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Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever
Photo: IDS.photos from Tiverton, UK / CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia

1,610 Labrador Retrievers in the atlas. Every number on this page has a source.

Population-genetic snapshot of Labrador Retrievers in the Sniff Atlas, source-graded Mendelian carrier frequencies from Donner 2023, and nutrition guidance tied to the genetic findings above.

Also known as Lab and Labrador.

See in the atlas → From CanVAS
The plain version

Labrador Retrievers have a moderately diverse genetic background, meaning they have a good mix of genes without being too inbred. They are medium to large dogs, typically weighing around 67 lb, and often live about 13 years. Some health conditions, like Stargardt Disease and Exercise-Induced Collapse, have been found in their gene pool, reflecting the breed as a whole—not a prediction for any one dog—so it’s a good idea to talk to your vet or consider genetic testing.

What the atlas says about Labrador Retriever

In the atlas, the Labrador Retriever clusters consistently as Labrador Retriever (100% of the 1610 dogs here).

Low breed predictability score (0.10), individual dogs of this breed vary widely in genetics, suggesting active substructure or sub-population diversity. Well-sampled in CanVAS: 1,610 dogs.

Median lifespan is 13.1 years, slightly longer than expected for the breed size (30.5 kg).

Genetic dimensions · CanVAS atlas

What the genome says about Labrador Retriever

Computed from the 18,477 research dogs in the Atlas.

Dogs in the Atlas
1,610Founders
726 from Wiener, 635 from Hayward2016, 126 from Momozawa
Genetic diversity
0.32Moderate
Mean heterozygosity across the breed. Ranks 66th most genetically tight of 107 ranked breeds.
What does genetic diversity mean?

How varied a breed's gene pool is — the share of gene spots where a typical dog of the breed carries two different versions rather than two identical ones.

How to read it: Higher = more diverse. Among well-sampled breeds it ranges roughly 0.22 (least diverse) to 0.33 (most diverse).

Diversity is a strength, not a verdict on any individual dog. Lower diversity means it's worth paying attention to recessive-risk testing — not that a dog is doomed.

Cluster structure
Splits into two genetic sub-populations
Intra-breed RMS distance: 59.87 · likely working/show-line, regional, or kennel lineage split.
What does within-breed variation mean?

How much individual dogs within the breed differ from each other genetically.

How to read it: Higher = more internal variety among individuals of the breed.

Sensitive to how many dogs of the breed we've sampled.

Related breeds
Built from
Close cousins
In the Sporting group
Explore the full lineage map →
VBO foundation stock (breeding records) · AKC breed group
Relatedness is documented lineage + kennel family. Genetic-ancestry distance measures diversity, not kinship, so it isn't used here.
How long they live
13.1years (life expectancy)
95% CI 13–13.1 · VetCompass, McMillan 2024, n=43,428. source
What does typical lifespan mean?

The median age dogs of the breed tend to reach.

How to read it: Higher = longer-lived. Compare to longevity-for-size to see whether it's just a size effect.

Drawn from population lifespan records; individual dogs vary widely with care, genetics, and luck.

Trait genetics
Allele frequencies at named morphology loci

Frequency of the alternate allele in this breed at each locus's representative SNP.

Body size
IGF154%
HMGA254%
SMAD287%
LCORL98%
STC254%
ADAMTS1757%
Leg length
FGF4·CFA1888%
FGF4·CFA1277%
Coat
RSPO232%
FGF554%
KRT7196%
MC1R56%
Ear set
MSRB355%
Skull shape
BMP354%
SMOC289%
n = 1,610 dogs · high confidence · CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Sniff Atlas
Names & origins

Other names

The Labrador Retriever is also recorded as Lab and Labrador.

Identified as Labrador Retriever (VBO:0200800) in the Vertebrate Breed Ontology (Mullen et al. 2025, CC-BY 4.0) · registry IDs FCI 122 · iDog 147 · VeNom 14631.

Temperament

What Labrador Retrievers tend toward

Tendencies from owner surveys of purebred Labrador Retrievers — a leaning across the breed, not a prediction for any one dog. A bar’s strength shows how much of that behavior breed actually explains: for most it’s faint, because the rest is your dog, their training, and the life you give them.

