Dog Breeds: L

The perfect example of a family pet, the Lab-Pointer is a dog that is full of life and fawningly affectionate with those it loves and trusts. Relatively large, they require a good amount of space and need plenty of exercise to keep them mentally stimulated and in good shape. Their high prey drive means that they should be supervised around small animals.

A kind-hearted, loyal dog, the Lab'Aire makes a good family pet though should be watched around young children. They enjoy being trained and can pick up on new cues impressively quickly. They relish spending time outdoors and are especially good swimmers. Certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, must be monitored for, particularly in breeding stock.

A fun-loving, high-energy dog that is a big fan of the great outdoors, the Labany is the ideal companion for those that like to keep fit and live in the countryside. Clever dogs, they are relatively easy to train to a high standard and enjoy learning new commands and tricks. Affectionate with people, they make friends with practically anyone they meet.

A mixed breed with endless energy, the Labbe requires a committed owner with an active lifestyle and plenty of time on their hands. Happiest when outside, there is something seriously wrong if these guys turn down a walk! Gentle and loving, this dog thrives in the company of others and dislikes having to spend too much time alone.

A dog designed to scent and retrieve, the Labloodhound makes a superior hunting dog. Their sense of smell is almost unparalleled in the canine world and they love nothing more than to be working outside. The affable nature of these large dogs makes them a good choice of pet for those with children, though their high exercise requirements may not suit every household.

The Labmaraner, also known as a Weimador, is a hybrid dog – a mix between a purebred Labrador Retriever and a Weimaraner. This active dog needs plenty of exercise, but in return is loving and loyal. Obedience training is a must, and although a friendly dog, they can have a strong prey drive and are best suited to a home without cats or other small pets.

A mixture of the Labrador Retriever and American Pitbull, the Labrabull is a fun and energetic family pet that loves to spend time with children. Training is essential to ensure they are social and do not show aggression with new people or unknown dogs. With tons of energy, this bred requires plenty of exercise and will become easily bored if under-stimulated.

A handsome and proud dog, the Labradane certainly fits the bill of ‘the gentle giant’. They are kind to children and have a lot of patience for their shenanigans. While they don’t need a huge amount of exercise, it is important that they have a large and secure back yard in which to burn off some steam.

The Labradinger is a handsome and playful dog with energy to spare that loves nothing more than to be in your company. Bonding closely with their family, this breed hates to be left alone and wouldn’t suit a family that are away a lot of the time. Plenty of games, training sessions and fun exercise will keep this breed on their toes.

The Labradoodle is a designer breed that results from crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Because it is not a breed, the Labradoodle’s characteristics are not quite consistent and both temperament and appearance vary. Initially created to be hypoallergenic guide dogs, Labradoodles became popular as family pets, getting people’s attention for their friendliness and joyfulness. Loving and affectionate, Labradoodles are also active, high-energy dogs.

The Labrador Corso is a hybrid dog, a mix of Labrador Retriever and Cane Corso Italiano. A large, short coated dog, the dog requires plenty of exercise. The downside of the Labrador Corso is a tendency to be over-protective and possibly unpredictable. Therefore they are not suitable to inexperienced owners or for those living with children. Health problems include hip dysplasia and gastric dilation and volvulus.

The Labrador Husky is an intelligent dog from Canada bred for sled pulling and as a companion. It is friendly and easy to train, but with incredible stamina, and needs daily vigorous exercise – ideally, in a home with a yard. It is good with children and large dogs, but has a strong prey drive that may be problematic for households with cats and small dogs.

The Labrador Retriever is a medium sized, outgoing, friendly and intelligent dog, originally from Canada but developed in England, to retrieve fowl during shoots. An exceptionally lively but popular and highly trainable breed, which requires plenty of exercise to combat weight gain and is exceptionally good with children. The Labrador has a weather-proof coat, which sheds but does not require specialist grooming. Selection of a healthy family line is important to avoid some inherited health conditions.

High-energy, affectionate and always on the lookout for something to do, the Labraheeler is a dog who needs committed and active owners. They bond strongly with all family members and seem to develop a soft spot for any children in the home. Alert and happy to patrol any time of the day or night, this cross-breed makes a superior watch dog.

A dedicated dog that lives to protect its family, the Labrakita benefits from thorough socialisation to prevent the development of hostility towards strangers. A stocky breed that can easily put on weight, they require plenty of exercise and should live in a good-sized house with a garden. Be warned, these dogs can shed fur excessively!

