Are Labrador Retrievers Good Dogs To Have Around Kids? What To Know

Labrador retrievers are a beloved dog breed, and for good reason. Along with being known for their versatility in almost any situation, their calm, friendly nature makes them great to have around kids. In fact, the American Kennel Club lists Labrador retrievers as one of the best family dog breeds. As of 2024, they have been in the top five of the AKC's most popular dog breeds for 10 years.

When looking for a dog to add to a family with kids, it's important to consider their temperament, exercise needs, trainability, and how well they respond to children — especially infants and toddlers. For many, a Labrador Retriever hits all the marks for families because of their versatility. They're adaptable to a wide variety of needs and lifestyles. Labrador retrievers are also easy-to-train, making them a great first dog for kids to handle. Further, their high intelligence and smarts allows them to excel at activities like agility, obedience, and other canine sports. 

Labrador retrievers typically have a happy and amiable temperament. While they can get worked up and excited, they're often eager to play and join in on family activities. Labs also love to please, making them great companions for a game of fetch or a cuddle session on the couch.

Labrador retrievers are exceptionally affectionate. They get along great with people, including kids, as well as other dogs. However, since Labrador retrievers are traditionally a sporting breed, they may have a higher prey drive around wildlife and small animals. If you have other pets in your house, you'll want to slowly introduce them or raise them together. Labs are also a large dog breed, so they may knock over smaller children or toddlers more easily. Training them to be gentle around tiny tots is best.

Dogs can offer a lot of enrichment through activities such as training and play. The easy trainability of the Labrador retriever makes them a great first dog for kids. They're quick to pick up on new things and eager to elicit a positive response.

"Known for their affectionate nature and ease of training, labs are ideal for active families seeking a hearty and loving companion," Bradley Phifer, executive director of the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, explained to Reader's Digest.

Socialization is important for every dog, so be sure to have the entire family take part in training. Younger kids can teach tricks alongside parents or help with tasks such as feeding and brushing. Labrador retrievers are easy to groom, so even young children will have no issue assisting with brushing and bathing. Socialization activities are also a great way to get kids involved. These include attending puppy classes and trips to the dog park to help ensure positive interactions with other pets and people.

Labs have a reputation for being highly energetic and playful, which makes them great for families who like to spend time outdoors. However, it's important to keep in mind some Labs are more active than others. 

The American and English Labrador Retriever. According to some breeder Greenstone Labradors, the American Lab is bred for field work and tends to be more active and energetic. The show Retriever, or "English" Lab can have a stockier body, and may be lower energy. The former can work with families who enjoy traveling, hiking, or sports, while the latter may be more suitable for families with smaller children. That said, Labrador Retrievers are classified as a large dog breed, topping out at 80-100 pounds. This is important to keep in mind as their excitable nature means they could accidentally topple or injure a small child during play. For this reason, families with toddlers or infants may want to be extra careful before adopting a Lab. 

Most Labrador Retrievers have moderate exercise needs of about 40 minutes per day. This is perfect for smaller children, who can easily participate in nature walks or walks around the neighborhood. Labs are perfectly happy to come along on car rides or join a quick game of tag in the backyard. However, Labrador Retrievers can also be food vacuums, which can make them prone to being overweight. It's important that any Lab gets enough exercise, and that children are taught not to leave food and other items around.

More energetic Labradors also perform great in dog sports, such as agility, obedience trials, and scent work. Obedience and agility trials both require more intensive training, which may be better with older kids or teens. Scent training involves placing scent markers in hidden areas around a home or building — something younger children may enjoy participating in. These activities are all fairly easy to get into and don't require a lot of knowledge to get started, which makes them great to try out with children. You can look for a local branch that offers beginner classes to get started.

Adopting a Lab into your family means that your children will have the benefit of growing up alongside them, as the average lifespan of is around 10 to 13 years. That said, Labs can be prone to genetic health issues, which is why it is important to pick a Lab puppy that comes from well-bred parents. Learning how to tell if you have a purebred Labrador Retriever can help you determine what you may need to watch out for. 

Problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia should be evaluated thoroughly before bringing your new puppy home. These conditions can cause chronic pain, which may make a dog more irritable around smaller children. However, they are treatable conditions. It's important to keep these issues in mind when picking out a dog for kids, as the sudden or early passing of a beloved friend may be hard for a younger child to handle. Setting up a plan to help kids prepare for the passing of a pet, such as creating a memorial and discussing their feelings, can help ensure things go OK.