Labrador Retriever Characteristics
The Labrador we love has distinct physical and behavioral characteristics. These can differ between the show and working types, but there are common Labrador traits that both varieties share. Your Labrador will be friendly, sociable and often exuberant in personality.
The Lab loves human companionship, but is first and foremost a retriever. Your dog was bred for generations to stay close to their human partner. Waiting patiently until asked to fetch a game bird from the undergrowth. They needed to be able to follow directions, and deliver a retrieve quickly and carefully to hand. The Labrador’s highly co-operative and intelligent temperament reflects that role perfectly. And it is what has made him such a perfect fit for so many other roles in our society.
- Labrador characteristics are a result of their original purpose.
- Physical Labrador characteristics.
- Athletic abilities.
- Behavioral and personality based Labrador characteristics.
If you are thinking of bringing a Labrador into your life you need to know what you are getting into. This honest review and assessment of Labrador Retriever characteristics and temperament, will help you decide whether this magnificent breed of dog is the right companion for you at this point in your life. We’ll be looking at the Labrador’s aptitudes and abilities, his personality traits and his renowned temperament.
The Labrador’s Original Purpose
Your Labrador’s characteristics are a direct result of their history and purpose.
The Labrador falls into the category of ‘sporting breeds’ of dog. The history of his development as the world’s favorite gundog is a fascinating story. The origins of the Labrador have had a profound influence on his appearance, personality and behavior.
The original fisherman’s friend
The Labrador was originally bred as a fisherman’s companion, working alongside the men and women who inhabited the inhospitable island of Newfoundland, long before modern conveniences, and technology was available. This was a job requiring a waterproof coat thick enough to withstand very low temperatures, and an ability to swim in strong currents and for long periods of time.
Imported to England, the Lab’s role changed to that of shooting companion, where his skill at finding game, his ability to carry objects in his mouth without harming them, and his intelligence and biddable temperament would make him the world’s finest retriever.
A talented dog
Labrador characteristics diverged them into many different roles over time. From therapy dog, to military dog, to companion – and his competence at everything he is asked to do, has defined him. He is clearly a dog of many talents.
Physical characteristics of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador retriever is a sturdily built medium to large dog. He may weigh anything from 50 to 80lbs once adult, depending on his breeding. He has a well-proportioned body with a healthy balance between length of leg and length of spine. A shape that is often described as ‘short coupled’.
What does a pedigree Labrador look like?
The distinguishing features of the Labrador Retriever are well known. He has a broad skull with ‘chiselled’ features that are softened by his kindly expression and soft ear flaps. His body is powerful and well muscled and ends in a thick tail that tapers to a point. His full length muzzle houses a good cooling system and a strong set of jaws with a full compliment of 42 large white teeth.
English Labs have a broader chest, heavier build and blocky head. American Labrador characteristics are more reminiscent of their working ancestors, with a slimmer shape and less rigid conformation to the breed standard.
The Labrador Retriever’s Coat
The Labrador’s short dense ‘wash and go’ coat comes in one of three gleaming solid colors and needs little grooming to keep it looking smart.
The coat has a shining slightly oily surface and the individual hairs are straight. Although a slight ripple can be seen along the back of some dogs once the adult coat is established. A thick undercoat and the water resistant top coat keep your Labrador warm in the coldest water. And a quick shake on emerging from the sea or lake, sees the majority of the water removed from its repellant surface.
The genetics of Labrador coat color is interesting and more straightforward to understand than many other breeds of dog. Strictly speaking Labradors come in only three colors. Yellow, Chocolate, which used to be called Liver, and Black. Yellow shades range from the palest white to a deep red.
You can also get dilute versions of each coat color that express as champagne, silver and charcoal respectively.
Overall appearance of the Labrador
His sleek water resistant coat, soft flapped ears and thick otter tail give the Labrador an almost seal-like appearance. In the water, this likeness is intensified. He looks as at home there as he clearly feels, swimming low in the water and confidently powered by strong webbed paws.
On land he is equally sleek and powerful, giving the overall appearance of a fit and healthy canine athlete.
The Labrador’s athletic ability
The Labrador is a versatile dog who can sprint at speed over short distances or maintain an easy loping stride that will carry him for mile after mile. For a moderately large dog he is surprisingly agile, capable of jumping heights well in excess of a metre. The extent of his physical prowess may vary depending on the type or group of Labradors he belongs to, and we’ll look more closely at that in a moment.
