Labrador Retriever Breed Information | MetLife Pet Insurance (2024)

FAQs

Is a Labrador a medium or large breed? ›

Labradors are medium- to large-breed sporting dogs and weigh 55–80 pounds on average, with females on the lower end of this range. Typically, their height is between 21–25 inches. They have a wide skull and nose, deep chest, strong tail, and a very muscular build.

Official Standard for the Labrador Retriever General Appearance: The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for ...

Pet insurance is a good way to avoid costly vet care bills and ensure your furry friend has a long and healthy life. But pet insurance policies aren't created equal — nor are they priced that way. In fact, pet insurance premiums can vary widely based on the type of animal, its size, and, most importantly, its breed.

The Labrador breed dates back to at least the 1830s, when St. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever.

They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female.

The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labradors reach 12 to 14 years of age.

Body. The Labrador should be short-coupled, with good spring of ribs tapering to a moderately wide chest. The Labrador should not be narrow chested; giving the appearance of hollowness between the front legs, nor should it have a wide spreading, bulldog-like front.

The American Labrador

Most commonly referred to as the "field trial" Labrador, this subtype has been selectively bred for their high energy level, intense drive, and athleticism. The American Labrador boasts a taller, leaner body with a narrow head and longer muzzle.

They may bark to alert their owners of something, when looking for attention, or during play but they don't tend to bark excessively or without reason. If a Lab is not getting enough exercise or attention or hasn't had proper training, they may bark more than usual.

What breed is the cheapest for pet insurance? ›

According to a LendEDU analysis of Spot Pet Insurance data for 114 dog and cat breeds, these are the three most affordable breeds with the lowest average overall premiums: English Springer Spaniel: $33.56 per month. Miniature Yorkshire Terrier: $37.24 per month. Goldendoodle: $39.62 per month.

Jack Russell Terrier

Among the most affordable purebred dogs to insure is the Jack Russell, a lively little terrier that loves nothing better than a nice big park and a ball to chase. Confident in temperament, Jack Russells make very loyal dogs, and like to keep themselves busy.

There is no difference between a Labrador, Labrador Retriever or a Lab dog. They are all the same breed, however some people refer to them by their shortened names. Labrador Retriever is the full name, which simply comes from the fact that the clever pups are able to retrieve objects.

We all know the saying that a good horse can't be a bad colour, but few people agree that the same principle applies to labradors. When it comes to the best labrador colour, the general rule among the shooting fraternity is that black is good, yellow acceptable, but chocolate is strictly for the show bench.

There are two different types of Labrador. Here's how to tell the difference between English and American Labs, and pick your favorite type.

With males reaching a shoulder height of 56 to 57cm and females 54 to 56cm, Labrador Retrievers are a medium-sized dog breed. They are very active with a muscular and strong physique.

Labradors can come in a variety of sizes so to speak. Therefore the Labrador is a considered a medium to large dog breed. The average weight for a Labrador is between 65–80 lbs. Some full grown Labradors are under 65 pounds and seem to fit more in the medium range.

Which Dogs are Considered Large Breed? In order to easily tell the difference between breed sizes, dog breeders actually have a whole dog sizing system. Per this measurement method, a dog has to weigh at least 50 pounds (sometimes 70 pounds) and have a height of around 24 inches to be considered a large-breed dog.

There's no standard definition for what qualifies as a medium-sized dog but Vetcarenews defines it as a dog that's between 24 and 59 pounds and its shoulder height is 16 to 22 inches.