History
The Labrador Retriever is the traditional water dog of Newfoundland, long employed as a duck retriever and fisherman's mate. The breed began its steady climb to popularity in the early 1800s, when Labs were spotted by English nobles visiting Canada. These sporting earls and lords returned to England with fine specimens of 'Labrador dogs.'
In the 1830s, the 10th Earl of Home and his nephews, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Lord John Scott, imported samples of the breed from Newfoundland for use as gun dogs. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury, who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling.
During the 1880s, the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch, and the 12th Earl of Home collaborated to develop and establish the Labrador Retriever breed. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors.
During the latter half of the 19th century, British breeders refined and standardized the breed. The physical and temperamental breed traits, so familiar today to millions of devotees around the world, recall the Lab's original purpose.
A short, dense, weather-resistant coat was preferred because, during a Canadian winter, longhaired retrievers would be encrusted with ice when coming out of the water. In its ancestral homeland, a Labrador would be assigned to a fishing boat to retrieve the fish that came off the trawl.
Accordingly, in addition to having natural instincts as a retriever, the dog required a coat suited to the icy waters of the North Atlantic. The Lab's thick, tapering tail - called an "otter tail" - serves as a powerful rudder, constantly moving back and forth as the dog swims and aids the dog in turning.
As for the breed's characteristic temperament, it is as much a hallmark of the breed as the otter tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal.
When defining a Lab's primary attributes, the most important might be temperament since his utility depends on his disposition.
By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever had become common in England. The chocolate Labrador emerged in the late 1800s, with chocolate-colored pups documented at the Buccleuch kennels in 1892. The first yellow Labrador on record, Ben of Hyde, was born in 1899. The breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club in 1903. The first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration was in 1917.
About
The sweet-faced, lovable Labrador Retriever is one of America's most popular dog breeds. Labs are friendly, outgoing, and high-spirited companions who have more than enough affection to go around for a family looking for a medium-to-large dog.
The sturdy, well-balanced Labrador Retriever can, depending on the sex, stand from 21-1/2 to 24-1/2 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds. The British standard calls for a slightly smaller dog with males being 22 to 22-1/2 inches and females 21-1/2 to 22 inches.
Lab's have yellow, black, or chocolate coats. The silver, champagne, and charcoal colors are a sign they are not purebred Labradors.
The head is broad with kind eyes. A distinguishing feature of the breed is the thick, tapering 'otter tail'.
Labs are famously friendly. They are companionable housemates who bond with the whole family, and they socialize well with neighbor dogs and humans alike. But don't mistake his easygoing personality for low energy: The Lab is an enthusiastic athlete that requires lots of exercise, like swimming and marathon games of fetch, to keep physically and mentally fit.
Health
Labs are healthy dogs overall, and a responsible breeder screens breeding stock for conditions such as elbow and hip dysplasia, heart disorders, hereditary weakness, and eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy.
If a Lab has two copies of the gene causing exercise induced collapse (EIC) the dog can collapse. Two copies of the gene causing progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) will lead to blindness. A DNA test allows breeders to identify carriers and plan breedings to avoid producing these conditions.
Like other large, deep-chested dogs, Labs can develop a life-threatening stomach condition called bloat. Owners should educate themselves about the symptoms that indicate this is occurring, and what to do if so.
Exercise
The Labrador Retriever is an exuberant, energetic breed that needs lots of exercise every day. A Lab who doesn't get enough exercise is likely to engage in hyperactive and/or destructive behavior to release pent-up energy.
Favorite activities are retrieving and swimming. Labs also love to burn up energy on hunting trips or at field trials, as well as by participating in canine sports such as agility, obedience, tracking, and dock diving.
Many Labs also work hard in important roles such as search-and-rescue, drug and bomb detection, and as service and assistance dogs.
Training
With the Lab's physical strength and high energy level, early socialization and puppy training classes are vital.
Gently exposing the puppy to a wide variety of people, places, and situations between the ages of 8 weeks and 4 months and beginning obedience training early on will help him develop into a well-adjusted, well-mannered adult.
Puppy training classes serve as part of the socialization process and help the owner learn to recognize and correct any bad habits that may be developing. Labs are devoted, intelligent, and enthusiastic companions who need to be included in family activities.
Feeding
The Labrador Retriever should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval.
Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's food consumption and weight level.
Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity.
Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.
FAQs
- The Lab didn't come from Labrador, but rather from Newfoundland.
- Life Expectancy is 10-12 years, but varies with some dogs living well into their teens and others only living to 9 or 10.
- One of the favored breeds to use as guide and rescue dogs.
- In England, no Labrador can become a show champion until it has also earned a working certificate.
- The original Labrador gradually died out in Newfoundland because of a large tax on dogs and the quarantine law in England that nearly stopped the importation into England.
- A Labrador's coat is water resistant.
- The yellow coat can vary in color from nearly white with pale tan shading on the ears to a dark orange-red.
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