Are Labrador Retrievers Good Dogs? What Science Says

Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022

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Introduction to the Temperament of the Labrador Retriever

The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Labrador Retriever out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.

In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Labrador Retriever based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Labrador Retriever breed.

We obtained our description of the temperament of Labrador Retriever by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.

The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.

Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Labrador Retriever.

The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.

The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.

The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:

  1. Aggression towards stranger
  2. Aggression towards its owner
  3. Aggression towards other dogs
  4. How well they get along with other dogs
  5. Fear of strangers
  6. Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
  7. Fear of other dogs
  8. Separation anxiety
  9. Clinginess
  10. Trainability/ Stubbornness
  11. Prey drive
  12. Excitability
  13. Touch sensitivity
  14. Energy level

In this article, we will discuss the score of the Labrador Retriever for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Labrador Retriever.

The summary table below shows the score of the Labrador Retriever for the different behavioral characteristics.

High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.

Behavior Score
Energy Level 57.1 percent
Attachment Attention Seeking 47.2 percent
Excitability 45.0 percent
Prey Drive 30.5 percent
Dog Directed Fear 27.9 percent
Dog Directed Aggression 27.6 percent
Separation Related Behavior 26.0 percent
Touch Sensitivity 22.9 percent
Stranger Directed Aggression 22.8 percent
Stubbornness 21.2 percent
Nonsocial Fear 19.7 percent
Dog Rivalry 15.0 percent
Stranger Directed Fear 12.8 percent
Owner Directed Aggression 10.7 percent

Note that with proper training, you can better your Labrador Retriever`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Labrador Retriever, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Labrador Retriever.

See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.

Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards Strangers?

Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.

Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.

Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit aggressive towards strangers.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for aggression towards strangers.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 95 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 22.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit aggressive towards strangers just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score
92 Tibetan Terrier 23.5 %
93 Pointer 23.5 %
94 Norwegian Elkhound 23.2 %
95 Labrador Retriever 22.8 %
96 Brittany 22.5 %
97 Scottish Terrier 21.2 %
98 Border Terrier 20.5 %

The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Dachshund
  3. Miniature Pinscher
  4. Dachshund (Miniature)
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:

  1. Siberian Husky
  2. Greyhound
  3. Irish Wolfhound
  4. Samoyed
  5. Black and Tan Coonhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most stranger-aggressive breed to the least stranger-aggressive breed.

Temperament of the Labrador Retriever

Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards their Owners?

Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.

Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.

A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit aggressive towards their owners.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for aggression towards its owner.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 83 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an owner-directed-aggression score of 10.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit owner-aggressive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Owner-Directed-Aggression Score
80 Golden Retriever 11.2 %
81 Australian Kelpie 11.0 %
82 Keeshond 10.9 %
83 Labrador Retriever 10.7 %
84 German Shepherd 10.4 %
85 Giant Schnauzer 10.3 %
86 Weimaraner 10.2 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:

  1. Pekingese
  2. Basenji
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Lhasa Apso
  5. Alaskan Husky

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Pointer
  3. Irish Water Spaniel
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback
  5. Italian Greyhound

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to their owners to the ones that are least aggressive to their owners.

Are Labrador Retrievers Aggressive Towards other Dogs?

Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.

A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs

A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.

Labrador Retrievers are not aggressive towards other dogs.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for aggression towards other dogs.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 100 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-directed aggression score of 27.6 %.

Other dog breeds that are not dog-aggressive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Aggression Score
97 Havanese 28.5 %
98 Bichon Frise 28.1 %
99 Dingo 27.7 %
100 Labrador Retriever 27.6 %
101 Norwegian Elkhound 27.2 %
102 Newfoundland 27.0 %
103 Golden Retriever 26.7 %

The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:

  1. American Eskimo Dog
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Pit Bull mix
  5. Dachshund

The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:

  1. Pointer
  2. Black and Tan Coonhound
  3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
  4. Irish Wolfhound
  5. Keeshond

Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most aggressive to other dogs to the ones that are least aggressive to other dogs.

Personality of the Labrador Retriever

Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Strangers?

Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.

Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.

Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.

Labrador Retrievers are not fearful of strangers.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for fear of strangers.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 100 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a stranger-directed-fear score of 12.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are not stranger-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Stranger-Directed-Fear Score
97 Bull Terrier 14.0 %
98 Samoyed 13.6 %
99 Collie 13.0 %
100 Labrador Retriever 12.8 %
101 Irish Setter 11.7 %
102 Pointer 11.5 %
103 German Wirehaired Pointer 11.3 %

The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Chinese Crested
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:

  1. Old English Sheepdog
  2. Irish Wolfhound
  3. Norwegian Elkhound
  4. Siberian Husky
  5. Giant Schnauzer

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of strangers to the ones that are least fearful to strangers.

