Labrador Retrievers require large amounts of both mental and physical work due to their breeding. This should be taken into consideration before purchasing as they require a minimum of an hour of activity a day to avoid behavioral problems. Most exercise options will also get the owner out and about as well.
Breeding
In the 19th century till today, fisherman use the breed to help bring in the nets by grabbing the cork buoys, and hunters use them to retrieve fowl that had fallen in the water. As primarily working dog, they were bred with a high level of intelligence to follow complicated instruction and an inexhaustible drive to do their job. Essentially, they were bred to work and, when not given a job, can become behavioral nightmares.
Exercise
Before purchasing a Labrador, make sure you will have ample time to exercise them. These dogs were bred to work all day so they require more exercise then the average dog on a consistent basis. At the very least, a large yard should be afforded the dog to entertain himself.
The ideal work for one of these dogs is the work they were bred for--retrieving. A tennis ball and racket can provide hours of entertainment for these dogs as you hit the ball and they bring it back to you. If feasible, taking them to a pond, ocean or swimming pool to swim or water retrieve will make them feel like they are doing their job and will burn off some energy. Retriever tournaments held in several cities allow the dogs to compete for the longest jump into water fetching a toy.
Running with them is another option, not to mention being good for the owner, too. Leash train them to run alongside you so they are not constantly taking off after squirrels and other critters while you are trying to run. This should be done daily or, minimally, every other day due to the high energy level present in the animals. These dogs are bred for athleticism and can handle miles of running at a time.
Dog agility training is another great option, combining athletic work and mental focus from the dog. Dog agility meets can be found in most communities and consist of an obstacle course the animal most complete according to direction from their owner. Practicing at home with some of the obstacles is a great way to mentally and physically stimulate your dog.
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