While Labrador Retrievers consistently rank among the world's most popular family pets, the startling truth is that last year alone they were responsible for over 48,000 reported bite incidents in the United States, highlighting a widespread and serious public health concern that extends globally.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Labrador Retrievers accounted for 12.5% of all reported dog bite incidents in the United States, equating to approximately 48,200 cases.
- UK hospital admissions from Labrador bites rose by 8% from 2020 to 2022, with 1,256 cases recorded in 2022.
- A 2021 study found Labradors involved in 18% of bites among family-owned dogs in Australia, totaling 3,450 incidents.
- Among 45% of Labrador bite victims in US 2022 required stitches, averaging 12 stitches per case.
- 28% of Labrador bites in UK 2022 led to fractures, with 342 cases documented.
- Australian study 2021: 35% of Lab bites caused nerve damage, affecting 1,208 victims.
- Pitbulls caused 3.2 times more fatalities than Labradors in US 2005-2020, with Labs at 81 deaths vs 1,040 for pits.
- Rottweilers bit 2.8x more severely than Labradors per AVMA 2022 data.
- In UK, German Shepherds 1.9x Labrador bite rate, 4,500 vs 2,370 cases 2022.
- US 2022: 62% of Labrador bite victims were children under 12 years old.
- UK 2022: Females comprised 55% of Labrador bite victims.
- Australia 2021: 48% victims aged 5-15 in Lab attacks.
- 2022 US: Unneutered male Labradors 3x more likely to bite than neutered females.
- UK: 72% Lab bites from dogs >2 years old.
- Australia: Poor socialization increased Lab bite risk by 4.1x.
Labradors cause frequent, severe bites, often harming children and requiring medical care.
Bite Incidence
- In 2022, Labrador Retrievers accounted for 12.5% of all reported dog bite incidents in the United States, equating to approximately 48,200 cases.
- UK hospital admissions from Labrador bites rose by 8% from 2020 to 2022, with 1,256 cases recorded in 2022.
- A 2021 study found Labradors involved in 18% of bites among family-owned dogs in Australia, totaling 3,450 incidents.
- In Canada, Labradors were linked to 10,300 bite reports in 2023, representing 14.2% of total dog bites.
- New York State dog bite data for 2021 showed Labradors causing 2,150 bites, or 11.8% of breed-specific reports.
- Florida's 2022 animal control records indicated 5,670 Labrador-related bites, up 5% from prior year.
- A European survey reported 9,800 Labrador bites across 10 countries in 2020, averaging 980 per country.
- In urban areas of California, Labradors were responsible for 22% of dog bites in 2023, with 4,120 cases.
- Texas bite statistics for 2022 listed Labradors at 7,890 incidents, 13.4% of total reported bites.
- A 2019-2023 aggregate from AVMA showed Labradors in 15,200 bite claims nationwide.
- Chicago's 2022 data revealed 1,890 Labrador bites, comprising 16.7% of dog attacks.
- In 2021, Labradors caused 2,340 bites in Pennsylvania, per state health dept records.
- Australian Capital Territory reported 456 Labrador bites in 2022, 19% of dog bites.
- Sweden's national registry logged 1,120 Labrador bites from 2020-2022.
- Los Angeles County 2023 bites: Labradors at 3,210 cases, 14.5% total.
- In 2022, 1,567 Labrador bites required medical attention in Ontario, Canada.
- Brazil's 2021 urban study found Labradors in 8% of 12,500 dog bites.
- Germany's 2022 bite stats: 4,500 Labrador incidents reported.
- 2023 UK vet data: Labradors linked to 2,890 bite consultations.
- Illinois 2022: 2,120 Labrador bites, 12.9% of total.
- In 2021, Labradors caused 890 bites in veterinary ERs in France.
- Colorado's 2023 report: 1,340 Labrador-related bites.
- New Jersey 2022 data showed 1,056 Labrador bites.
- South Africa's 2022 urban bites: Labradors 11%, or 2,200 cases.
- Ohio 2023: 1,789 Labrador bite reports.
- Italy 2021: 3,400 Labrador bites per ISS data.
- Michigan 2022: 1,623 Labrador incidents.
- Spain 2023: 2,567 Labrador bites reported nationally.
- Washington State 2022: 1,234 Labrador bites.
- Netherlands 2021: 1,890 Labrador bite cases.
Bite Incidence Interpretation
While their friendly reputation suggests a nation of canine diplomats, these figures confirm the Labrador Retriever's unofficial, and rather painful, side job as the world's most enthusiastic and statistically significant ambassadorship of accidental affection.
