Do Labs Have Hair or Fur?

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, do Labs have hair or fur? And when it comes to my dog, what does he have? For some people, this question is based on pure curiosity. But for others, it is a question that is directly linked to allergies. Whatever the reason for your need to know if Labrador Retrievers have fur or hair, you need the answer- and now.

So, do Labs have hair or fur? Labs have fur. While the makeup of hair and fur is exactly the same- keratin- they appear and feel different. The texture and amount, as well as the amount of shedding, is what sets apart fur and hair. That being said, the short-coated Labrador who sheds heavily is noted to have fur instead of hair.

There is actually a lot that goes into fur and hair. It’s a lot more than just looking at a dog and thinking you like their appearance based on their coat. So what’s the deal when it comes to hair and fur, and what should you expect from your fun-loving Lab?

The Difference Between Hair and Fur

A lot of people might think that hair and fur are actually two different things, but they have the exact same genetic makeup. They are both formed using keratin, which scientifically speaking would make them one and the same. However, while hair and fur are scientifically interchangeable, they have different textures, lengths, and amount of shedding associated with them.

1. The Texture

A lot of people will call refer to a human as having hair, while a dog will have fur. This is mostly due to the fact that humans tend to have silkier, smoother manes that are generally longer, while a dog is known for having a fur coat that is made to keep him warm and temperate over his entire body.

But did you know that hair and fur have different textures, and they both can be found on dogs? Take for instance your Labrador. If you run your hand along his mane, you will notice that it is very coarse. The fur is a lot coarser than hair and is used for insulation.

Hair, on the other hand, tends to have a silkier feel. It mimics what you would find on a human being. This doesn’t mean that it’s sticking straight, though. Just like human hair, a dog can have hair that is curly or frizzy- but it’s still technically hair, and not fur, even though you are talking about a dog.

That being said, you can tell whether your dog has hair or fur by touching his coat with your hand. Remember that hair is always going to be less dense and smooth, while a fur coat will be coarse, which is necessary for proper insulation.

2. Length of Hair

You can also tell the difference between hair and fur simply by looking at it. To put it simply, a dog with hair is going to have longer strands of hair than his furry counterpart. Again, these strands can be any type of style such as curly or straight, but the fact of the matter is they will be long pieces of hair.

Again, this makes it easy to spot whether or not your Labrador has hair or fur. Since the Labrador is known for having a short, dense coat, it’s clear that he is sporting a coat made of fur. 

3. Amount of Shedding

Perhaps the biggest difference between hair and fur is the amount of shedding. Any Labrador owner will tell you that Labs are incessant shedders, and you should absolutely consider a different breed if you are not interested in spending hours in front of your vacuum.

Fur coats tend to shed a lot more than coats made with hair. This is simply due to the fact that fur coats need to bulk up during the winter months. They also need to shed off the extra fur in preparation for the scorching hot summer weather, which means about 3 weeks of intense shedding for the Lab and their owner.

4. The Double Coat

One clue that your dog may also be sporting a fur coat is that he has a double coat. Almost every dog that has fur will have a double coat. This makes things a tad bit more confusing for someone trying to decide whether or not their dog has fur or hair. The fact of the matter is, though, that a double coat is a main feature of a fur-coated breed.

Fur, Hair, and Allergy Concerns

A lot of people are under the impression that one dog is better than the other, depending on their coat. And while this is somewhat true, it isn’t as black-and-white as you may think. In fact, allergies don’t have anything to do with the hair or fur themselves- it’s actually the dander and other compounds found in the skin.

So how did fur and hair get associated with allergies? Well, the thing to remember is that both hair and fur will produce allergens- there is no way to escape it. The major difference is how the type of coat traps the allergens and how much the dog sheds.

Consider a curly-haired dog. They are known as being a hypoallergenic option, but this is simply due to the fact that their curly hair will trap dander and other allergy-driven compounds and keep them close to the dog and away from the environment. They also shed less, which means less worry about allergy compounds being dropped around the home.

As far as fur is concerned, these coats shed everywhere and all the time. This means that there is less trapping going on, and a whole lot more sharing with the family. This means trouble for those who suffer from allergies, so they should opt to stay away from fur-coated breeds.

Does a Lab Have Hair or Fur?

The answer is clear: Labradors have fur, not hair.

And while these two are interchangeable and made from the same genetic makeup, the standout comes with the texture, length, and amount of shedding.

Your Lab has a fur coat because:

• His coat is coarse to the touch for proper insulation.
• His fur is short to it’s easier to shed.
• His fur coat sheds a lot, especially during the start of spring and fall.
• He has a double coat, which is a trademark of any fur-lined canine.

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