Labrador Retriever temperament traits
The Labrador’s kind expression is mirrored by his kind nature. His easy going, tolerant temperament and love of water are hallmarks of the breed, but of course, not all Labradors fit this breed description precisely.
It is fair to say that sometimes poor temperament traits such as aggression and nervousness can appear in the breed. But is it also fair to say that this is not the norm.
Special Labrador characteristics
Born from generations of being bred for retrieving in the shooting field, the Labrador has some special and important breed features. His gentle mouth, is capable of carrying delicate items with great care, and his urge to pick up and carry things is strong. His ability to track items by scent alone is extraordinary and it is no surpise that Labradors are so sought after by bomb disposal teams, customs and excise authorities and those engaged in sports where tracking is involved.
Labrador Retriever Personality
Many people are convinced that their Labrador has a sense of humor, and some Labradors are extremely playful, and not just as puppies. Others can be bumptious, clumsy, and bouncy, especially when young. Temperament, abilities and general personality may of course vary somewhat from individual to individual.
English Labrador characteristics tend a little more towards the serious, where American Labs are more sensible, driven and high strung.
Retrieving ability in Labradors
Most Labradors, even those from show stock have an inborn urge to retrieve things. This is often reflected in their fondness for carrying things around in their mouths and even chewing things up. The basic urge to chase and pick things up is of course a result of generations of breeding for the Labrador Retrievers’ original purpose. The instinct to bring those things back can be more variable!
(paid link)Who are Labradors well suited for?
Despite the fact that Labradors are so popular, some people are not well suited to life with one. The Labrador is a large dog that is boisterous and destructive when young, sheds copious amounts of hair and has a particular affection for mud and rolling in dead things. Labradors are social and affectionate dogs. Your puppy won’t like being left alone for long periods of time. Daily dog care is essential if you work full time.
If you are not house proud and have time to exercise train, and simply be with, an athletic, affectionate, and powerful dog. You might well enjoy life with a Lab.
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Why do yellow labs have more noticeable pronounced hanging jowls ?
Connie
Hi Pippa!
It is wonderful to read your article. I have learned many things about Labradors. I have a 2 years old, medium-sized yellow female English Labrador x Aspin (Philippine Dog). She’s really adorable, loving and intelligent chubby lab. And she definitely love vegetables than meat and she doesn’t eat dog foods, just plain rice with vegetables and little meat since she frequently snobs the meat in her meals. She always play with our male Belgian Mallinois dog and other mixed breed Aspins.😊
Thanks for this information Pippa!
Hi Pippa i read your detailed article and it was really a joy to read some of the points that i did not knew before like you mentioned English and American Labrador breed types their differences and characteristics that was absolutely phenomenal and informative to read. Very Well described that who are the people that can probably own a Labra or who can not.
I have an very nice yellow lab of 6 months old she is very big and I love her but when she go out in the yard and I call her she will not come bag, what do I wrong, I give her love, I give her when she come bag dog candy, I say hello love girl but she will outside not listen .
Hi Ellen, we have an article on teaching a dog recall that might help. But, if this still doesn’t work, our guide on how to correct a dog that ignores recall may be better. Meg
It’s really interesting that you said that retrievers were originally bred to be a fisherman’s friend. When I was a kid, I had a golden retriever and he was an excellent swimmer. I didn’t know that was because he was made for it!
Hi,I have 4 1/2 month old yellow Labrador,jumps up bites my clothes and arms,not lower body,he also bares his teeth at me when I put him in hallway,he is hyperactive.and yaps,on the good side will sit,give paws for treats,very intelligent,have had 3 Labradors over the years,but not like Buster help please .
Hi my 3 year old choc lab keeps refusing to go out on a walk. She only wants to go one way and if i try a different way she lies down and refuses to move. I have tried treats and toys but she takes them but still wont move.
I disagree with the content of the article that states there is no such thing as a fox red lab, and that they are only a ‘variation of the color yellow’. I have a very red dog who is very much a Labrador through and through. (If only I could share a pic in this post…) there are many different colors for many different breeds, just because the AKC does not recognize them does not mean they do not exist. My family has owned AKC yellow labs, chocolate labs, and golden retrievers. My husband and I welcome our first fox red lab into our home a year ago and I have never received so many compliments on such a beautiful, well tempered dog.
