Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is a friendly, high-energy, and loyal breed, consistently ranked among the world's most popular dogs. Labs are known for their gentle temperament, high intelligence, and exceptional compatibility with children and other pets. The breed excels as a guide dog, search-and-rescue dog, and in numerous service roles.
Weight
25–36 kg
Height at withers
54–62 cm
Life expectancy
10–12 years
Size
large
Activity
high
Shedding
high
Barking tendency
moderate
Apartment friendly
Not ideally suited for apartment living due to high energy levels and need for space. Can adapt to an apartment if given sufficient daily exercise (at least 1 hour), but a house with a securely fenced yard is the ideal environment.
Care
At least 1 hour of daily exercise; brush 2–3 times per week (daily during heavy shedding seasons); bath every 1–2 months; regular ear cleaning to prevent infections; strict portion control to prevent obesity; routine veterinary check-ups
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, obesity, ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), exercise-induced collapse (EIC), bloat (GDV), epilepsy, cancer (especially lymphoma)
Coat
Short, dense
Travel
Labs generally travel well by car if given regular breaks for exercise and bathroom stops every 2–3 hours. Always provide water during travel. For air travel, they must fly as checked cargo in an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate; check the specific airline's policies for large dogs well in advance.
Carrier size
The Labrador Retriever is a large breed; transport requires an appropriately sized dog crate for car or rail travel. Not eligible for in-cabin air travel — cargo-hold transport only in an IATA-compliant hard-sided crate.
Harness size
Harness size L or XL depending on the individual dog's chest girth (typically 65–90 cm); a padded harness with a front clip for leash attachment is recommended to manage pulling
Leash
A 1.5–2 m leash made of sturdy nylon or leather, at least 2 cm wide; a standard fixed-length leash is preferred over a retractable leash for control. Early leash training is strongly recommended, as Labs tend to pull.
Airline cabin travel
usually not
This breed guide is always at hand in the Hani Walk app — along with the walk tracker, digital pet passport and vaccination reminders.
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