History of the Labrador Retriever
Labradors descend from the St. John's water dog of Newfoundland, which helped fishermen retrieve nets and fish from icy water. In the 1800s English sportsmen brought these dogs to Britain and refined them into the retriever we know today.
The American Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever in 1917, and it was the most popular breed in the United States for more than thirty years. Labs work as guide dogs, service dogs, detection dogs and hunting companions, and above all as family dogs.
Labrador Retriever Traits
Males 65–80 lb;
Females 55–70 lb
Short, dense double coat; sheds moderately to heavily
~11–14 years
What Labrador Retrievers Excel At
Common gotchas
Trainer Notes
Our Labrador Retriever Graduates
Since 2007, Neuman K-9 Academy has trained 242 Labrador Retrievers in our Dog Boot Camp and Puppy Camp, and 220 of them have a public graduation video on YouTube showing what they learned. Here are our most recent graduates.
Graduation videos of all 220 Labrador Retrievers, by year
2026: Gertie, Rosie, Stella, Pebbles, Maple, Buddie
2025: Timber, Charlie, Bellatrix, Rosie, Sookie, Earl, Rosie, Blaney, Rosie, Archie, Pebbles, Luna, Cleo
2024: Lily, Elwood, Poppy, Betty, Oxley, Rhea, Nyx, Sirius, Sunny, Barbara Ann, Hazel, Mac, Autumn
2023: Louie, Bodie, Rooney, Rusty, Mace, Kai, Kona, Denver, Ollie
2022: Luther, Millie, Otis, Milly, Bailey, Teddy, Crash, Kona, Sully, Milo, Ranger, Tobi, Bailey, Bode, Kona, Finn, Jackson, Rex, Gordie, Otto, Woodford, Finn
2021: Mac, Bailey, Duke, Ojos, Auggie, Hattie, Bear, Ty, Bo, Copper, Zoey, Atka, Bodie, Bailey, Simba, Lilah, Harley, Honey, Bella, Phil, Kobe
2020: Fred, Olaf, Bo, Blu, Chief, Twizzler, Kai, Thor, Phen, Boris, Dakota, Thor, Remi, Quinn, Cabella, Kenai
2019: Belle, Rosie, Riley, Sunny, Kota, Dakota, Rosie, Tilly, Maisie
2018: Ozzy, General, Molly, Kasie, Frankie, Willow, Tilly, Dually, Chloe
2017: Penny, Bailey, Trigger, Mabel, Harper, Cooper, Brody, Tugg, Marvin, Abbie, Timo, Frankie, Penny, Harold, Diggs
2016: Sammie, Ruthie, Rolo, Bubba, Frankie, Gracie, Chase, Bojangle, Archie, Abby, Copper, Cooper, Tucker, Parrish, Jaci, Bella B., Kenna, Bella P., Bella L., Bart, Thunder, Rouser
2015: Luna, Everett, Crush, Mae, Lucy, Duke, Blue, Glacier, Rusty, Shadow, Beau, Rosie, Max, Kenzie, Shiloh, Duke, Chester, Spencer, Daisy, Razor, Lincoln
2014: Darby, Darby, Sammie, Beau, Fitger, Ellie, Linx, Cosmo
2013: Coco, Lady, Luke, Dixie, Bailey, Macee, Ted, Kenzie, Dixie, Buddy, Alice, Tilia, Byrdie, Beau
2012: Higgins, Ivy, Cheza, Bruce, Sam, Cherry, Ted, Piper, Grace, Elvis, Cooper, Belle, Buddy
2011: Zoey, Jack, Elvis, Jake, Cherry, Logan, Elie, Baxter, Jack
What Labrador Retriever Owners Say
“We brought our year-old lab to Neuman K-9 Academy in September for an 8-week stay at boot camp. The transformation was incredible! … The weekly updates with photos not only made us confident that he was learning things we could have NEVER taught him, but also made us feel that he was being very well cared for.”
Michelle & John Kallas · Boji, Labrador Retriever
FAQs
Are Labradors easy to train?
Labs are very trainable, but their excitement and food drive mean they need clear structure. Most of the problems we see, like pulling, jumping and counter surfing, come from enthusiasm, not stubbornness.
At what age should I start training my Lab?
Puppy Camp takes puppies from 4 months of age, and Dog Boot Camp is for dogs 12 months and older. Adolescent Labs, around 6 to 18 months, benefit the most from structure.
How long is boot camp for a Labrador?
Dog Boot Camp runs 8 or 12 weeks. The 8-week camp covers foundation obedience, leash manners and household etiquette; the 12-week camp adds off-leash heeling, long-distance recalls and field trips into the city.
Do Labradors shed?
Yes. Labs have a short, dense double coat that sheds year-round and more heavily with the seasons.
How much exercise does a Labrador need?
Most adult Labs need an hour or more of exercise a day, plus mental work. Swimming and retrieving games are favorites.
Train Your Labrador Retriever at Neuman K-9 Academy
Our Dog Boot Camp is an 8 or 12-week board-and-train program for dogs 12 months and older, and Puppy Boot Camp is for puppies 4 to 12 months. Every program includes hands-on handler training for you at graduation. Families send their dogs from across the country, too; see dog boot camp for out-of-state families.
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