Human Sociabilitybreed ~11%
less sociablehighly sociable
Toy-directed Motor Patternsbreed ~18%
toy-directednot toy-directed
Biddabilitybreed ~18%
biddableindependent
Agonistic Thresholdbreed ~9%
assertivediffident
Dog Sociabilitybreed ~8%
less sociablehighly sociable
Arousal Levelbreed ~8%
arousedcomposed
Proximity Seekingbreed ~13%
affectionatealoof
Environmental Engagementbreed ~9%
high engagementlow engagement
n = 255 dogs · Morrill et al. 2022, Science, Darwin's Ark (CC0)
Owner-reported purebreds; each factor n ≥ 25. "Breed ~%" is the share of this behavior explained by breed.
What you see when you look at a Labrador Retriever

What does the genome say about how a Labrador Retriever looks?

Labrador Retrievers look the way they do because of a small set of fixed and near-fixed morphology genes that, taken together, define the visible breed. Each translation below pairs the gene with the trait an owner actually sees, the breed's allele frequency at that locus, and a one-clause causal phrase.

Where the breed-defining genes act, mapped on a generic dog-body key — and how fixed each marker is in the Labrador Retriever. The figure is the most-settled marker we read in that region; the full per-locus panel is below. (The silhouette is a shared anatomical guide, not this breed's outline.)

Body sizeLCORL · 98%Skull shapeSMOC2 · 89%EarsMSRB3 · 55%Leg lengthFGF4 CFA18 · 88%Coat & colorKRT71 · 96%
CanVAS trait-locus panel (Brundage 2026)
15 morphology markers read across 5 regions. Allele frequency = how fixed a marker is in this breed, not whether your dog carries it.

Size and build

IGF1 sits at 54% for the small-body allele. IGF1 is the gene that sets dog body size from Chihuahua to Great Dane. Intermediate frequencies typically keep a breed in the mid-sized range rather than tipping toward the larger working forms.

IGF1what this gene does

IGF1 is a gene that plays a key role in determining a dog's body size. It influences how much a dog grows, affecting overall stature.

For your dog: Knowing about IGF1 gives you insight into your dog's size traits, but it’s just one part of the bigger picture when it comes to their health and care.

Full IGF1 gene page →

HMGA2 sits at 54%. HMGA2 is a chromosome-10 size locus that acts together with IGF1, and intermediate frequencies reflect partial commitment to the dominant size variant.

HMGA2what this gene does

HMGA2 is a gene that influences body size in dogs, helping determine how big or small a dog grows.

For your dog: Knowing about HMGA2 helps you appreciate the genetic factors behind your dog's size, but it doesn't signal any health issues.

Full HMGA2 gene page →

SMAD2 is near-fixed at 87%, a chromosome-7 height locus differentiating small from giant breeds.

SMAD2what this gene does

SMAD2 is a gene involved in regulating body size by influencing how cells grow and develop.

For your dog: Knowing about SMAD2 helps understand your dog's size traits but isn't linked to health issues; no immediate action needed.

Full SMAD2 gene page →

LCORL is near-fixed at 98%, the NCAPG/LCORL height locus that is one of the strongest single contributors to canine body size.

LCORLwhat this gene does

LCORL is a gene that influences body size in dogs. It helps determine how big or small a dog might grow.

For your dog: Knowing about LCORL helps you appreciate the genetic factors behind your dog's size, but it’s just one piece of the bigger picture when it comes to health and care.

Full LCORL gene page →

STC2 sits at 54%.

ADAMTS17 sits at 57%. ADAMTS17 is a body-size locus also linked to lens disorders.

ADAMTS17what this gene does

ADAMTS17 is a gene that influences body size and also plays a role in certain eye conditions. It affects the structure of tissues in the eye and elsewhere in the body.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry ADAMTS17 variants, it’s worth discussing genetic testing and eye exams with your vet to stay ahead of potential issues.

