Sporting breed Large size 25-36 kg

Labrador Retriever

A friendly, forgiving all-rounder that tolerates family chaos - if you keep its weight and exercise honest.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
25-36 kg · 55-62 cm
High
Exercise needs
1-2 hours of active exercise daily
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Half a workday, with preparation
Learns fast
Training
Picks up new cues in a few reps
Low
Coat care
Weekly brushing
Excellent
Fit with kids
Patient even with chaotic small kids
Good
Other pets
Good with early socialization
Moderate
Health burden
Hips, elbows, weight gain

The Labrador Retriever typically weighs 25-36 kg, stands 55-62 cm, and lives 11-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want an easygoing family dog that forgives beginner mistakes,
you can give 1-2 hours of daily exercise and some training,
you'll stay strict about food, because this breed gains weight fast,
you want a sociable dog that gets along with kids and other pets.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a calm, low-energy couch dog, especially in the young years,
you can't commit to daily exercise and portion control,
you're away for long full days with no plan for company,
a boisterous, mouthy adolescent phase would overwhelm you.

A typical day with a Labrador Retriever

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    45-60 min walk, run, or fetch to take the edge off
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest and chew time; a tired Lab settles happily
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk or a food puzzle to work the brain
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or a swim - Labs love water and retrieving
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Longer walk or play session with the family
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sleeps near its people, content after a full day

Temperament and training

Trainability Very high
Drive to work High
Sensitivity Moderate
Independence Low
Playfulness Very high
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Overfeeding and free-feeding a breed that gains weight easily · Underestimating the energy and mouthiness of the first two years · Skipping training because the dog is friendly, then losing control of a strong adult

Family and environment

Kids Excellent
Patient and sturdy; watch that an excited young Lab doesn't bowl over toddlers.
Dogs Good
Typically social and friendly with other dogs.
Cats Good
Usually fine, especially raised together; some chase from play, not malice.
Apartment Conditional
Workable with serious daily exercise, but it's a big, active dog.
House with a yard Ideal
Room to play suits it; a yard doesn't replace walks.
City Suitable
Adaptable and steady in busy environments with exercise.
Countryside Ideal
Space, water, and room to retrieve match the breed.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screened lines lower the risk
Elbow dysplasia Signs often before 2 years
Obesity-related joint disease The breed gains weight easily

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Same friendly all-rounder, longer coat
Golden Retriever
A gentle, biddable family dog that fits almost any household - as long as you accept heavy shedding and one of the higher cancer burdens among popular breeds.
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More trainable working alternative
German Shepherd
A loyal, highly trainable working dog that needs a job and a confident handler - and carries a well-documented joint and spine burden.
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Smaller, easygoing family dog
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Labrador Retriever cost?
Expect roughly $1,000-$2,500 from a health-testing US breeder, with proven working or show lines higher. The purchase is the smaller part: a large, active dog means steady food, training, and vet costs for life, and the breed's joint and weight-related risks can add up. Budget for insurance or a fund, with lifetime costs commonly in five figures.
Are Labradors good family dogs?
Yes - they are one of the most reliable family breeds: friendly, patient with children, forgiving of mistakes, and sociable with other pets. The catch is energy. A young Lab is boisterous and mouthy, so families do best when they can meet its exercise needs and put in early training.
How long can a Labrador be left alone?
An adult can usually manage around half a workday once it's built up to it. Labs are people-oriented and thrive on company, so regular full days alone tend to bring boredom, chewing, and weight gain from inactivity. They fit best in a home that includes them in daily life.
Do Labradors calm down with age?
Yes. The high-energy, mouthy phase runs through the first two to three years, and most Labs settle into a calmer, still-playful adulthood, especially with consistent exercise and training. The early years are the real test - a bored young Lab can be destructive.