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Labrador Retriever
The world's most popular family dog — friendly, tireless and endlessly food-motivated.
How to spot it
A strong, well-balanced dog standing about 55–62 cm at the shoulder and weighing 25–36 kg. It has a short, dense, water-resistant double coat in yellow, black or chocolate, a broad head, kind eyes and a thick, tapering "otter" tail.
Temperament
Gentle, outgoing and eager to please, and famously patient with children and other pets. That steady, biddable nature is why it is the top guide-dog, assistance and detection breed almost everywhere.
Exercise & training
A high-energy dog that needs a good hour or more of activity a day and loves to swim and fetch. It learns fast and trains easily — but a bored, under-exercised Labrador will chew and dig.
Grooming & care
The short coat is simple to groom but sheds a lot, heavily twice a year; a weekly brush, daily during the moult, keeps it under control. Labradors gain weight easily, so measure the food and keep it lean.
Health & lifespan
Usually 10–12 years. The breed is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia and some eye conditions — choose a breeder who health-screens the parents, and keeping the dog slim protects its joints.
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