Are Labrador Retrievers Afraid of Other Dogs?

Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.

A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit fearful of other dogs.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for fear of other dogs.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 79 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-directed-fear score of 27.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Dog-Directed-Fear Rank Breed Dog-Directed-Fear Score
76 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 30.4 %
77 Brittany 29.9 %
78 Golden Retriever 29.4 %
79 Labrador Retriever 27.9 %
80 Doberman Pinscher 27.7 %
81 Boxer 27.5 %
82 Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 27.5 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Dachshund (Miniature)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Chihuahua
  5. Lhasa Apso

The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Ibizan Hound
  3. Eurasier
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of other dogs to the ones that are least fearful of other dogs.

Is the Labrador Retriever a good pet

Do Labrador Retrievers Have Non-Social Fears?

Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for non-social fear.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 92 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a nonsocial-fear score of 19.7 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit nonsocial-fearful just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Nonsocial-Fear Rank Breed Nonsocial-Fear Score
89 Scottish Terrier 19.9 %
90 Bernese Mountain Dog 19.8 %
91 Belgian Malinois 19.7 %
92 Labrador Retriever 19.7 %
93 Vizsla 19.4 %
94 Irish Wolfhound 18.7 %
95 Weimaraner 18.4 %

The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Dingo
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. English Bulldog
  5. Italian Greyhound

The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:

  1. Giant Schnauzer
  2. Siberian Husky
  3. Irish Setter
  4. Kuvasz
  5. Borzoi

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations to the ones least fearful of unfamiliar situations.

Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well With Other Dogs?

Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.

These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.

Labrador Retrievers are not competitive when dealing with other dogs.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low on dog rivalry.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a dog-rivalry score of 15.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are not competition-driven just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Dog-Rivalry Rank Breed Dog-Rivalry Score
114 Golden Retriever 18.6 %
115 Kuvasz 16.5 %
116 Brittany 15.3 %
117 Labrador Retriever 15.0 %
118 Border Terrier 13.8 %
119 Bernese Mountain Dog 12.4 %
120 Scottish Terrier 8.2 %

The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Miniature Pinscher
  2. Parson Russell Terrier
  3. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  4. French Bulldog
  5. Treeing Walker Coonhound

The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:

  1. Chinook
  2. Norwegian Elkhound
  3. Saint Bernard
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Scottish Terrier

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.

The Labrador Retriever. Is it aggressive?

Are Labrador Retrievers Easy to Train?

Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.

Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.

Labrador Retrievers are quite a bit easy to train.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks high for trainability.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 33 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the trainability of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a trainability score of 78.8 %.

Other dog breeds that are quite a bit easy to train just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Trainability Rank Breed Trainability Score
30 Eurasier 79.2 %
31 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 78.9 %
32 Papillon 78.8 %
33 Labrador Retriever 78.8 %
34 Weimaraner 78.8 %
35 Bernese Mountain Dog 78.1 %
36 Chinook 76.4 %

The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:

  1. Belgian Tervuren
  2. Belgian Malinois
  3. Border Collie
  4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
  5. Irish Water Spaniel

The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:

  1. Dingo
  2. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  3. Basenji
  4. Afghan Hound
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the ones that are easiest to train to the ones that are most difficult to train.

Learn more about how intelligent the Labrador Retriever is and how the intelligence of the Labrador Retriever affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Labrador Retriever is.

Do Labrador Retrievers Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?

Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.

Labrador Retrievers are not into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks very low for small-pet-chasing.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a chasing score of 30.5 %.

Other dog breeds that are not into chasing after smaller pets just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Chasing Rank Breed Chasing Score
96 Pekingese 30.9 %
97 Golden Retriever 30.7 %
98 Belgian Sheepdog 30.6 %
99 Labrador Retriever 30.5 %
100 Bichon Frise 30.4 %
101 Papillon 29.9 %
102 Italian Greyhound 29.9 %

The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Basenji
  2. Dingo
  3. Ibizan Hound
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Borzoi

The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:

  1. Pug
  2. Bulldog
  3. Shih Tzu
  4. Bernese Mountain Dog
  5. Great Pyrenees

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.

Things to know before getting the Labrador Retriever

Do Labrador Retrievers Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?

Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.

These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.

Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 77 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 47.2 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit attachment/attention-seeking just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank Breed Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score
74 Pointer 48.1 %
75 Fox Terrier (Smooth) 47.9 %
76 Redbone Coonhound 47.8 %
77 Labrador Retriever 47.2 %
78 Shetland Sheepdog 46.9 %
79 Bulldog 45.5 %
80 Fox Terrier (Wire/Wire-haired) 45.4 %

The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:

  1. Poodle (Toy)
  2. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  3. Australian Silky Terrier
  4. Australian Cattle Dog
  5. American Eskimo Dog

The dog breeds that are aloof are the:

  1. Norwegian Elkhound
  2. Borzoi
  3. Kuvasz
  4. English Setter
  5. Chow Chow

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.

