Whether you’re a dog person or not, you can probably recognize a Labrador Retriever. Labs are a popular breed for their unconditional loyalty, athletic ability, and playfulness. They’ll warm the hearts of any family.
If you’re a pet owner or considering adopting, we’ll give you the rundown on Labrador Retriever’s to see if they’re the right fit. We’ll cover breed characteristics, personality, cost, common illnesses, and references to pop-culture. Scroll down to find the freshest Labrador Retriever influencers that’ll brighten up your Insta feed!
But, as we all know, having a dog isn’t always as easy as scrolling through your feed. So before giving the run down on Labs, we’re going to tell you how to protect your pooch, and explain how Lemonade’s pet insurance plans for dogs could help take the bite out of vet bills.
Getting pet insurance for your Labrador
Dog insurance helps cover the costs of your vet bills. You pay a monthly premium and in exchange, you can provide care for your fur fam without stressing as much about the costs. With Lemonade pet insurance, pet parents can customize their policy to get the coverage their furry friend needs.
For starters, a basic Lemonade pet health insurance policy includes accident and illness coverage. This will help cover the costs of tests, treatments, and medication if your dog or cat has an unexpected accident or illness.
A basic policy is great for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future, but Lemonade also offers affordable preventative care, designed to keep your pet healthy, and helps cover reimbursements for expenses you’re probably already paying for. By opting for a preventive care package you’ll also get access to live medical chat and be covered for all types of routine care—like your annual wellness exam, checkups, blood tests, several vaccinations, and other routine health care for your pet.
We ask a Lab about a day in their life…
“You made the right choice! I’ll make a loyal companion. After a good night’s rest, I’m ready to take on the day. I was bred to be muscular and athletic, so I’m down for any activity. We can try a short run, fetch, agility course, or a nice swim. If we play tug-of-war, I’ll most likely win!
I’m a perfect friend to bring to work. Many of my Lab friends are certified therapy dogs. I guess Labs have a way of cheering people up with love and affection. Plus, I look pretty good in pictures.
I’ll eat anything. So try extra hard to hide certain toxic foods. While a hard-working dog deserves a yummy treat, be careful to not overfeed me. Without regulation, my large appetite could cause me to be overweight.
I’d love to end my night with a bunch of snuggles. Are you up for cuddles?”
The Labrador Retriever’s personality
Obviously every pup is unique, and it’s impossible to predict what kind of Labrador Retriever you’ll be bringing into your life. But breeds do have certain tendencies and characteristics.
Labs are one of the most friendly dog breeds. As family dogs, they get along with kids, strangers, and other dogs. Just warn your friends and family, your Lab is a shedder and might leave them with a gift. Since Labs are so affectionate, they aren’t the best dogs for catching bad guys. They might treat an intruder with kisses.
This family pet is full of energy, so a home with a backyard is perfect. Labs need at least 40 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. Labs are easy to train, so their exercise can come from learning cool tricks.
How much does a Labrador Retriever cost?
Owning a Labrador Retriever can be expensive, initially costing between $400-$1,500.
When it comes to buying a Labrador Retriever, be very careful. Only buy from a reputable breeder. Sadly, some breeders take advantage of the Labrador Retriever’s popularity while neglecting important health and temperament issues.
Since we recommend buying the Labrador Retriever from a reputable breeder, it may be hard to find trustworthy adoption options. Rescue Me is a great resource for all potential pet parents.
Be prepared: During the first year, you’ll spend near $3,000 to get your new friend vaccinated, groomed, and insured. This price drops to around $1,900 for each year following.
On average, Labrador Retrievers cost owners around $22,000 over their lifetime. But if you plan on spaying/neutering your dog, hiring a dog walker, and boarding your pup once a year, expect to pay anywhere from $70,000 to $180,000 over their lifetime.
What are common Labrador Retriever illnesses?