Full ADAMTS17 gene page →

Leg length

The FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 18 is near-fixed in this breed at 88%. This is the leg-length variant. The breed is fully committed to the long-legged form rather than the short-legged Corgi-and-Dachshund body plan.

The FGF4 retrogene on chromosome 12 sits at 77%, the chondrodystrophic variant.

Coat type, length, and color

RSPO2 sits at 32% for the furnishings variant. Furnishings (the eyebrow-and-mustache pattern seen in Schnauzers and Wheaten Terriers) vary across the population at this intermediate frequency, and visible expression depends on the specific allele combination each dog carries.

RSPO2what this gene does

RSPO2 influences the texture and appearance of a dog's coat, particularly the presence of 'furnishings' like mustaches and eyebrows. It helps determine whether a dog has that distinctive wiry or textured look.

For your dog: If your dog has those wiry eyebrows or a mustache, RSPO2 is part of the reason—no health worries, just a coat feature worth knowing about.

Full RSPO2 gene page →

FGF5 sits at 54% for the long-coat variant. Coat length is influenced by other loci as well, so intermediate FGF5 frequencies do not always correspond to intermediate visible coat lengths.

FGF5what this gene does

FGF5 is a gene that influences the length of a dog's coat. It acts like a natural switch, telling hair follicles when to stop growing longer fur.

For your dog: If your dog has a notably long or short coat, FGF5 is likely part of the reason—no action needed, but it’s a neat genetic detail to know.

Full FGF5 gene page →

KRT71 is near-fixed at 96% for the wavy/curly variant. Coat curl phenotype varies across breeds at this fixation depending on modifier loci, and visible expression is not always curled even when the locus is fixed.

KRT71what this gene does

KRT71 is a gene that influences the curliness of a dog's coat. It helps determine whether a dog's fur is straight or has a distinctive curl.

For your dog: If your dog has a curly coat, KRT71 is likely part of the reason; it’s a natural variation, not a health concern.

Full KRT71 gene page →

MC1R sits at 56% at the representative SNP. MC1R controls the switch between red-to-gold pigment and black-to-brown pigment, with the e/e homozygous genotype producing the gold-to-red spectrum. Substrate frequencies at this SNP depend on the array's polarity, so visible coat color in the breed is a more reliable indicator than this single number.

MC1Rwhat this gene does

MC1R is a gene that influences coat color in dogs, affecting how pigments are produced in the fur.

For your dog: Knowing about MC1R gives insight into your dog's coat color but doesn't relate to health issues.

Full MC1R gene page →

Ears

MSRB3 sits at 55% for the drop-ear allele, which is why ear set varies across the breed.

MSRB3what this gene does

MSRB3 is a gene involved in the development of ear shape and structure in dogs.

For your dog: Understanding MSRB3 helps explain why your dog's ears look the way they do, but it isn't linked to any health issues.

Full MSRB3 gene page →

Skull shape

BMP3 sits at 54%, contributing to the breed's moderate, mesaticephalic head shape rather than the extreme brachycephalic form.

BMP3what this gene does

BMP3 is a gene that influences the shape of a dog's skull, particularly contributing to a shorter, broader head shape known as brachycephaly.

For your dog: If your dog has a broad, short skull, it's worth discussing with your vet how this might impact their health, even though BMP3 isn't directly tied to illness.

Full BMP3 gene page →

SMOC2 is at 89%, the major locus contributing to the breed's brachycephalic face shape.

SMOC2what this gene does

SMOC2 influences the shape of a dog's skull, particularly affecting how flat or short the face appears.

For your dog: If your dog has a short nose, it's worth discussing with your vet how this trait might impact their health over time.

Full SMOC2 gene page →
Mendelian-disease genetics

What genetic diseases do Labrador Retrievers carry?

From a panel of 250 Mendelian-disease variants screened in 1,054,293 dogs (Donner et al. 2023), Labrador Retrievers carry 48 of them at observable frequency. Carrier frequency is not clinical risk. Most recessive variants require two copies for disease expression; many dominant variants show incomplete penetrance. Read this as a population fingerprint of what's in the gene pool, not a per-dog prediction.

