Labrador Retriever: Health and veterinary triage
For a health question about Labrador Retriever, use screening records as background and let the individual dog's symptoms and trend guide the next step. Treat the record as background information, not proof of how this individual dog will respond. Keep the named test or screening record with the dog's age, result date, clinician, and any follow-up recommendation. For an active concern, record onset, severity, triggers, appetite, movement, breathing, skin, and recovery so a veterinarian can assess the pattern. Bring the dated pattern and the named record to the veterinary visit rather than trying to interpret the result alone.
What the screening record means
Labrador Retriever's recommended parent-club health tests is recorded as ['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test', 'Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test', 'Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test', 'Exercise-In. Here, that matters because it identifies a record to verify, not a diagnosis of the dog in front of you.
Prepare useful information for the vet
- Keep the named test or screening record with the dog's age, result date, clinician, and any follow-up recommendation. For an active concern, record onset, severity, triggers, appetite, movement, breathing, skin, and recovery so a veterinarian can assess the pattern.
- Keep the recommended parent-club health tests in view (['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test', 'Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test', 'Progressive Retinal Atroph) and make the next step reversible, observable, and easy to stop.
- Bring the dated pattern and the named record to the veterinary visit rather than trying to interpret the result alone.
Seek prompt veterinary care if
Arrange veterinary assessment for pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, sudden weakness, rapid weight change, neurological signs, or a persistent behaviour change; use urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening signs.
If this may be a health problem
This page is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Do not change food, medication, exercise, or care for an individual dog based on this page alone; contact a veterinarian for symptoms, pain, weight change, skin changes, persistent behaviour change, or any urgent concern.
References
Height: 22.5-24.5 inches (male), 21.5-23.5 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 65-80 pounds (male), 55-70 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 11-13 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: The Lab has a thick, water-repellant double coat that sheds. Give occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Lab's nails should be trimmed regularly and his teeth brushed frequently.
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: The Labrador Retriever is an exuberant, very energetic breed that needs lots of exercise every day. A Lab who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to engage in hyperactive and/or destructive behavior to release pent-up energy. The breed's favorite activities are retrieving and swimming. Labs also love to burn up energy on hunting trips or at field trials,…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: With the Lab's physical strength and high energy level, early socialization and puppy training classes are vital. Gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months and beginning obedience training early on will help him develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult. Puppy training…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever is one of America's most popular dog breeds, year after year. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium-to-large dog.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation', 'D Locus (Dilute) - DNA Test', 'Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) - DNA Test', 'Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD) - DNA Test', 'Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/LabradorRetriever.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
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