Labrador Retriever

Keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Feed a high-quality large-breed puppy food until 12 months of age, then switch to an adult formula. The adult food has fewer calories than the puppy version, which helps prevent unwanted weight gain. Follow the feeding guidelines on the bag based on age and expected body weight, and ask your vet for the right portions to keep your dog at a healthy weight.

A typical feeding rhythm looks like this:

• Adults: twice daily, morning and evening
• Puppies: three to four times a day

Some Labs are prone to becoming overweight, so watch calorie intake and use treats sparingly during training. This breed loves to eat and tends to eat fast, so if your dog gobbles its food, a slow-feeder bowl can help regulate each bite and ease the stomach upset that comes with eating too quickly.

A complete diet that meets official nutrient standards covers a healthy dog's needs without extra supplementation. Always talk to your veterinarian before adding any supplement.

The Lab has a thick, water-repellent double coat that sheds steadily, with heavier shedding during seasonal periods. Brush two to three times a week with a deshedding brush to manage loose hair, and more often when shedding picks up. Even with regular brushing, expect some hair around your home.

Give occasional baths with a dog-friendly shampoo, especially after outdoor activities. Healthy Labs do not need specialized skin care, but dry your dog fully after baths and swimming to help keep the skin comfortable.

After baths and swimming, clean the ears with an ear cleaner that has a drying agent, which helps lower the risk of ear problems. Talk to your vet if you notice changes in your dog's skin, eyes, or vision.

Trim the nails regularly and brush the teeth often. Daily brushing with a vet-recommended dog toothbrush and toothpaste, along with dental chews and regular veterinary cleanings, is the best way to support long-term dental health.

The Labrador Retriever is energetic and needs plenty of exercise every day. Plan for at least an hour, though the right amount varies with your dog's age and health. A Lab who does not get enough activity may turn to chewing, digging, or other destructive behavior to burn off energy, and regular exercise helps support the calm, laid-back demeanor.

Retrieving and swimming are common exercise options for Labrador Retrievers. Labs enjoy daily walks, chances to run or swim, and games of fetch with a ball or frisbee. They also do well in canine sports such as agility, obedience, tracking, and dock diving, and many work in demanding roles like search-and-rescue, detection, and as service and assistance dogs.

Give Labs mental exercise too. Puzzle toys and obedience practice both work well to keep the mind engaged.

Labs, especially puppies, are also prone to eating things they should not, going after socks, shoes, or the trash. Keep an eye on young Labs and teach them early what they can and cannot chew.

With the Lab's strength and high energy, early socialization and puppy classes are essential. Gently expose your puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between 7 weeks and 4 months of age, and start obedience training early. Puppy classes are part of the socialization process and help owners spot and correct bad habits as they form.

Labrador Retrievers are intelligent, eager to please, and often responsive to training. They are also highly motivated by food, so a small treat is a useful reward for desired behaviors like dropping an object or responding to come and sit. Labs tend to pull on leash, so practice leash skills early and consistently. Address biting, chewing, and grabbing random items quickly, before the habits worsen.

Labs are typically affectionate toward children, other pets, and even strangers. Because of their high energy and strong tails, they can accidentally knock over toddlers and young children, so always supervise playtime between kids and dogs of any breed.

Because Labs are smart and eager to please, many go through specialized training to become service dogs, work in search and rescue, or serve as therapy dogs.