Retriever (Labrador)
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.
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
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 Retriever Labrador puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. That's why we've teamed up with Weatherbys Scientific, a leading DNA testing lab, to create our breed specific packages.
To support your health testing journey, we provide our tailored Retriever (Labrador) Breed-Specific DNA Package. Giving you the information you need about potential health risks, this package includes screening for Centronuclear myopathy (CNM), Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), Skeletal dysplasia 2, (SD2 Stargardt disease (STGD), Macular corneal dystrophy (MCD), Dilute (D-locus, d1 variant) and DNA Profile (SNP - ISAG 2020).
7 essential tests valued at £375 for just £150, that screen for multiple conditions at once, saving you time and providing vital health information.
More about health
We advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.
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.
- Hip dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Elbow dysplasia screening scheme (BVA/KC)
- Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS) - Find results for the pre 2020 MRD open register. This only lists dogs that were diagnosed as 'affected by MRD'. MRD results published after 31 Dec 2019 can be found in their Health Test Results Finder entry
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.
- DNA test - prcd-PRA - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services* (see below). Find a list of tested dogs or find a list of dogs tested with the prcd-PRA linkage test that is no longer available
- DNA test - CNM - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - EIC - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - HNPK - *part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - SD2 - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of tested dogs
- DNA test - MCD - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of health tested dogs
- DNA test - STGD - part of The Kennel Club DNA Testing Services. Find a list of health tested dogs
- Check inbreeding calculators
*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
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.
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.
Use our Find a Puppy service
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