Hi there – I wrote the article and I have fox red labs myself so I know just how great they are 🙂 The article was just pointing out that ‘officially’ they are all classed as yellow – not suggesting that fox reds don’t exist. Have a look at our fox reds article for some great fox red puppy pics https://www.thelabradorsite.com/fox-red-labrador/
My yellow lab has papers, but she also has very wavy fur from her neck to her tail. The Vet thinks she may be mixed with Chesapeke Bay Retriever. Can a purebred have wavy fur?
Hi Pippa, i have rescued a dog who looks like a yellow lab and pretty much and acts like one but may be a mix bread. I say this because her tongue is pink and black.Please reply to this. Thanks, PegPegp
What is your question Peg?
What color is a yellow lab’s tongue?
hi pippa i have 1yr old labrador and it meets me before 3days just i want know that why he is try to lay on me and some times he bark on me so what i do i am from india…..
I brought a baby femal lab,but i dont konw it is original lab or not .how can we identify it as a original or any other
This is the article you need https://www.thelabradorsite.com/is-my-dog-purebred/
Hi Pippa
I am adopting a puppy in the next couple of months. ..I have read many articles on the characteristics of Labs…I do not see any distinctive character feature based on the colour of the Lab. Would this be correct?
Thank you, Caroline
Have a look at this article Caroline, https://www.thelabradorsite.com/which-labrador-colour/ and join the forum to talk to lots of labrador owners of each colour http://thelabradorforum.com
Hello. I have Black Labrador who lost his leg by chasing cars and he still does it. Is there any way to stop this bad habit? I’ve tried keeping him inside and chaining him up before leaving and he still does it. Please I don’t want him to get hit again.
Hi Shawn, Any dog is at risk from traffic. You need to make sure your labrador does not have access to roads and cars! Keep him indoors or in a safe fenced area, and exercise him in a safe area away from traffic. This article may help https://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-proofing-your-garden/
I had a American Yellow Lab for 11-1/2yrs.He was great when young,he wanted to hump a lot.As he got older,he was much better.To me,Labs are great dogs but when you get a puppy whether Lab or other breed it is a lot of work,but worth it because they give you great happiness + love.I would rather live with a lab than a person who is going to aggravate me + give me a hard time.Randy was like a son to me from 4 months to 11-1/2yrs.He died from Larangial Paralysis(Lyranz closes + hard to breath).He started to cough + thought maybe asthma or something else.His vet said it was the climate(July).I no accept+ took him to Animal Medical Center+ was told Larengia Paralysis.When other side of strange closed,he would dy+he did.In 2,010,Randy was vomiting lots+took him to Animal Med.Ctrl.+had stomach tumor that cost me lots of money,but was worth it.He passed on 12/19+my Xmas was very sad.I finally replaced him with a female yellow lad and she is great.I am very,very happy I got her.I’ve had a female German Shepard,Randy,Bella(lab mix)great dog but won’t walk with me with rotator walker cause was hit my car + long recuperation got her attached to friend.To me,all breeds of dogs are great!It depends on how they are treated,not abused,fed properly,taken care medically(vacinations)spayed or neutered,played with,walked+ provided with toys to play + chew because will do if puppies.Any kind of animal that makes you happy is what is important!Just realize,when you get any kind of pet,they need shots,medical care,food,etc.You take care of them+ they do likewise!This is how I feel+ don’t regret getting my dogs.Good luck with your pets and get them training and this helps immensely.Good Luck!
I guess the best the very endorsement for labradors is that they are the favoured breed for visually impaired folk. I am doing my very best not to gush stupidly…… 🙂
Hi, Pippa,
I see yellow Labs with different colored noses. My Gunny’s nose is black, while my neighbor’s yellow Lab has a light-brown nose. Is one color considered a standard for the breed?
Thanks!
Simply the best……..
We have an eight year old yellow lab called Kia.
Everyday he surprises us with something new.
He is getting sore legs now but still loves his walks.
Kia”s favourite activity is pinching our Grandsons toys
and running round with them, I am convinced he is
laughing at them!!!!!!!!
My grandsons adore him just like we do.
I don’t know what we would do without him.
My dog named roxy i bought when she is one month old .At starting she behaved nicely but now she is tending to bite our hands ,clothes. Iam studying so we tie her using dog rope because iam having old grandmother she cant catch her if she runs so we tie her .Also she is eating mud while yaking her walking what to do mam ? Please give me a suggestion.
Hi my dog is two months old golden colour labrador she is slient when sleeping,but after waking up she is coming and bitting our clothes even some times tending to bite our. Hand while petting it what to do.