To decide if this breed is for you, we wanted to share some health problems you might run into. We hope you never see your dog go through these. But if you do, it’s always a good idea to be prepared and know the signs.
Before we get into some common health concerns your pup might encounter, a quick reminder that Lemonade offers stellar Pet Health insurance that’ll keep your Labrador Retriever happy and healthy. You can get a free quote in just a few minutes—it’s quick, simple, and even a little fun…
Elbow and hip dysplasia are common in many breeds. If your dog goes untreated, these diseases could cost you $1,500 to $6,000. Since these conditions are inherited, we recommend asking your breeder for certifications from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Along with other deep chested dogs, Labrador Retrievers are at risk of bloat. Usually, it impacts dogs who rapidly eat large meals, chug too much water, or eat after working out. It is an unexpected, lethal condition that can develop rapidly, so it’s important to know the signs. If your dog is excessively salivating, throwing up without vomit, whining when his abdomen is touched and his stomach is distended, get him to the vet immediately. Remember, bloat is different than pet obesity.
Since Labs have long floppy ears that trap moisture in, they can easily get ear infections. This condition is easily treated, but dangerous if left untreated. So, it’s important to know the signs. Watch out for swelling, dark discharge, and a bad odor. We recommend regularly using ear cleaning solutions to prevent infections.
If your dog’s running on three legs or limping, she might have Patellar Luxation. It’s a painful condition that involves the knee joint shifting in and out of place. Most cases can be treated with pain medications, but some may require surgery.
Eye problems are common in a few forms. The three main types are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a hereditary disease that eventually leads to blindness. We suggest you ask your breeder about the parents’ eye history to avoid this condition. Cataracts are a cloudy film that forms over the eye and causes blurry vision. Cloudy corneas can also be a symptom of Glaucoma, a disease that puts pressure on your dogs eye potentially causing loss of vision. Rule of thumb? If you notice your Lab is itching a lot or has red eyes, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) is an inflammatory condition which involves uncommon growth of cartilage in joints. While OCD normally affects the shoulder joint, elbows, hips, and knees can be impacted. If you notice any lameness, limping, or swollen joints, call your vet for a check up. In most cases, OCD can be treated with limited physical activity and extra rest.
Like humans, dogs show symptoms in a variety of ways. We suggest calling your vet if your dog starts acting differently, so you never overlook something serious.
Labrador Retriever’s in pop culture
If you’ve seen the movie Marley and Me, a Labrador Retriever has definitely made you tear up. Initially, the newlyweds, John and Jenny Grogan, adopt Marley as a test-run for starting a family. The movie follows the family’s journey with the insanely mischievous, but indispensable Marley.
Family Guy features Brian Griffin, a white Labrador character voiced by the show’s creator, Seth McFarlane. While Brian acts like a human, his relationship with Stewie demonstrates the classic saying: “a dog is a man’s best friend.”
Instagram-famous Labrador Retriever’s
Nothing cheers us up like our favorite Instagram Labrador Retrievers. Add these photogenic pups to your feed!
Check out Ace who consistently tries to speak human. His “wtf am I barking at” videos can bring a smile to your face.
Bono is the most athletic chocolate lab out there. He’s a pro surfer holding 5 world titles, 1 Brazilian championship, and a Guiness World Record! Drop a follow to watch Bono and his friends catch waves.
If you’re having a rough day, Magnus will cheer you up. He’s a therapy dog who’s an expert at cuddling, modeling, and Tik Tok challenges.
Bailey and her son, Peanut, have faces that’ll melt your heart. They live right next to each other! You can sweeten up your feed by following them on IG.
And don’t forget!
Your Labrador puppy is a bundle of cuteness, and you want to keep that pup happy and healthy—without going bankrupt with vet bills in the process. Enter Lemonade’s Pet Health insurance, which offers an affordable way to make sure your furry friend can live their fullest life. Get your deductible and premium quote in just a few minutes, with a Labrador dog insurance plan that Labs and their pet parents both love!
