Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever (aka Labrador or just Lab) is one of the few retriever breeds, sometimes referred to as gun dogs. Labrador is the most popular dog breed by registered ownership in Scandinavia, UK and the US with well over twice as many Labradors registered as the next most popular breed. The Labrador is athletic and loves swimming and playing catch and retrieve. Labs are good with young children and are a great companion.
The Labrador traces its origin to Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada where it was known as St. John's Water Dog in the 16th century. St. John's Dogs were brought to England and became prized as sporting and hunting dogs. Named after the area known as "Labrador" the breed was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1903.
The Labrador traces its origin to Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada where it was known as St. John's Water Dog in the 16th century. St. John's Dogs were brought to England and became prized as sporting and hunting dogs. Named after the area known as "Labrador" the breed was recognised by The Kennel Club in 1903.
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.
Colors
Labradors are registered in three colors: solid black color (white spot on chest is permissible), yellow (ranging from white or light cream to fox-red), and chocolate (medium to dark brown). Pigmentation is visible at the nose, lips, gums, feet, tail and the rims of the eyes and may be black, brown or liver. Labs can carry genes for a different color, e.g. a black Labrador can carry recessive chocolate and yellow genes. Yellow Labradors have black noses that gradually turn pink with age as a result of of cold weather and reduced pigment production from two years onwards.
Temperament
Temperament is a hallmark of the breed. Labradors have a reputation for being even-tempered and excellent family dogs. They are energetic, fearless and fun-loving and therefore require firm handling from young age. A uncontrolled adult can be problematic. Females tend to be more independent than males and some males require constant companion. Labs have a significant degree of puppy-like energy until they mature at an age of three years. Leash-training early on is recommended to prevent the dog from pulling when full-grown. Labradors love retrieving endlessly and other forms of activity.
Their sense of smell allows them to hone in on a scent and follow the path of its origin. They tend to stay on the scent until found. Labradors love holding objects (even hands or arms) in their mouths with great gentleness. They have a soft feel to the mouth as a result of being bred to retrieve game. Labs can carry an egg in their mouth for an extended period without breaking it! Labs have a tendency to chewing objects but can be trained out of such behavior. They may bark occasionally at strange sounds or movements.
Labradors have a well-known reputation for their huge appetite and some Labs eat digestible and non-food objects alike. They are persuasive and persistent in requesting food so food intake must be carefully administered to avoid obesity and associated health problems.
Their sense of smell allows them to hone in on a scent and follow the path of its origin. They tend to stay on the scent until found. Labradors love holding objects (even hands or arms) in their mouths with great gentleness. They have a soft feel to the mouth as a result of being bred to retrieve game. Labs can carry an egg in their mouth for an extended period without breaking it! Labs have a tendency to chewing objects but can be trained out of such behavior. They may bark occasionally at strange sounds or movements.
Labradors have a well-known reputation for their huge appetite and some Labs eat digestible and non-food objects alike. They are persuasive and persistent in requesting food so food intake must be carefully administered to avoid obesity and associated health problems.
Labrador Health Issues
Labradors have a life expectancy of 10-12 years in general. It is a healthy breed with relatively few major problems. Notable issues related to Labrador health and well-being include:
Hip and Elbow Dyslapsia. Breeders are required to obtain hip and elbow scores for their dogs and breeding from dogs with low hip or elbow scores and are not breed from dogs with insufficient scores.
Eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) and Cataract. Breeders are required to DNA test for PRA while CNM tests are optional. