Which health problems are common in the Labrador Retriever?
Labradors are prone to weight gain, ear infections and joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia and arthritis. A lean weight and hip and elbow screening are the main ways to help.
Updated November 9, 2026
What should Labrador Retriever owners watch for?
Common for the breed doesn't mean your dog will have it.
- Weight. Labradors gain weight easily, and extra weight strains the joints. Ask your vet to check the body shape at each visit.
- Ears. Ear infections are common. Head shaking, scratching or a smell from the ear are the signs.
- Hips and elbows. Hip and elbow dysplasia and later arthritis are common in the breed. Stiffness after rest, limping or trouble on stairs are the signs.
- Lumps. Fatty lumps under the skin are common as they age. Show your vet any new or growing lump.
- Collapse after hard exercise. Some carry a gene that causes wobbling and collapse during intense, exciting exercise, more so in heat. A DNA test shows it.
Which checkups do vets often suggest?
| Checkup | What it is | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray | X-ray of the hips, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Elbow X-ray | X-ray of the elbows, usually under sedation, to check for dysplasia. Schemes take it from 1 year of age in the UK and 2 in the US; ask your vet when. | From 1 year · Once |
| Eye exam by an ophthalmologist | A specialist checks the eyes for inherited problems. Screening programmes suggest repeating it every year. | Every year |
| DNA test for exercise-induced collapse | A cheek swab or blood test that shows whether the dog carries the gene behind collapse during intense exercise. Done once, at any age. | Once |
Your vet decides which checkups fit your pet, and when.
How do I keep a Labrador Retriever health record?
VetVitae, a free pet health record app for iPhone, Android and the web, shows these notes on your dog’s profile under Health, and Plan it opens the exam or test with its name filled.
For vaccines, parasites and the signs that can’t wait, see the dog care guide.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Your vet knows your pet.
Sources
- Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders, McGreevy et al., Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, 2018
- Sporting group health testing requirements, American Kennel Club
- Recommended tests for Labrador Retriever, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Retriever (Labrador), Breed health and Breed Watch, The Royal Kennel Club
- Exercise induced collapse, Veterinary Medical Centre, University of Saskatchewan
- Hip Dysplasia Scheme, British Veterinary Association
- Elbow Dysplasia Scheme, British Veterinary Association
Start a record for your pet.
Add your pet, log the last vaccine, and you're set up. Use it in your browser, on iPhone or on Android.