Stargardt Disease (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
moderate 11.2%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:002179-9615 · omia.org →
ABCA4what this gene does

ABCA4 is a gene that helps manage the transport of molecules in the retina, the part of the eye responsible for vision.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry ABCA4 variants, it's worth discussing eye health with your vet, especially as they age.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
moderate 10.6%
n = 16,853 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001466-9615 · omia.org →
DNM1what this gene does

DNM1 is a gene that helps nerve cells communicate properly by managing how they send signals during muscle activity.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it's worth discussing EIC with your vet, especially if your dog is very active or shows signs of weakness during exercise.

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)
Autosomal recessive
low 7.2%
n = 16,825 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001298-9615 · omia.org →
PRCDwhat this gene does

PRCD is a gene involved in the health of a dog's retina, the part of the eye that detects light and helps with vision.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry PRCD changes, it's worth discussing eye health and potential genetic testing with your vet.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever; HNPK)
Autosomal recessive
low 2.0%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001373-9615 · omia.org →
Centronuclear Myopathy (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever; HACD1-related; CNM)
Autosomal recessive
low 1.0%
n = 16,849 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001374-9615 · omia.org →
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Golden Retriever; GR_PRA2)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.91%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001984-9615 · omia.org →
Skeletal Dysplasia 2 (SD2)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.85%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001772-9615 · omia.org →
COL11A2what this gene does

COL11A2 is a gene that helps produce a type of collagen important for healthy bones and cartilage.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry COL11A2 variants, it's worth discussing genetic testing with your vet to understand any risks.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.58%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000263-9615 · omia.org →
SOD1what this gene does

SOD1 is a gene that helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier of SOD1 variants, it's worth discussing with your vet, but remember carrier status doesn't mean your dog will get the disease.

Chondrodystrophy and Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk (CDDY)
Autosomal dominant
low 0.41%
n = 16,758 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000157-9615 · omia.org →
FGF4what this gene does

FGF4 influences leg length by affecting bone growth, leading to shorter legs in certain breeds.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry this gene, it's worth discussing spinal health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t guarantee problems.

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.22%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001928-9615 · omia.org →
Ichthyosis (Discovered in the Golden Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low 0.20%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001588-9615 · omia.org →
PNPLA1what this gene does

PNPLA1 is a gene involved in maintaining the skin's barrier by helping produce essential fats that keep the skin healthy and hydrated.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry PNPLA1 variants and shows persistent dry, flaky skin, it's worth discussing with your vet to understand if genetics might be playing a role.

Cone-Rod Dystrophy (cord1-PRA/crd4)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low 0.18%
n = 16,829 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001432-9615 · omia.org →
RPGRIP1what this gene does

RPGRIP1 is a gene involved in the function of photoreceptor cells in the eye, which help dogs see in different light conditions.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to a breed known to carry RPGRIP1 mutations, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand the risks and monitor eye health.

Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:000218-9615 · omia.org →
NHEJ1what this gene does

NHEJ1 is a gene involved in repairing breaks in DNA, helping maintain the integrity of genetic information in cells.

For your dog: If your dog belongs to one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it's worth discussing testing with your vet to understand any potential eye health risks.

Canine Scott Syndrome (CSS)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001353-9615 · omia.org →
ANO6what this gene does

ANO6 is a gene that helps regulate how blood cells expose certain signals on their surface, which is important for normal blood clotting.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed known to carry ANO6 mutations, it’s worth discussing with your vet before any procedures to ensure bleeding risks are managed.

Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001033-9615 · omia.org →
SLC2A9what this gene does

SLC2A9 is a gene that helps regulate uric acid levels in a dog's body. It plays a role in how the kidneys handle this substance.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene variant, it’s worth discussing with your vet to understand any potential urinary health concerns.

Cystinuria Type I-B (SLC7A9 p.A217T)
Autosomal recessive (Incomplete penetrance)
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:001880-9615 · omia.org →
SLC7A9what this gene does

SLC7A9 is a gene that helps transport certain amino acids in the kidneys. It plays a role in how the body handles cystine, an amino acid that can form crystals.

