waterfowl from icy water, and that retrieving instinct is still strong today.
Personality
Friendly, outgoing and eager to please. Labs love people, other dogs and pretty much everything edible, and they stay puppy-like for years.
Care tips
Exercise
Around an hour or more a day. Fetch and swimming are perfect. A bored Lab is a chewing Lab.
Grooming
Their water-resistant double coat sheds year-round. Brush weekly and more often in shedding season.
Health
Prone to weight gain, hip and elbow dysplasia, and ear infections (especially after swimming). Keep them lean and dry their ears.
Recommended food
Labs will eat until they burst, so measure portions and choose a quality adult formula. Large-breed and joint-support recipes suit them well as they age. Use treats sparingly, or swap in a piece of their daily kibble.
Fun facts
- Their thick, otter-like tail works like a rudder when they swim.
- Labs are one of the most popular breeds worldwide and are often trained as guide and assistance dogs.
- The three classic colours are black, yellow and chocolate.
This guide is general information to help you get started. It isn’t a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your animal best.