overview of the Black Labrador Retriever Dog Breed
Do you want a dog who is great with children, loves to be involved with any family activity, and is one of the friendliest and kindest dog breeds available?
If this describes your ideal adopted family member, browse our Black Labrador Retriever puppies for sale below!
The Labrador Retriever breed has been one of the best-selling breeds for years, and they are famous with families for a reason. These easy-going dogs are friendly with humans and animals, have outgoing personalities, and interact very sweetly with humans and children.
Black Labs have dark black coats, and black is the most common color for Labs.
If your family is ready for a Labrador Retriever with a beautiful black coat, then purchase your Black Lab puppy today! You can also view our Yellow, Chocolate, Silver, or White Labrador Retriever puppies. You can also view one of our many other available puppy breeds.
Black Labrador Retriever temperament
Friendly: The Labrador Retriever breed is known for their friendly personalities. It doesn’t matter if they meet strangers or other animals, Labs love making new friends and being with other people and animals. For this reason, they don’t usually make the best guard dogs.
Outgoing: Labs are not shy! They are full of energy and love to be involved in whatever is happening around them. Labrador Retriever puppies need regular training when they are young to help them properly harness their energy and enthusiasm.
Loyal: Black Labs often form strong bonds with their families. They are loyal companions who enjoy spending quality time with their owners. Their affectionate nature makes them great family pets.
Alertness: While not typically aggressive, Black Labs can be good watchdogs due to their alertness and tendency to bark when they sense something unusual or unfamiliar.
Family-oriented: Labs are one of the most popular dogs for families with children. They are the perfect family dog because they love interacting with family members, and do well at playing gently with kids.
Companion: Labrador Retrievers figure out who their family is quickly. Even though they enjoy strangers, Labs always come back to their home tribe. They also love being involved with whatever their owners are doing.
Smart: Labrador Retrievers are an intelligent breed and can perform a variety of tasks. As their name suggests, they were originally used as water retrievers. Labs still love retrieving things to this day, but they also fit other roles such as guide dogs, search-and-rescue, and therapy dogs.
Black Labrador Retriever Breed history
The Labrador Retriever breed has its origins in Newfoundland, which is off the Canadian coast. Labs were originally called “St. John’s Dog” after the capital city of Newfoundland. Hunters and fishermen used these dogs as retrievers in the water.
It is thought that the St. John’s Dog was crossbred in the 1700s with the Newfoundland Dog and other smaller water dogs.
British sailors who visited northern North America noticed the speed and ability of these dogs, and they began bringing them back to England. One of the most notable British to bring back one of these dogs was the Earl of Malmesbury. He took his new dogs hunting in the swamps and water of his estate.
The breed continued to grow in popularity, and in 1903 the Labrador Retriever was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever in 1917.
Black is the dominant color gene for labs, so it is the most common color for a lab to be. Therefore, it is very popular. There is a theory that black Labs are more friendly and affectionate than the other colors, but there is nothing to back this theory up.
Black Labrador Retriever Average size
Black Labrador Retrievers generally grow to be 22-25″ tall at the shoulder and weigh around 65-80 pounds as adults.
Average Black Labrador Retriever lifespan
Labs have a typical lifespan of 10-12 years.
Black Labrador Retriever body features
Black labs have thick, inky black coats. Because black is the dominant color gene in labs, it is the most commonly found color.
grooming Your Black Labrador Retriever Puppy
Being made for the water, Labrador Retrievers have a double-layer waterproof coat that protects them from both cold and moisture.
The topcoat is a shorter coat that is straight, and the undercoat is a softer and water-resistant coat.
The result of these coats is that Labs shed a lot!
Thankfully, their coats are easy to groom, and most Labrador Retrievers are receptive to grooming, especially if started at a young age and done consistently. Labs should be groomed several times a week, or daily if kept inside.
Keeping Your Black Labrador Retriever Puppy Healthy
Labrador Retrievers are an overall healthy breed, and they don’t usually require any unusual care.
Due to their floppy ears and their love for water, you will want to check regularly behind the ears for infection. To prevent infection, make sure the ears completely dry out whenever your Chocolate Labrador Retriever becomes wet.
Like all dogs, Labs are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia.
Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the leg or hip becomes weakened, and it can result in arthritis or lameness if not addressed.