For your dog: If your dog is a carrier, it’s worth discussing with your vet to monitor urinary health and catch any issues early.

MDR1 (Multidrug Resistance 1) Medication Sensitivity
Autosomal dominant
low <0.1%
n = 16,853 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001402-9615 · omia.org →
ABCB1what this gene does

ABCB1 is a gene that helps control how certain drugs are processed and cleared from a dog's body.

For your dog: If your dog is from a breed that carries this gene variant, ask your vet about medication sensitivities before giving any new drugs.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy risk factor (Discovered in the Doberman Pinscher; PDK4-related)
Autosomal dominant (Incomplete penetrance)
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000162-9615 · omia.org →
PDK4what this gene does

PDK4 helps regulate how cells use energy, especially in the heart muscle.

For your dog: If your dog is one of the breeds known to carry this gene, it’s worth discussing heart health with your vet, but being a carrier doesn’t mean your dog will develop disease.

Von Willebrand's Disease, Type 1 (vWD 1)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,855 dogs · 1 variant tested · OMIA:001057-9615 · omia.org →
Narcolepsy (Discovered in the Labrador Retriever)
Autosomal recessive
low <0.1%
n = 16,856 dogs · 2 variants tested · OMIA:000703-9615 · omia.org →
Plus 28 more at lower frequency. Full table available via the API when shipped.
Source: Donner J et al. 2023. Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651 · Evidence: Limited (DTC ascertainment, tag-SNP proxy) · Confounding MEDIUM · License CC-BY-4.0 · Phene IDs from OMIA (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).
Sample size in this breed: 16,856 dogs from the Donner 2023 cohort.

Which Mendelian variants matter most for Labrador Retrievers?

The Mendelian-disease table above lists variants screened in 16,856 Labrador Retrievers (Donner 2023). Five matter most by carrier frequency and impact.

Stargardt Disease

Stargardt Disease in Labradors is a recessive retinal degeneration caused by a variant discovered in the breed. Affected dogs lose central vision progressively, starting in early adulthood. Vision loss is irreversible and limits the dog’s ability to navigate unfamiliar environments. About 11.2% of Labradors in the Donner cohort carry the variant (n=16,856). More than one in nine.

Every dog with two copies will develop the disease (Donner S4 penetrance: 1/1 at-risk dogs phenotype-confirmed). Testing is widely available through commercial DNA labs and breed-specific panels. Testing before breeding is standard practice in responsible Labrador lines.

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)

Exercise-Induced Collapse in Labradors is a recessive neuromuscular condition that emerges during intense activity. Affected dogs lose hind-limb coordination and collapse during or shortly after sustained exercise. They recover within minutes to hours. The trait is disabling for working dogs and limits athletic activity. About 10.6% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,853).

The incomplete penetrance is important: only some dogs with two copies actually collapse under field conditions (Donner S4 penetrance: 0/2 at-risk dogs phenotype-confirmed, n=2). Testing is available and widely used in field-trial and hunting lines.

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (prcd-PRA)

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration in Labradors is a recessive form of progressive retinal atrophy. The disease causes gradual vision loss starting with night blindness and progressing to complete blindness by middle age. About 7.2% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,825). Testing is available and is often included on multi-disease panels.

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK)

Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis in Labradors is a recessive condition discovered in the breed. Affected dogs develop buildup of keratin on the nasal planum, which can crack, bleed, and become infected. The condition is chronic but manageable with topical treatment and nose protection. About 2.0% of Labradors carry the variant (n=16,856).

The penetrance data suggest incomplete expression: in the Donner cohort, no homozygous dogs showed confirmed phenotype (Donner S4 penetrance: 0/1). Testing is available.

How should I test my Labrador Retriever?

A breed-specific panel from a CLIA-accredited lab is the high-yield path. The minimum useful set for Labradors is Stargardt Disease (ABCA4), EIC (DNM1), prcd-PRA, HNPK, CNM, and DM. Carrier testing before breeding is the standard practice in responsible breeding lines.

What should I feed a Labrador Retriever?

