Appearance
Two different lines of labradors are bred, the Show ("English") and the Field ("American") despite the fact that both lines are bred in both countries. English Labradors are heavier built, shorter-bodied and have a thicker coat and tail in general while American Labradors are lighter, longer legged and more lithe in build in general. English Labradors tend to have broader heads, better defined stops and more powerful necks, while American Labradors have lighter and slightly narrower heads with longer muzzles. In general American Labradors are more high-strung and higher energy while the English breeds are calmer in energy and thus better suited as family pets. These two lines are informal and not codified or standardised.
The Lab has an interwoven coat that is relatively waterproof and provides assistance for swimming. They tend to shed hair twice a year. The hair is fairly short and straight and the tail broad and strong and resembles the tail of an otter. Weebed toes make the Lab an excellent swimmer.
Size: Labs are a relatively large breed. They should be as long from the wither to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. Males should stand 56 to 57 cm tall at the withers and weigh 29 to 36 kg. Females should stand 54 to 56 cm and weigh 25 to 32 kg.
Coat: The coat should be short and dense. The coat is water-repellent so that the dog does not get cold when taking to water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat.
Head: The head should be broad with a pronounced stop and slightly pronounced brow. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and are set slightly above the eyes.
The body should be strong and muscular with a level top line. The tail and coat are designated distinctive features of the Labrador and temperament is a hallmark of the breed.
The Lab has an interwoven coat that is relatively waterproof and provides assistance for swimming. They tend to shed hair twice a year. The hair is fairly short and straight and the tail broad and strong and resembles the tail of an otter. Weebed toes make the Lab an excellent swimmer.
Size: Labs are a relatively large breed. They should be as long from the wither to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. Males should stand 56 to 57 cm tall at the withers and weigh 29 to 36 kg. Females should stand 54 to 56 cm and weigh 25 to 32 kg.
Coat: The coat should be short and dense. The coat is water-repellent so that the dog does not get cold when taking to water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat.
Head: The head should be broad with a pronounced stop and slightly pronounced brow. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and are set slightly above the eyes.
The body should be strong and muscular with a level top line. The tail and coat are designated distinctive features of the Labrador and temperament is a hallmark of the breed.