How long do Labrador Retrievers live? Are they a healthy breed?
Labrador Retrievers typically live 10-12 years. Many Labs do live to 12 or 13, but usually with chronic health issues such as arthritis.
Unfortunately, an increasing number of beloved Labs are lost in middle age to inherited forms of cancer or heart disease.
Common orthopedic diseases in Labradors include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and luxating patella (loose knee joints), each of which causes chronic pain and lameness and can require expensive surgery.
Labs are very prone to rupturing the ligaments in their hind legs – expensive surgery again. And if one hind leg ruptures, the other is likely to follow at a later time. Another surgery.
Its a good idea to have pet insurance when you own a Lab.
A number of eye diseases cause blindness in Labrador Retrievers.
The breed is at higher-than-average risk for an emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat, which can kill a healthy dog within hours.
A number of neurological/neuromuscular diseases, some of them deadly, affect Labrador Retrievers.
One example of an odd neuromuscular disease is called exercise-induced collapse. As the name suggests, affected Labradors who have been vigorously exercising suddenly begin swaying, collapse, and require a rest before they can move again.
Here is a complete list of health problems in Labrador Retrievers.
See my advice on → keeping your dog healthy (feeding, vaccinations, neutering, veterinarians, and more).
Are there different “types” of Labrador Retrievers?
Not officially. Theres only the one breed. They come in several colors, yet theyre all Labrador Retrievers. For hunting and field trials, though, black Labs are by far the most common color. In my obedience classes, yellow Labs are often the calmest and most mild-mannered. In contrast, the chocolate Labs Ive worked with have all been very energetic. Of course, it might just be coincidence!
But apart from color, youll definitely see Labs who look quite different from other Labs. Different builds, different body shapes.
In particular, Labrador Retrievers used primarily for hunting and field trials look very different from Labs you see at dog shows that emphasize conformation.
Labrador hunting/field lines are more athletic, agile, and energetic. They have a narrower head, longer muzzle, lankier body, and a sleeker coat.
Labs from show lines are heavier-boned and stockier, with a large blocky head and dense coat.
Even within show lines there are variations, with British/English show lines having the shortest muzzle, shortest legs, and chunkiest build.
To me, those dogs dont really look like the classic Labrador Retriever. But they do tend to be very sweet dogs with mellow temperaments that fit well into many families.
17 Things to Know About Labradors
Good family dogs come with many positive traits. Still, everyone will agree that being loving and affectionate tops the list of characteristics that dog owners will look for in a family dog.
Luckily, Labradors easily pass the test for an affectionate dog and have plenty of other good-family-dog characteristics, as we discuss below.
Labrador Retriever: The Pros & Cons of Owning One
I grew up in a house full of Labrador Retrievers, so Im a little biased, but there are many reasons why labs make great family pets.
Labs make for great pets, but there are a handful of things to keep in mind.
Do you know anything about how labs will act around small animals? I have two Guinea Pigs and I’m currently looking for a lab to be an addition to my family but I’m starting to think that I might not be able to get a dog or may have to give up the guinea pigs.
I’m on my third set of black labs over twenty plus years. We take litter-mates so they have each other and a familiar scent when we share away. None of my labs have ever chewed a piece of furniture or wood trim of house or fence. These black labs are the very best! We did get a dog from The Seeing Eye Dog foundation, she flunked out of the program but was a wonderful loving family pet so yes Che CJ thos organizations for a perfect family pet. You will love your lab, what ever color you choose. 12 year long partner, the end is always sad but the 12 years of joy are irreplaceable! Please walk them, play catch/fetch…….and you will be life’s hero to your dog.
We have a black lab Bella. We got her at 6 wks old. My heart smiles every day. Bella is so very loving and very much in tune with my feelings. Extremely intelligent. Gentle and loving with children. When im sad,or ill, she lays right beside me to comfort me. They make EXCELLENT therapy dogs.
This was very helpful. My family might get a lab, and Ive been researching them for the last month.
My husband and I work full time and have kids that go to school. Should I get a lab?
Our Yellow Lab, Butters, is the absolute best family dog ever. We have 2 younger kids, 5 and 7, and I have no trust issues with our dog. The kids can take a cow bone right out of her mouth, put their hand in her food bowl, or climb on her like a horse. When she was a pup, she ate through my spa cover, destroyed my lawn furniture, ate stucco off my house, ate countless kids toys, and I wouldnt give her up for anything! Labs require lots of patience and cant get enough attention, but they are well worth it. So loyal, so sweet.
We have a 6 yr.old black lab. He chewed on the rocking chair i rocked our baby in. The rest of the time he chewed on my husbands shoes. He is the best. Everything you said is true. Tks s bunchI
There isnt a single point made here that isnt our dog Bart. Hes a chocolate lab, and weve had him since he was 10 weeks old. Im sold on the breed for life.
Thank you for this article. am getting a Lab and I know nothing about dogs and the only thing I heard about a Lab is how they eat your furniture up. Well , needless to say, I have never owned a house so I have not ever had a dog of my own . Great article, and Thank You..
yeah i heard they are really good with young kids and are really protective but wont bite any one
i have three labs one gold two chocolate i just love them so much the best dogs in the whole world, my darlings shilo,zac, and harley.
I have two labs and they are so friendly and sweet. I think they are the best family pets to own.
i really want the labrador retriever it seems like a great family dog, and has a few set backs but its okay, any dog is like that. Labradors are amazing…especially with KIDS!
well my dog begs a lot i dont know what to do i have a golden lab she is 3 years old her name is sadie she is a great dog she loves attention and she loves the snow she is so cute!!! i love her she loves to sleep she is the best dog i have had yet
Labs are the best my first dog was a lab and she lived for 9 years but she was great and now I have 2 more lab pups and they love to run and especially swim and every chance they have the will lay on my lap.
So true! I love this hub… My chocolate lab Theo is certainly a lap dog and takes the first opportunity to scramble up for a cuddle!
They really are great dogs – highly intelligent and wonderful family companions. But I will echo the sentiment that Labradors – especially as puppies or if left alone – will resort to chewing.CLOSECLOSECLOSECLOSE