Feeding a Labrador well means feeding around the breed’s known genetic vulnerabilities and the metabolic traits that define the breed. Labradors were selected for water-retrieval endurance and food motivation remains their signature. That same drive makes weight management the single most consequential feeding decision an owner makes.

Labradors gain weight faster than most breeds and obesity is the most common Labrador health failure. The breed’s appetite regulation is genuinely different from other large breeds. A Labrador fed free-choice will become overweight within months. Portion control and meal-feeding (twice daily, measured kibble) are not optional. The OFA reports that overweight status is a significant risk factor for hip dysplasia; hip dysplasia is present in 4.2% of Labradors across 28,652 OFA evaluations (ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/). Excess weight accelerates joint wear and reduces lifespan.

Large-breed puppy formulations with controlled calcium matter during the growth phase. Labradors reach 55 to 80 pounds at adulthood. The growth rate is rapid enough that calcium-to-phosphorus ratios between 1.1:1 and 2:1 are essential to avoid developmental orthopedic disease. NRC 2006 (Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, National Academies Press) recommends 0.8 to 1.6 grams of calcium per 1,000 kilocalories for growing large-breed dogs. Once the dog is at adult height (typically 12 to 14 months), transition to a maintenance formula and strictly meter portions.

Taurine supplementation is sensible. Grain-free and pulse-heavy diets remain under FDA scrutiny (FDA 2019 DCM advisory); Labradors have not been flagged as a breed with elevated DCM signal, but the controversy applies across large breeds. A grain-inclusive adult formula from a manufacturer that performs AAFCO feeding trials is the conservative default. If you choose a novel-protein or limited-ingredient diet, verify the taurine content on the label or confirm supplementation with the manufacturer.

What we don’t know

The mechanism behind Exercise-Induced Collapse remains incompletely characterized. The variant is well-mapped, but the penetrance data are sparse. In the Donner cohort, no homozygous dogs showed confirmed EIC (0/2), yet the condition is clearly real in field populations. Which genetic, environmental, or conditioning factors tip a homozygous dog into symptomatic collapse is not yet documented.

Stargardt Disease in Labradors is a recent discovery. Long-term prognosis, age of onset variability, and whether any dietary intervention slows progression have not been systematically studied in the breed. Veterinary ophthalmologists have limited data on typical progression rates.

The breed’s broad carrier burden across multiple retinal variants (Stargardt at 11.2%, prcd-PRA at 7.2%, GR-PRA2 at 0.91%) suggests high historical inbreeding around vision genes. The selective pressure that fixed these variants is not documented.

Frequently asked questions about Labrador Retrievers

What is the most common genetic disease in Labrador Retrievers? Stargardt Disease, caused by a variant in ABCA4. 11.2% of Labradors carry one copy (Donner 2023, n=16,856). All dogs with two copies develop the disease.

Are Labrador Retrievers prone to hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is present in 4.2% of Labradors evaluated by the OFA across 28,652 evaluations (ofa.org/diseases/hip-dysplasia/). This is moderate prevalence. Weight management during growth and maintenance is the most effective preventive strategy.

What is Exercise-Induced Collapse? EIC is a neuromuscular condition that causes temporary hind-limb paralysis during intense exercise. Dogs recover within minutes to hours. About 10.6% of Labradors carry the variant (Donner 2023, n=16,853). Testing is available and recommended for field-trial and hunting lines.

Should I do a DNA test on my Labrador Retriever? For breeding stock, yes. A panel covering Stargardt Disease, EIC, prcd-PRA, and other top variants is standard practice in responsible breeding programs. For pet dogs, testing can clarify risk for vision loss and collapse.

How long do Labrador Retrievers typically live? The atlas median is 13.1 years. Lifespan varies with individual genetics, diet, weight, and exercise. Maintaining lean body condition and regular veterinary screening are the strongest owner-controlled factors for longevity.

What is the best diet for a Labrador Retriever? A measured-portion, grain-inclusive large-breed formulation with controlled calcium and taurine supplementation. Free-choice feeding is almost certain to result in obesity. Meal-feed twice daily with portions adjusted to keep the dog at lean body condition.

