Labrador Retriever
Canis lupus familiaris
🌍 Overview
The Labrador retriever has been the most popular dog breed in the United States for over 30 consecutive years. Originally bred in Newfoundland, Canada, to retrieve fish and waterfowl for fishermen, they were refined in England into the versatile working and companion dogs known today. Their exceptional trainability, gentle temperament, and strong retrieve drive make them the most common breed used as guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and therapy animals worldwide.
📋 Quick Facts
Native Range
Breed origin: Newfoundland, Canada; refined in England
Natural Habitat
Fully domesticated
Adult Size
21.5-24.5 inches at shoulder; 55-80 lbs
Wild Diet
Fully domesticated
Wild Lifespan
10-12 years
Conservation Status
Not applicable (domesticated breed)
⚖️ Compare
Labrador Retriever
Human
Adult Size
21.5-24.5 inches at shoulder; 55-80 lbs
5-6 feet (150-185 cm); ~135-200 lbs
Wild Lifespan
10-12 years
~73 years (global average)
Wild Diet
Fully domesticated
Omnivorous - eats just about anything
Native Range
Breed origin: Newfoundland, Canada; refined in England
Global - originated in Africa roughly 300,000 years ago
Natural Habitat
Fully domesticated
Everywhere from arctic tundra to tropical megacities
Conservation Status
Not applicable (domesticated breed)
Least Concern (8+ billion and counting)
🧠 Test Yourself
What's the Labrador Retriever's native range?
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🤓 Did You Know?
Labs are famously food-motivated because many carry a mutation in the POMC gene, which regulates hunger signals. This means many Labs genuinely never feel full, making them highly trainable but also prone to obesity.
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