Most kennel clubs around the globe agree: the Labrador Retriever is the single most popular dog in the world. And part of the breed's popularity is due to its self-sufficiency and adaptability; in other words, Labrador care doesn't take a lot of work. Below you'll find plenty of details on puppy development, maintenance, diet, and more.
This breed is athletic and muscular, so Labrador Retriever exercise needs are, in a word, huge. These dogs can begin physical activity as early as three months of age, but Labrador puppy exercise should not be as intense (or as long in duration) as that of mature dogs. By the time they're at or near full maturity (18-24 months), a full day's exercise in 1-1½ hour sessions should be okay.
And odds are, a mature Lab will wear itself (and you!) out. This breed was developed to spend all day as a working animal, so a Lab will typically have boundless amounts of energy. Canine experts say that it's up to Lab owners themselves to decide when to stop the physical activity--because these dogs surely won't! Other than that, no real precautions exist in exercise for Labrador Retrievers. They can exercise in most types of weather, too--just make sure to provide plenty of water, especially in hotter temperatures.
Be aware, though, that an under-exercised Lab will be hard to handle. If these dogs don't receive plenty of physical and mental stimulation, they'll become extremely bored and hyperactive: they'll dig, bark, bound around, and chew any- and everything they can get their mouths on. Labs also have high tendencies for obesity, so a Lab will quickly become overweight if not exercised enough.
Just a few of the seemingly infinite number of exercises for Labrador Retrievers:
Because Labs' exercise needs are great, it'll be good for owners to have frequent access to outdoor areas. When inside, make sure to have a ball or chew-toy for your Lab to fetch and chew on to release any excess energy. And if possible, try to set a daily exercise schedule for a Lab, such as one or two exercise sessions during the day, followed by a long walk, jog, or bike in the evening. One of the great things about these dogs is that they're athletic, intelligent and versatile, and can participate in many physical activities right alongside their owners.
Maintenance for this breed, at least in regards to shedding and drooling, is a moderate issue. Labrador Retriever shedding is a constant thing: a moderate amount for most of the year, and excessively during the twice-annual moulting seasons. Drooling is not a huge problem, but these dogs often drip saliva if they're near food, of if they know they're about to eat.
As all Lab owners know, shed hair is a permanent thing in their households--especially during the spring and fall, when Labs lose their winter or summer coats. Fortunately, these moulting periods only last 2-3 weeks! For most of the year, brushing a Lab 3-4 times per week, along with monthly baths, will minimize the amount of shed hair; during shedding season, increase the brushing to daily, and bathe the dog a few days into the season (and again at the end, if desired). Unfortunately, the plain fact is that a Labrador will shed, regardless of what you do--so have a vacuum cleaner and lint roller ready.
And Labs typically drool when they prepare to eat (or know that food is coming). One way to minimize the issue is to call the dog to its bowl before you get food out. Excessive or constant drooling--also called ptyalism--may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case you should contact a veterinarian.
Like all dog breeds, diet is an important part of a Labrador Retriever's health. As such an active breed, a Lab will need a well-balanced food regimen, one with plenty of calories. Debates have long raged over which type of food is best for these dogs: dry kibble, wet or canned, or BARF (Bones and Raw Food)? The quick answer is any and all of them. Ideally, a mature Lab will eat a combination of kibble, canned, and raw food--just make sure you're consistent and feed the dog the same type of food at each daily meal (wet/canned in the morning and kibble in the evening, for example).
Though the amounts can vary depending on the type of food, the typical three-month-old Lab puppy should get approximately 3.5 ounces of food at each meal, and should be fed three times per day. As a Lab grows, owners should increase the amount per meal, and by six months of age the Lab should only be fed twice daily. A full-grown Lab needs about 10-12 ounces of food per meal, twice a day. Use the following chart as a rough guideline:
It's a good idea to monitor your Lab's food intake closely, because dogs of this breed tend to become overweight very easily. Unfortunately, the phrase "fat Labradors" has become quite common in modern society--but jokes aside, a fat Lab is more prone to joint problems, digestive and breathing issues, and decreased lifespan.
If you're concerned about your Lab's weight: if it's not obvious when looking at the dog that it's overweight, a good rule of thumb is to run your hand along the dog's side. If you can't feel the rib bones, it's time for a diet. Decrease the amounts of food per meal by one-fourth (and possibly switch to all dry food, if applicable), and increase the amount of exercise; adding an extra exercise session to your overweight Lab's daily routine is a great idea.
Breed enthusiasts have argued for decades over what's good dog food for Labs. Some say it's dry kibble, which is cheaper and more convenient. Other feed their Labs only canned food, which is more nutritious (and usually more appealing to the dog). Still others rely only on a BARF (Bones and Raw Food) diet for Labs, as it's more "natural" for them; if left to its own devices in the wild, they argue, a Lab would only eat raw meat, so they try and mimic that diet.
So what's the recommended dog food for Labs? In reality, there's no easy answer to that question. The best case scenario is that a Lab will eat some of all three food types. Regardless, owners will need to feed their dogs at the same time every day (8 a.m. and 6 p.m., for example); they'll also want to feed the dog the same type of foods for each daily meal (like kibble every morning, canned every evening).
Additionally, veterinarians highly advise against feeding a Lab human food from the dinner table. It will encourage begging, and contribute to a Lab's obesity.
Dogs of this breed are highly adaptable, and can live in most any environment. If provided with plenty of exercise, a Labrador Retriever in an apartment is okay, but ideally the dog will have a medium- to large-sized yard in which to stretch its legs. These dogs can also adapt to both warm and cool climates, but may be uncomfortable in extremely hot or cold temperatures. Overall, Labs are both inside and outside dogs.
Read the grooming requirements for Labrador Retrievers including coat care and other maintenance.
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