Are Labrador Retrievers good family dogs? Yes. Labradors are widely used as family companions and service dogs. Their retrieving drive and food motivation make them highly trainable. They require regular exercise and mental enrichment.

Can Labrador Retrievers handle hot weather? Labradors have dense double coats and moderate heat tolerance. Exercise during peak heat should be limited. Provide shade, fresh water, and air-conditioned rest areas. The breed’s thickness makes them more prone to overheating than short-coated breeds.

A gift to human medicine

Labrador Retrievers are a natural model for human disease

Because the same genes cause the same conditions across species, the inherited conditions documented in Labrador Retrievers help researchers understand, and work toward treating, the human diseases they model. This is the dog advancing human medicine. The breed models the human disease; it does not have it, and this is not a prediction for your dog.

Human equivalents via OMIA → Mondo / OMIM. Model-of, not identity.
Documented in OMIA

Every condition recorded in the Labrador Retriever

Beyond the testable carriers above, OMIA's literature catalogue records 62 genetic conditions in the Labrador Retriever, 47 of which have a known human equivalent. This is the documented landscape across all Labrador Retrievers ever studied, not a prediction for any one dog.

Plus 44 more conditions recorded in the Labrador Retriever in OMIA.

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA); Nicholas, Tammen & Sydney Informatics Hub, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70
Documented in the breed's literature is not carrier status and not a forecast for an individual dog. Human equivalents are mapped via Mondo/OMIM. Carrier frequencies (above) are the separately-measured testable subset (Donner 2023).
The data behind this page

Where every number on this page came from.

This page draws on three primary data sources. Carrier frequencies for the Mendelian section come from Donner et al. 2023 (CC-BY-4.0). We grade these data at evidence Limited because the cohort is a direct-to-consumer ascertainment, which biases toward owners who chose to test their dogs. The panel also uses tag-SNP proxies for some variants rather than direct causal-variant assays. Limited is a study-design grade, not a quality grade: the Donner cohort is the largest open canine-genotype dataset in existence and we are grateful for it. We rate the confounding MEDIUM.

Population-genetic dimensions (heterozygosity, intra-breed PCA distance, nearest neighbors, trait-locus frequencies) come from CanVAS (Brundage 2026), harmonized through the Sniff Atlas. The exact release date and verification commit are pinned at the bottom of the page so a researcher can trace a number back to a specific snapshot. The disease-gene-variant graph comes from OMIA (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals; Nicholas, Tammen, and the Sydney Informatics Hub at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney; retrieved April 2026, DOI 10.25910/2AMR-PV70).

What this page does not yet have. Inheritance modes and per-disease penetrance evidence from Donner 2023 are now in the structured data for every variant the panel covers. Mondo, OMIM, Ensembl, and HGNC cross-references on gene pages remain pending, they arrive in December 2026 alongside the imputed 9.67M-variant CanVAS dataset via the OMIA SQL dump absorption. Until then, gene IDs carry NCBI Gene and OMIA phene URLs only; the wider human-homolog and disease-ontology cross-reference set fills in with that release.

How to cite this page. The computed dimensions on this page are derived from the open Sniff Atlas v1.0.1 (Gehring 2026, doi:10.5281/zenodo.20566358, CC-BY 4.0). Full citation formats including BibTeX, RIS, and CITATION.cff at sniff.world/cite.

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References
  1. Donner J, Freyer J, Davison S, Anderson H, Blades M, Honkanen L, et al. (2023). Genetic prevalence and clinical relevance of canine Mendelian disease variants in over one million dogs. PLOS Genetics 19(2):e1010651. doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.1010651
  2. Brundage J, et al. (2026). CanVAS: a harmonized canine variant atlas. bioRxiv. doi:10.64898/2026.04.13.718238
  3. Nicholas, F.W., Tammen, I., & Sydney Informatics Hub. (2026). Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA) [dataset]. The University of Sydney. https://omia.org. doi:10.25910/2AMR-PV70 (retrieved April 2026).
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Sources: CanVAS (Brundage 2026) · Donner 2023 · OMIA