She is also eating mud while taking for walking please give a suggestion.
hi,i acquired my black-lab 6 mos ago ,now he’s ,how can i train my lab in frequent barking in the early at 4am,i alreary teached the fundamentals(sit-heel-stay)but the barking n jumping-running off me is my main probs is how can stop form doing this bad attitude of my maxxi?pls advice me….more thanx on ur site.
i acquired my d blacklab when he is 2mos old,ive been training him until now agedamentals(sit-heel-stay),why until now when i open his cage he keep on keep off me,jumping n always barking in the early at 4am..how can i train my lab on preventing all of this?he now 8mos.
i have a 13 year old chocolate lab called Choco. He was born the day before my dad birthday who passed away 3 months later. He holds a very special place in our hearts and we love him to bits. He suffers with fits and arthritis but every morning he wags his tail to greet us and every night he’s still excited to go for a walk. He brings so much love to our family and even though he is getting old and has health problems I can’t imagine our family without him. He’s loyal, protective and still acts like a puppy and will always have something in his mouth to give us. You gotta love a lab ❤️
Choco sounds lovely Kim, glad he’s still enjoying life – that’s what counts 🙂
We will be having a cross breed of Labrador (father) and aspin (mother), aspin is a Philippine dog. I just want to know if he could retrieve his father’s features. I’m so excited to have him and is it good if we separate him from his mum? How many weeks shall we get him? And if we get him earlier, can we feed him with powdered milk for babies? Can I get some tips and advice?
Will be waiting for your reply pippa.
-ghail
He needs to be 8 weeks old Ghail, before he leaves his mother, brothers and sisters. Here are the puppy care articles – https://www.thelabradorsite.com/caring-for-your-labrador-puppy/ Good luck with your puppy 🙂
Hi Pipa,
I hav a four month old labrador .his he a strange bone in his head ..the shape of the head looks ok but theres a round bone (i guess its bone ) .i asked the vet and he gave me deworming tab and some supplement for the bone .is it normal or is it a problem ?
MY FEMALE LABRADOR DOG IS BLACK BUT NOT FULLY BLACK…..IN STOMACH REGION AND LEG TIPS IT IS WHITE……AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS NORMAL AS IN LABRADOR PUPPIES…..MAY I KNOW IS THIS NORMAL TO HAVE WHITE SHADE IN DOWN PORTION…??
Hi,I have a yellow Labrador,4 1/2 months,he is very overpowering,and rough,jumps up and bites at my clothes and arms,he doesn’t bite my legs,he also bares his teeth,I have tried calming,to no avail,I put him in the hallway,and leave him there,tried ignoring hom when I let him back in,he just starts again,I take him on long walks pulls a lot,but I’m managing that,it’s just the aggression,I’ve had 3 labs over the years,but not one like this,help !!
Hello! I need your help, I bought labrador mixed jack russell 2 months 4 days ago from online store which is olx.com with pictures, my colleagues always tease me that it was a scam coz they believe it was Aspin (Philippine dog) because for them it’s not look like a labrador with mix and for me it was hard to identify what breed is. I asked the owner of the dog and she told me they been breeder for almost 3years i’d asked for the pictures of the mother and the father of the puppy i had bought but she haven’t provided pictures (proof) Please help i can send you the pictures of my puppy.
hi i just wanted to know about our labradors weight, he is a black labrador retriever from show stock. he weighed in last week at 27.50 kg and he is 6 months old, he has 450 gms of food today and only occasionally gets treats is his weight ok
Here you are Jenny How much should my Labrador weigh
Hi Pippa,
I have a three month old labrador cross breed pup, his dad is a pure lab as far as i know, and his mom is not, we call it here in the philippines as aspin, that means a filipino dog, is there a way this pup can be like the pure breed ones that will retrieve stuff or something?
please help, some tips and advises will really help,
thank you
Hi,
We have a 3 year old black field Labrador who we saw being advertised in rural Aberdeenshire for sale when we went to see him the gamekeeper told us he was no good so no prizes guessing what his fate would be 2 years later loads of vets bills for one thing or the other he is a part of the family who we could not be without. He sleeps with our young son and our son kisses him him all the time our son must have built up a great immune system by now black lab the best friend a family could have seriously don’t worry about a couple of muddy paw prints life’s to short
Hi
I have an year old lab and he doesn’t eat his food on his own. We have to hand feed him. We have tried varieties of dog food n home cooked food. He only eats chicken on his own. I give him boiled chicken
We just transfered our 4 months old lab into a cage, he`s always howling and barking when we will go inside the house, is it normal for him?
