Adopt Labrador Retriever Shelter Dogs

If you want to adopt a Labrador Retriever, you're making a wonderful decision. These dogs are friendly, active and sensitive – and want nothing more than to be fully part of a family. Giving a rescue dog a second home takes patience and empathy, but it rewards you with an incomparably grateful partner for life.

When such a child- and family-friendly dog is given up, it's rarely down to the dog's character but to changed circumstances such as separation, illness or lack of time. The wrong expectations of the breed often play a part too. The Labrador Retriever was originally bred for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. Many people underestimate how much mental exercise this clever working dog needs in everyday life.

Especially in adolescence, a male standing 56 to 57 cm at the shoulder and weighing 29 to 36 kg packs enormous physical force. Without consistent leadership during this time, the boisterous nature quickly becomes too much for owners. Grooming the short, dense, water-repellent coat takes little effort, but the regular shedding around the home surprises many new dog owners.

At a shelter you'll often find diamonds in the rough. Because the Labrador Retriever is extremely people-oriented and sensitive, it usually suffers quietly in the kennel from being separated from its person. In the new home, there's often some catching up to do: some dogs are overexcited at first, pull on the leash or can't stay alone well yet. The good news: thanks to their outstanding trainability and high motivation to work with people, even adult dogs quickly make up for what they've missed.

Assessing health and history properly

As a popular breed, Labrador Retrievers have some typical weak spots – above all in the joints and eyes, and because of their clear tendency toward obesity. A health-focused breeder has the parents' hips and elbows X-rayed for hip and elbow dysplasia, carries out regular ophthalmological eye exams (for example for cataracts and retinal dysplasia) and uses DNA tests – which show whether a dog is clear, a carrier or affected for prcd-PRA, exercise-induced collapse (EIC) or hereditary nasal parakeratosis, so carriers are only paired with clear partners. With a shelter dog, though, the genetic background is often unknown. If the dog originally comes from a puppy mill, this important health care is missing entirely. With dogs in dilute coat colors such as silver or charcoal, also watch for skin problems caused by color dilution alopecia.

At the shelter, vaccinations, a microchip and a veterinary check on arrival are usually covered; ask to see the paperwork. Plan ahead to keep your dog strictly lean to protect its joints from overload.

A puppy from a breeder costs between 1,500 and 2,500 EUR. If you choose a Labrador Retriever from a shelter, you only pay an adoption fee, which is just a fraction of the breeder price and goes straight to animal welfare. Bear in mind, though, that the cost of good-quality basics (a sturdy harness, an orthopedic dog bed, bowls) stays the same. Also build up a financial cushion for possible vet bills in case your dog develops joint or eye problems over its life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

• Calm before action: Don't overwhelm your new companion with constant visitors. Give it one to two weeks to get to know your daily life calmly.
• Create clear structures: Fixed feeding and walking times give this sensitive dog security in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Scent work, not ball obsession: Use its natural love of retrieving for calm search games with a food dummy. That gives it mental exercise, spares the joints and strengthens your bond.
• Ration food strictly: Use the breed's typical appetite for training, but consistently subtract treats from the daily ration to prevent obesity.