Labrador Retriever
A sturdy retrieving breed whose appetite often outruns the joints. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult; a licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan. Confirm that plan before you bring the animal home.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 55–80 lb (25–36 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 11–13 years |
| Grooming | 2 of 5 |
| Energy | 5 of 5 |
| Apartment | Better with more space |
Which kennel clubs recognize this breed?
The American Kennel Club in the United States, The Kennel Club in the United Kingdom, and the Australian National Kennel Council publish a conformation standard for this breed. Those standards describe appearance and typical temperament. They do not predict an individual dog's health, and a veterinarian still has to examine your dog.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult Labrador Retriever starts near 1,400 kcal/day, with about 60 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
Measure meals. Labs will eat past fullness, and a lean adult protects hips and elbows better than a glossy overweight coat; measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target. Ask a veterinarian before you add supplements or switch to a homemade recipe.
Calculate Labrador Retriever's Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Obesity
CommonWatch for: Ribs that are hard to feel and a waist that has disappearedCheck this sign in symptom triageHip and elbow dysplasia
CommonWatch for: Stiffness after rest or a bunny-hopping runCheck this sign in symptom triageEar infections
CommonWatch for: Head shaking, odor, or redness in the canalCheck this sign in symptom triageExercise-induced collapse
UrgentWatch for: Wobbly hind legs during hard fetch that improve with restCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should Labrador Retriever owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical Labrador Retriever, including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
How much exercise does an adult Labrador need?
Plan on about an hour a day of walks, swimming, or training, split so the dog can cool down. Puppies need shorter sessions so growing joints are not overloaded. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.
Why do Labradors gain weight so easily?
Many have a strong food drive and will finish another dog's bowl. Weigh the food, use the calorie calculator, and recheck body condition every month. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.