Do Labrador Retrievers have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?

Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.

These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.

They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit prone to developing separation anxiety.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 93 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a separation anxiety score of 26.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Separation-Related-Behavior Rank Breed Separation-Related-Behavior Score
90 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 26.2 %
91 Akita 26.1 %
92 Saint Bernard 26.1 %
93 Labrador Retriever 26.0 %
94 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 26.0 %
95 Lagotto Romagnolo 25.9 %
96 Border Collie 25.4 %

The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:

  1. Treeing Walker Coonhound
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. Chinese Crested
  4. Miniature Pinscher
  5. Australian Silky Terrier

The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Giant Schnauzer
  4. Eurasier
  5. Bernese Mountain Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.

Temperament Profile of the Labrador Retriever

Are Labrador Retrievers Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?

Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.

These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.

Labrador Retrievers are a little bit touch-sensitive.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks low for touch sensitivity.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 84 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has a touch-sensitivity score of 22.9 %.

Other dog breeds that are a little bit touch-sensitive just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Touch-Sensitivity Rank Breed Touch-Sensitivity Score
81 Irish Setter 23.8 %
82 Belgian Malinois 23.5 %
83 Ibizan Hound 23.1 %
84 Labrador Retriever 22.9 %
85 Lagotto Romagnolo 22.9 %
86 Scottish Terrier 22.5 %
87 Havanese 22.3 %

The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  2. Miniature Pinscher
  3. Pekingese
  4. Australian Silky Terrier
  5. Chihuahua

The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Borzoi
  3. Pointer
  4. Gordon Setter
  5. Portuguese Water Dog

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.

Are Labrador Retrievers Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?

Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:

  • going for walks
  • car trips
  • sound of the doorbell
  • arrival of visitors, and
  • the owner arriving home

Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.

Labrador Retrievers are somewhat hyper (excitable).

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks average for excitability.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 62 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an excitability score of 45.0 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat excitable just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Excitability Rank Breed Excitability Score
59 Chinese Crested 45.6 %
60 Havanese 45.2 %
61 Cocker Spaniel (English) 45.2 %
62 Labrador Retriever 45.0 %
63 Belgian Sheepdog 45.0 %
64 Irish Water Spaniel 44.4 %
65 Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 44.4 %

The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Australian Silky Terrier
  2. Fox Terrier (Smooth)
  3. American Eskimo Dog
  4. Parson Russell Terrier
  5. Miniature Schnauzer

The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:

  1. Borzoi
  2. Samoyed
  3. Great Pyrenees
  4. Italian Greyhound
  5. Anatolian Shepherd

See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.

The Labrador Retriever

Are Labrador Retrievers Playful? What is the Energy Level of Labrador Retrievers

Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.

Labrador Retrievers are somewhat energetic.

This is because the Labrador Retriever ranks average for energy level.

The Labrador Retriever ranks number 63 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.

This information is based on what 764 Labrador Retriever owners reported on the temperament of their Labrador Retriever in a research survey.

Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Labrador Retriever has an energy-level score of 57.1 %.

Other dog breeds that are somewhat energetic just like the Labrador Retriever are listed in the table below

Energy-Level Rank Breed Energy-Level Score
60 Poodle (Standard) 57.9 %
61 German Wirehaired Pointer 57.5 %
62 Shetland Sheepdog 57.3 %
63 Labrador Retriever 57.1 %
64 Pembroke Welsh Corgi 56.8 %
65 Irish Setter 56.6 %
66 Siberian Husky 55.7 %

The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:

  1. Belgian Malinois
  2. Belgian Tervuren
  3. Fox Terrier (Toy)
  4. German Shorthaired Pointer
  5. Ibizan Hound

The dog breeds that are laziest are the:

  1. Kuvasz
  2. Anatolian Shepherd
  3. Greyhound
  4. Great Pyrenees
  5. Pekingese

See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.

Conclusion on Labrador Retriever Temperament

The temperament of your Labrador Retriever comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Labrador Retriever is exposed to.

You cannot change your Labrador Retriever`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Labrador Retriever to.

Exposing your Labrador Retriever to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Labrador Retriever to what you desire.

Again, with proper training, you can better your Labrador Retriever`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.

I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.

Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Labrador Retriever.

If you think the Labrador Retriever is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Labrador Retrievers cost and Labrador Retriever puppy buying guide.

Also, see our list of reputable Labrador Retriever breeders in the United States and the prices of their Labrador Retriever puppies.