A handsome dog with a proud expression and elegant gait, the Labrala makes a superb companion for those with active and outdoorsy lifestyles. The Labrala loves nothing more than to roam on open land all day before cuddling in close to their family at night. Their dedication to their owners makes them good and attentive watch dogs.

A big dog with an even bigger heart, the Labrottie loves nothing more than to cuddle up with you on the sofa after an active day. They rarely ignore a command and enjoy being active and having a task to complete. Often suspicious of strangers, this breed makes a good watchdog though does require intensive socialisation to prevent unwanted hostility.

A fun-loving, attention-seeking big ball of energy, the Labsky is not a breed for the faint-hearted. While this dog enjoys keeping active and busy, once the day is done, they love nothing more than to cuddle close to their owner and shower them with affection. Firm training and early socialisation are essential to avoid bad habits setting in.

A breed of dog traditionally used to guard linen set out in fields and watch over livestock, the Laekenois Dog is a rare breed of Belgian Shepherd Dog that is still frequently used as a working animal to this day. High energy, this dog benefits from an active lifestyle, and should be given a job to do if at all possible.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is thought to be the ancestral breed of other European water retrievers. Originally kept to retrieve ducks from the swamps in Romagna, Northern Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo nearly disappeared forever. However, a renewed interest in the breed kept this hard-working breed alive. Active, intelligent and playful, the Lagotto will certainly keep you on your toes!

The Lakeland Terrier is a sturdy and intelligent small dog, developed in its native Lake District to hunt and kill foxes bigger than itself. Far removed from this setting, the breed makes an excellent family dog, particularly for households without other pets. Its wiry coat does not shed, however, its tendency to bark means it may not be suitable for densely populated urban areas.

Bred as a nimble and brave drover’s dog in the Northwest of England, the Lancashire Heeler is a rare breed with a loyal following. It is an active, clever, and spirited breed that needs plenty of exercise and a firm owner. Its tendency to nip at ankles makes it unsuitable for very young children, and it may not always get along with smaller pets.

The Landseer is a gentle, affable, giant breed dog that originated in Canada but developed further in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. Originally used to retrieve fishing nets, these dogs are great swimmers and have been known to rescue drowning people. They are perfect family pets, love children of all ages, and make excellent guardians.

The Lapponian Herder is an intelligent, energetic, docile, and friendly herding dog originally from Finland. In addition to being an excellent family pet, these dogs excel in herding and other activities that require sustained physical activity. They are good with children and with other dogs if socialised early.

Few non-hunting homes can provide the exercise and stimulation that this versatile and energetic German gundog requires. However, for hunters looking for an all-rounder that will double as a cheerful and tractable family pet, the Large Münsterländer may be the perfect breed. With its very strong prey drive, it does not mix well with smaller animals, but is very sociable with other dogs.

The Leonberger was bred to resemble a lion, but its temperament is anything but fierce. This gentle giant is renowned for its affectionate and submissive nature with its owners, and is sweet enough to make a suitable pet for children of all ages, despite often weighing over 60 kg. The breed is playful and energetic, needing a moderate amount of exercise and regular brushing.

Lhasa Apsos were bred by the monks of ancient Tibet to be brave and confident sentinel dogs. As a result, this is a small dog with a big attitude! Distrustful of strangers, but loyal to his family, the Lhasa requires plenty of socialisation, and is not a dog for young children. The breed’s coat requires a lot of grooming, but they do not require much exercise, and can adapt to indoor living.

The Lithuanian Hound is an intelligent, energetic scent hound bred for hunting rabbit, fox, and boar in its native country of Lithuania. These dogs are loyal companions but require vigorous daily exercise. They are great with older children, other dogs, and families with an active, outdoor lifestyle. They are not recommended for households with cats.

The Löwchen is a small dog with lots of personality. Inquisitive, intelligent and affectionate, they were the lap dog of choice for European aristocracy for many centuries. Traditionally, they were clipped to appear like lions, and while they will bravely announce the approach of a stranger the resemblance ends there. They are playful little dogs who love attention and company.

A wonderful little companion, the Lucas Terrier is a good-natured dog that loves human companionship and is always up for a game. While originally bred to hunt small quarry, this breed is now mostly kept as a pet and gets on extremely well with young children and other dogs. Very smart, the Lucas Terrier is highly trainable.

A dog that was bred in the 14th century to get around laws prohibiting the ownership of Sighthounds, the Lurcher has come a long way. Often used in dog racing and for hare coursing, this breed is known for its incredible speed and ability to see their prey in the distance. When not working, these dogs make wonderful companions.