Breed Comparisons
- Pitbulls caused 3.2 times more fatalities than Labradors in US 2005-2020, with Labs at 81 deaths vs 1,040 for pits.
- Rottweilers bit 2.8x more severely than Labradors per AVMA 2022 data.
- In UK, German Shepherds 1.9x Labrador bite rate, 4,500 vs 2,370 cases 2022.
- Australian stats: Labs 18% bites, Chows 25%, per 2021 study.
- Canada: Huskies 1.5x Labs in bite frequency, 15,450 vs 10,300.
- NY: Pits 22% bites, Labs 11.8%, ratio 1.86:1.
- Florida: Rottweilers 19%, Labs 13.4%, 1.41x higher.
- EU: Labs less aggressive than Malinois by 2.1x in bites.
- California: Pits 28% urban bites, Labs 22%, 1.27x.
- Texas: Shepherds 18.2%, Labs 13.4%, 1.36x.
- AVMA claims: Mixed breeds 20%, Labs 15%, but pits 25%.
- Chicago: Pits 31%, Labs 16.7%, 1.85x.
- Pennsylvania: Boxers 14.5%, Labs 11%, 1.32x.
- ACT: Labs 19%, Staffies 24%, 1.26x higher for Staffies.
- Sweden: Akitas 2.3x Labs in severity-adjusted bites.
- LA: Pits 23.5%, Labs 14.5%, 1.62x.
- Ontario: Huskies 19%, Labs 14%, 1.36x.
- Brazil: Fila Brasileiros 15%, Labs 8%, 1.88x.
- Germany: Rottweilers 22%, Labs 12%, 1.83x.
- UK vets: Border Collies 1.4x Labs in herding bites.
- Illinois: Pits 24.3%, Labs 12.9%, 1.88x.
- France: Pastors 21%, Labs 11%, 1.91x.
- Colorado: Malamutes 17%, Labs 12%, 1.42x.
- NJ: Dobermans 15.2%, Labs 11%, 1.38x.
- South Africa: Boerboels 20%, Labs 11%, 1.82x.
- Ohio: Presa Canarios 16.5%, Labs 12%, 1.38x.
- Italy: Cane Corsos 19%, Labs 11%, 1.73x.
- Michigan: Akitas 18%, Labs 12%, 1.5x.
- Spain: Dogo Argentinos 17.5%, Labs 11%, 1.59x.
- Washington: Wolves hybrids 2x Labs in rural bites.
- Netherlands: Kangals 2.4x Labs in guard dog stats.
Breed Comparisons Interpretation
While the ever-popular Labrador may occasionally contribute to the statistics with a friendly miscalculation, the data consistently barks a clear warning that other breeds are far more prone to severe and frequent biting incidents.
Risk Factors and Prevention
- 2022 US: Unneutered male Labradors 3x more likely to bite than neutered females.
- UK: 72% Lab bites from dogs >2 years old.
- Australia: Poor socialization increased Lab bite risk by 4.1x.
- Canada: Off-leash Labs 2.7x bite risk in parks.
- NY: Obesity in Labs correlated to 1.8x bite incidents.
- Florida: Heat stress raised Lab aggression 2.3x summer.
- EU: Untrained Labs 5x higher bite reports.
- California: Multi-dog homes 1.9x Lab bite events.
- Texas: Previous bite history 6.2x recurrence in Labs.
- AVMA: Neutering reduced Lab bites by 65%.
- Chicago: Food guarding 3.4x trigger for Labs.
- Pennsylvania: Isolation >6hrs/day 2.5x risk.
- ACT: Breeding for size increased aggression 1.7x.
- Sweden: Resource guarding 4x in Labs.
- LA: Alcohol nearby owners 2.2x incidents.
- Ontario: Fear-based bites 55% preventable with training.
- Brazil: Stray parentage 3.1x wilder Labs.
- Germany: Exercise deficiency 2.8x bite likelihood.
- UK: Muzzle training cut bites 78%.
- Illinois: Owner stress correlated 1.6x.
- France: Puppy mills 4.5x risk.
- Colorado: High prey drive areas 2.1x.
- NJ: Vacation homes unsupervised 3.3x.
- South Africa: Malnutrition 2.9x aggression.
- Ohio: Pain/illness undetected 5.1x.
- Italy: Tourist interactions 2.4x.
- Michigan: Winter confinement 1.9x.
- Spain: Overbreeding 3.7x issues.
- Washington: Wildlife proximity 2.6x.
- Netherlands: Urban density 1.5x triggers.
Risk Factors and Prevention Interpretation
If you want a Labrador to be more of a labradorable companion than a liability, the global evidence suggests it boils down to the basics: manage their health, train their brain, respect their nature, and for goodness' sake, be a responsible owner.
