The ideal weight for a full-grown Labrador is between 27 and 34kg. They’re known for their big appetites and can easily become overweight. To keep your dog at an ideal weight, you need to measure their food. How much to feed a Labrador will be dependent on their age and size. You’ll be able to find a food amount guide on the back of their food packaging.

As puppies, a Labrador will need to be fed 3-4 times a day. As they get bigger, adult dogs will only need to be fed once or twice a day. If you do get your Lab as a puppy, it’s recommended to continue feeding it the same food as the breeder. If you want to change the food, you’ll need to do this gradually, mixing their current food with the new food to get them used to it. Sudden changes in a puppy’s diet can cause give them a stomach upset.

Labradors have a reputation for being greedy, so you should make sure their food is out of reach or locked away. If they can reach the food, they’re more than likely to eat it. This also goes for any human food left unattended.

Labradors have a short coat that is easy to groom. Brushing once a week will help keep your dog’s coat clean and shiny.

Labradors do shed throughout the year, but as the seasons change you should expect heavy shedding. This is when you’ll need to keep up with their grooming. The more you brush out, the less there is to fall out. Add grooming to your puppy training so that they get used to it. Professional groomers will be able to provide you with more grooming advice.

The good news is you won’t need to bathe your Labrador regularly. Thanks to the natural oil in their coat, a bath every few months will be fine.

Labrador puppies have lots of energy and will need daily exercise. Adult dogs will need a couple of hours of exercise every day. You can split this time between walking and playing games outside. Labradors are very good at playing fetch, which is a great way to burn off extra energy.

Exercising will stop your dog from becoming overweight and decrease the chances of health problems later in life. A Labrador’s energy levels don’t seem to change much as they get older. Even an elderly dog will still want to fetch a ball and go for a walk.

Labradors are also natural swimmers and will gravitate towards water. Playing fetch in a lake, pond or slow-flowing river is a great way to burn off excess energy and get them clean after a muddy walk.

Labradors are obedient and easy to train, they’re quick to learn and eager to please. Reward-based training with their favourite treats is effective as Labradors are extremely food-motivated. The more you practice, the quicker your dog will learn.

House training is an important step, and you should start puppy toilet training as soon as you take your pet home. Getting your puppy into a good toileting routine will help them get used to the idea of going outside. Take them out first thing in the morning, at regular intervals throughout the day, after naps, after meals and before bedtime. If you take them to the same spot every time, the scent will help prompt them to do their business.

Every time they go, give them a reward and lots of praise and soon indoor accidents will be a thing of the past.

Labradors can make excellent companions around the house thanks to their intelligence and keenness to please. They can be trained not to jump on furniture, to stay in certain parts of the house, and to go to the toilet outside. However, they do require a lot of exercise to burn off excess energy, and if they don’t get enough they may become destructive out of frustration.

In terms of grooming, Labradors are relatively low maintenance. Weekly brushing and monthly baths are enough to keep their coats healthy, but they will shed around the house so you might find more regular vacuuming is required.

Labradors are high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercise. At least an hour of walking is needed every day, as well as training and games to keep their brains occupied. A Labrador that hasn’t has sufficient exercise may be prone to weight gain and destructive behaviour.

Labradors are often referred to as beginner dogs as they are easy to train compared to a lot of other breeds. Their intelligence, willingness to please, gentle loving natures and high food-motivation means they learn quickly. However, any dog is a big commitment and Labradors need regular exercise, committed training and lots of love and attention to keep them content and well-behaved family members.