How Long Do Labrador Retrievers Live?
Labrador Retrievers live 11-13 years on average. Here is the AKC breed profile, the health areas to stay ahead of, and how to give a Labrador Retriever more good years.
Breed profile
Breed profile and trait ratings: American Kennel Club. Trait scores are AKC ratings from 1 to 5.
At 65-80 pounds, the Labrador Retriever is a large breed. Large breeds tend to age faster and live a few years less than small dogs, which its 11-13 years average reflects.
Does a Labrador Retriever fit your life?
The Labrador Retriever is the textbook do-it-all family dog: easy to train, wonderful with kids, sociable with other dogs, and quick to adapt to almost any home. The real tradeoff is energy, this breed needs genuine daily exercise or it gets restless, and it sheds noticeably too. It's an excellent match for an active family that wants a friendly, low-drama companion and doesn't mind vacuuming often.
A great match if you
- You want a dog that's remarkably easy to train, even as a first-time owner.
- You have young kids, since this breed is rated wonderful with children.
- You have other dogs or visit dog parks often, since sociability runs high in both directions.
- You can give this breed real daily exercise and playtime, since energy and playfulness both run at the top.
- You move often or want a dog that adjusts easily to new homes and routines.
Think twice if
- You want a low-exercise dog, since energy here runs at the very top and this breed needs real daily activity.
- You're house-proud about hair on the furniture, since shedding runs on the heavier side.
- You want a natural guard dog, since this breed is far too friendly with strangers to be a reliable alarm.
Health areas for the Labrador Retriever
Based on the breed profile, the health areas most worth staying ahead of for a Labrador Retriever are Joint and mobility, Daily gut health, Eye and vision, Cardiac and Muscle and Nerve Function (owners often watch for hip dysplasia, stomach, progressive retinal atrophy).
GDV / Bloat
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Labrador Retriever facts, quick answers
How long do Labrador Retrievers live?
Labrador Retrievers live 11-13 years on average, and plenty go beyond that. The two biggest levers on where a given dog lands are keeping it at a lean, healthy weight and staying ahead of the health issues the breed is prone to.
How big do Labrador Retrievers get?
A full-grown Labrador Retriever stands 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female) and weighs 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female), which puts it firmly in the large-breed range.
What kind of dog is a Labrador Retriever?
The Labrador Retriever is a sporting breed, and one of the country's more popular breeds, ranked 2 of 208. It is a large dog that typically lives around 11-13 years.
Are Labrador Retrievers high-energy dogs?
Labrador Retrievers are a high-octane breed that needs serious daily exercise and, ideally, a job to burn it off; without that outlet they get bored and restless.
Are Labrador Retrievers easy to train?
Labrador Retrievers are very trainable and love having their brain worked, picking up commands quickly with positive, consistent training.
Do Labrador Retrievers shed a lot?
Yes, they do. Expect loose hair year-round with heavier seasonal blowouts, so regular brushing and a good vacuum come with the territory.
Do Labrador Retrievers bark a lot?
They bark a normal amount, mostly to let you know something is up.
Are Labrador Retrievers good with kids?
Labrador Retrievers are great with children, gentle and patient, which is a big reason families love the breed; supervise young kids around any dog.
Do Labrador Retrievers get along with other dogs?
Labrador Retrievers are generally sociable with other dogs and usually enjoy the company.
Are Labrador Retrievers friendly with strangers?
Labrador Retrievers are friendly with strangers and tend to greet new people like old friends.
Are Labrador Retrievers good for first-time owners?
Labrador Retrievers are a forgiving choice for a first dog, thanks to their trainability, adaptability and manageable needs.
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