Hi,
I’ve a little puppy. He’s only 10 to 12 days old
Someone said to me that he’s a labrador breed.but I’ve a little doubt that he’s realy a labra or not. I’m not sured. He is black n has spots of white colour on his neck, tail and feets. And also tell me, can a female labra give born to 10 to 12 puppies in a time.??please help me..!!
Hi Shivi, you need to take your puppy back. He needs to stay with his Mum until he is 8 weeks old. You cannot tell for sure what breed a dog is from his appearance. Pippa
Will a Lab bark if he will be transfered in a cage?
I have a yellow Labrador mixed with a Retriever. He shakes and gets really nervous when he gets baths but is fine afterwards. Why is that?
i
I would like to ask what is an optimal grow of my Labrador puppy. she is 13 weeks old and she has 10,5 kg. Unfortunately I am to able to measure her height. I miss such device. On your web there is written that grow fast is back but without any detail. I am from the Czech Republic and here the standard says for female dog is the best 54 – 56 cm. Can you say in % of total height she should be in the week 13 or 14th? Many thanks.
I bought my female leb dog (Maggy) when she was just 25 days old. i took her everywhere i go and we both play much when i am free. now she understand me and stay by my side all the time.. even when i go to bed she come close to me and sleep beside me. I love her so much and she is now 7months old still the best. she loves water alot and know learn thing very fast.
hi,
i hv a 3 yr old choco lab. after a mth long vacation, v collected him from a kennel an since tat day i find him very quiet n aloof sort of,which is very unlike him.I am closely watching him now for 2 days.i hd a word with the kennel owner(vet doc herself) who explained saying he might be missing his other dog friends.is tat the case? i cant c him so quiet…. 🙁 he is eating well …i dont understand wats wrong?? plz help me…
Hi Pippa,
I have a 6months old yellow lab. I want to train him on basic commands and obedience. But he is too scarred to interact with the trainer and just wants to run away from the scene. The trainer doesn’t use any harsh means and its just 2days since they met and the trainer has already given up hope saying its very difficult to train such a scarred puppy. My lab generally isn’t so frightened with strangers but this is a one of case and its doing him no good.
Another issue is that the puppy doesn’t stay alone for even 5minutes and needs someone to be with him always.
Hello Pippa
I have a chocolate lab, He always eats shits of cows and when I call him he does not come to me at that moment. I just hate such things. Please tell me what to do?
Hi pippa, I have a 7month old Labrador pup and he has started chewing my skirting boards and walls he has plenty of toys and I am with him all day any ideas how to stop this thank you janice
Hi
Just read your little article – I have researched history of Labs and may have some useful info for you – specifically Labs were bred for the water and are descendants of St. Johns. In UK were bred from two pups in shipwreck. I have had two yellow Labs (heavier breed stock) and now have black from working stock – your descriptions were spot on
Thanks Liz 🙂
pippa, my neigbour has a lab puppy of 3-4 months old, i take their dog for walks every evening………… they give it to me b-cause i am very much attracted to dogs………….but it offen bites my pant, if i’m not wearing a pant , it bites my leg…………… and it is extremly scared of chairs & stools why is it so 😐 🙂
Dear Pippa, I am looking for some advise regarding my 3 yr old black Labrador. She a fully trained field dog (and a good one) we live on the west coast of Canada. The issue is in the fall I hunt along salmon rivers and at times she becomes more interested on eating and rolling in dead salmon than focusing on the job at hand. Is their a humane way of correcting this behaviour ? She does have a strong food drive at home also , stronger than my previous labradors
Thanks
Bert
Hi Bert, there is an article here about dogs that eat rubbish, but with a working dog, I would concentrate more on keeping her focused on the job in hand. Keep her at heel when she is not retrieving. If she is retrieving, she should not be rolling around on the ground, you could set up some training exercises where she has to retrieve past smelly distractions. Focus on getting a good straight line out and back to the retrieve, no matter what temptations you place in the way. Have her on a training line if necessary to begin with. Pippa
Why is my chocolate lab always in hunt mode or wanting to always chew on stuff!! He chews on everything and it is quite annoying!!!
How old is your labrador Scott?
Hi my name is Rachel and I am a middle school student in the Madison area and I am doing a project on Labrador retrievers and was wondering if you could answer a few questions for me. please get back to me as soon as you can. if you can not help me could you please tell me someone who can. thank you for your time.
-Rachel
Hi Rachel, I would be happy to answer your questions. Just pop into the forums and post up your questions there.
Pippa