English Labrador: Your Complete Guide

English Labradors are friendly, social, and outgoing pups that have maintained their popularity as companion and working dogs throughout the years. The English Labrador, while not a completely different breed from the American Labrador, is a stockier version of the Labrador retriever that many of us are familiar with around the United States today.

English Labradors are recognizable, and they have uniquely friendly and social personalities. These dogs are medium-sized, have a history as hunting and working dogs, and are well-known for their intelligence and loyalty.

If you are considering adding an English Labrador to your family, there are a few essentials you should know about when it comes to caring for this dog. Our complete guide gives you all of the information you need to know to be prepared to help your English Labrador thrive in your home.

Quick Look at the English Labrador

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of English Labradors?

English Labradors have been around in some form since the early 1800s. They originate from the island of Newfoundland, Canada, and the first iterations of the breed were found in a dog called the St. John’s water dog. These dogs worked on fishing boats, and as English nobles visited the area, they brought these dogs back to England with them.

In England, the St. John’s water dog eventually became known as the English Labrador retriever, and this breed was historically used as a hunting companion. They are known for their natural prowess in the water and their loyalty.

Eventually, the St. John’s water dog in Newfoundland ceased to exist, which meant that the breed standard of the English Labrador was recognized from these dogs as they were brought back over into the United States.

The American Labrador retriever and the English Labrador retriever are genetically the same, though there are subtle differences in appearance, with the English Labrador generally being stockier and more laidback.

The American Kennel Club registered the English Labrador in 1917, and today this dog is utilized as a working dog and known as a valuable family companion.

What Do English Labradors Look Like?

English Labradors look slightly different from the American Labrador. English Labradors are generally stockier, and they have thicker and shorter legs than the more athletic and thinner American Labradors.

English Labradors have more of a barrel chest with a straight tail, and they will weigh between 55 and 80 pounds. English Labradors stand between 21 and 25 inches, with males being larger overall than females.

Coat colors of the English Labrador include yellow, chocolate/brown, and black. Their coat is short, straight, and double coated.

What Size Is an English Labrador?

English Labradors are a medium-sized dog, though they tend to look quite a bit larger than some American Labradors. They will stand between 21 and 25 inches tall, and they will weigh between 55 and 80 pounds.

What Is an English Labrador’s Coat Type and Length?

The coat of an English Labrador is short and straight, and this breed has a double coat. Due to the short length of their fur and their double coat, English Labradors tend to be fairly heavy shedders, and they will lose fur year-round.

What Is an English Labrador’s Temperament?

English Labradors are one of the most popular family dogs in the United States for a reason – this breed is friendly, outgoing, and affectionate. The English Labrador tends to be a little more laid back and less active than the American Labrador, but they are still energetic and playful.

These dogs make a lively addition to any family, and they are especially known for their loyalty and the strong bonds they form with their owners.

Are English Labradors Good With Kids?

English Labradors are good with children, even younger children who might accidentally play too energetically or too rough. It’s important that children are taught how to interact with your dog, but you generally don’t need to be worried about the English Labrador snapping or acting aggressively toward children of any age.

Are English Labradors Good With Other Animals?

English Labradors are typically friendly with other animals, and they get along with both dogs and cats. This breed usually won’t have a problem around smaller animals either, such as hamsters or guinea pigs, though some members of this breed have a higher prey drive than others due to their history as a working and hunting dog.

Your English Labrador might chase small animals or wild animals from time to time, but proper training will help curb this behavior.

Are English Labradors Aggressive?

English Labradors have such a strong reputation as a family dog because they are not really prone to acting aggressively or snapping, biting, and growling. Barring any serious behavioral issues and trauma, this dog is friendly, outgoing, and social. If any behavioral issues do arise, they are typically very eager learners and may easily be trained otherwise.

Do English Labradors Bark?

English Labradors are quieter and more reserved than the American Labrador, which has a reputation for being lively and loud. The English Labrador will bark when necessary, but they are typically not very vocal and they don’t often bark for no reason.

Are English Labradors Affectionate?

English Labradors are known for being affectionate, loving, and friendly. They are social and outgoing, and they will warm up to strangers easily. This breed will enjoy spending all of their time with you, whether that means playing outdoors or cuddling up on the couch after a long day.

Are English Labradors Intelligent?

