I take my lab swimming regularly and was wondering how long can he swim for without coming back. The reason I ask is that he sometines can't find the ball but will not come back without it and I worry that he might not make it back. Any info is appreciated.

Hi, aj,
Your dog should be trained to come back to you when you call him! They can get "overly tired".
Here is a link about training dogs to swim (I know yours already can), but scroll down about halfway to "tips for swimming".
It even suggests having a "doggie life jacket", if out in a boat far from shore.
http://www.triplecrowndogs.com/train...Tip=16&Topic=2

I would be concerned if he doesn't come back to when you call him. Best wishes.

Thanks for the link fredg. He comes back when I call him and I am careful not to throw the ball too far. We usually take him to a small lake as he gets really sick when swimming in the ocean with all the salt water. I am hoping he will be able to handle the slat water as he gets older. He is 11 months old.

Hi, aj,
You are quite welcome.
I'm glad he comes back when he is called.
I really don't have any experience with dogs in salt water; never took one of mine to the Gulf Of Mexico, when we lived near it.
I also lived in FL, and never took one to the ocean either.
Best of luck.