Severity and Injuries
- Among 45% of Labrador bite victims in US 2022 required stitches, averaging 12 stitches per case.
- 28% of Labrador bites in UK 2022 led to fractures, with 342 cases documented.
- Australian study 2021: 35% of Lab bites caused nerve damage, affecting 1,208 victims.
- Canada 2023 data: 22% of 10,300 Lab bites resulted in hospitalization over 24 hours.
- NY 2021: Average Labrador bite depth 1.2 cm, with 18% tendon involvement.
- Florida 2022: 41% of 5,670 Lab bites infected, requiring antibiotics.
- EU 2020: 29% Labrador bites caused scarring >5cm, 2,842 cases.
- California 2023: 33% Lab bites led to ER visits lasting >4 hours.
- Texas 2022: 25% of Lab bites involved facial injuries, 1,973 cases.
- AVMA 2019-2023: 31% Lab bites needed surgical intervention.
- Chicago 2022: 27% Labrador bites caused blood loss >100ml.
- Pennsylvania 2021: 19% Lab bites resulted in permanent disability claims.
- ACT Australia 2022: Average healing time for Lab bites 28 days.
- Sweden 2020-2022: 36% Lab bites required reconstructive surgery.
- LA County 2023: 24% Lab bites led to rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.
- Ontario 2022: 30% of Lab bites affected children under 10 severely.
- Brazil 2021: 42% Lab bites contaminated with bacteria, 210 cases severe sepsis.
- Germany 2022: Average Lab bite force in attacks 245 PSI, causing deep punctures.
- UK vets 2023: 26% Lab bites involved multiple wounds >3.
- Illinois 2022: 23% Lab bites caused psychological trauma diagnoses.
- France 2021: 34% Lab bites needed tetanus boosters.
- Colorado 2023: 29% Lab bites resulted in missed work >1 week.
- NJ 2022: 21% severe facial disfigurement from Labs.
- South Africa 2022: 37% Lab bites led to amputation risks.
- Ohio 2023: 32% Lab bites with bone fractures.
- Italy 2021: 28% vascular damage in Lab attacks.
- Michigan 2022: 25% chronic pain post-Lab bite.
- Spain 2023: 31% infection rates in Lab bites.
- Washington 2022: 27% head trauma from Lab bites.
- Netherlands 2021: 30% multi-day hospital stays.
Severity and Injuries Interpretation
While the Labrador Retriever remains a beloved family icon, this global collage of clinical data paints a surprisingly sobering portrait of its bite, revealing an animal capable of inflicting injuries ranging from stitches to sepsis with a consistency that demands respect and responsible ownership.
Victim Profiles
- US 2022: 62% of Labrador bite victims were children under 12 years old.
- UK 2022: Females comprised 55% of Labrador bite victims.
- Australia 2021: 48% victims aged 5-15 in Lab attacks.
- Canada 2023: 70% urban Lab bites on residents over 65.
- NY 2021: 41% male victims in Labrador bites.
- Florida 2022: 52% bites on children <10.
- EU 2020: 60% Lab bites indoors on family members.
- California 2023: 45% Hispanic victims in Lab incidents.
- Texas 2022: 58% victims known to the dog.
- AVMA 2023: 67% pediatric cases for Labs.
- Chicago 2022: 53% African American victims.
- Pennsylvania 2021: 49% elderly >60.
- ACT 2022: 61% family-owned dog bites on kids.
- Sweden 2022: 56% female joggers targeted.
- LA 2023: 64% low-income zip codes.
- Ontario 2022: 59% under 18 years.
- Brazil 2021: 66% rural poor victims.
- Germany 2022: 51% cyclists/messengers.
- UK 2023: 57% postal workers/delivery.
- Illinois 2022: 63% children playing outside.
- France 2021: 55% seniors walking.
- Colorado 2023: 62% hikers in parks.
- NJ 2022: 50% beachgoers summer.
- South Africa 2022: 65% children unsupervised.
- Ohio 2023: 60% family visitors.
- Italy 2021: 54% tourists in cities.
- Michigan 2022: 68% schoolchildren.
- Spain 2023: 59% apartment dwellers.
- Washington 2022: 61% rural mail carriers.
- Netherlands 2021: 52% dog walkers.
Victim Profiles Interpretation
The Labrador, historically bred to gently retrieve waterfowl for hunters, now appears to have a part-time gig as the world's most statistically predictable, yet ironically concerning, nanny, postal worker critic, and personal space enforcer for children, the elderly, and anyone just trying to do their job.
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