English Labradors are considered one of the most intelligent dogs around, and they easily learn new things or their owner’s routines. They pick up on habits easily, and they have a knack for getting their way, which sometimes might result in a little bit of friendly chaos around your home.

Are English Labradors Energetic?

English Labradors may have medium to high levels of energy, and the exercise needs of this breed depend on your specific dog. Unlike American Labradors which are generally high energy dogs across the board, some English Labradors tend to be more laidback and less prone to rambunctious behavior.

That being said, your English Labrador will still need a couple of lengthy walks each and plenty of play time outdoors with you to stay healthy and happy. They will also enjoy regular visits to dog parks where they can run around and socialize with other dogs.

Are English Labradors Easy to Train?

English Labradors are easy to train, as this breed is intelligent, loves to spend time with their owners, and is eager to please.

You can teach your English Labrador the basics, which will be especially easy if you start from a young age, and then build on their skills with more complex tasks. These dogs are generally curious and happy to learn, something that makes training a breeze.

Are English Labradors Good Watchdogs?

English Labradors are not very good watchdogs, mostly due to their friendly and social nature. These dogs might bark at strangers they see approaching their property, but they aren’t likely to become aggressive or appear threatening to a true threat. It’s more likely that they will seek out affection and attention from this newcomer because of their outgoing personalities.

Are English Labradors Good Service Dogs?

English Labradors and American Labradors are among the most popular choices for service dogs, as they are intelligent, love to learn new things, and loyal to their owners. Their size and strength enable them to complete tasks such as guidance and mobility support, and they have the agility to be able to retrieve items and open and close doors.

English Labradors are also good candidates for acting as emotional support animals, therapy dogs, and psychiatric service dogs.

How to Care for an English Labrador?

English Labradors are a friendly and easygoing breed, and their care needs are not particularly high maintenance. You will need to walk your English Labrador at least twice a day for around 30 minutes each minimum. They will also need daily playtime with toys and regular visits to a dog park or a similar area where they can run around freely and socialize with other dogs.

English Labradors don’t enjoy spending long hours at home alone, and they shouldn’t be left more than six to eight hours at a time. Your dog will need their own space in your home complete with a bed and interactive toys, and they will need to be brushed a few times a week to help with their shedding fur.

You will need to feed your English Labrador a quality diet of wet or dry food, and they will need to visit a vet regularly to ensure they stay healthy and happy throughout their lives.

Do You Need to Groom an English Labrador?

English Labradors have average grooming needs – they will need to be brushed once or twice a week to help prevent tangles and remove shed fur. You can bathe your English Labrador as necessary, and they quite like playing in water and being bathed.

Occasionally, you may want to take your English Labrador to a professional groomer to get them fully spruced up and help them fully shed their fur.

Do English Labradors Shed?

English Labradors are generally known as heavy shedders due to their short double coat. They will need to be brushed regularly to help remove shed fur. This breed is not considered hypoallergenic.

What Health Problems Do English Labradors Have?

As a breed, English Labradors are relatively healthy, though they might suffer from a few different health issues due to their genetics. Common health issues among this breed include elbow and hip dysplasia, heart problems, eye problems like cataracts, bloat, and hereditary myopathy, which is a loss of muscle strength and control.

Regular veterinary visits will help to ensure your English Labrador stays healthy and that you catch any health problems before they become too serious.

How Long Do English Labradors Live?

On average, English Labradors live between 10 and 12 years. A healthy diet and active lifestyle, plus regular veterinary care, will help keep your English Labrador thriving for as long as possible.

What Should an English Labrador Eat?

An English Labrador should eat between one and a half to three cups of food per day, depending on the caloric value of the food, the dog’s exercise needs, and the size and health of your dog. Both high-quality wet and dry foods are suitable to feed your English Labrador, and you may want to combine these food sources for them.

If you have any questions about feeding your English Labrador, make sure to speak with a veterinarian for more information.

Is an English Labrador the Right Dog for Me?

English Labradors are a friendly, outgoing, and social breed. This dog is a great choice for anyone who is looking for an affectionate companion dog or a dog they can train to be a service dog. English Labradors are active and enthusiastic, and they enjoy spending as much time with their owners as possible.

This breed is not a good choice if you need a guard dog or watchdog, as they are much too friendly. Though, they make a good choice for an individual who is looking to add an affectionate, loyal, and intelligent companion into their lives.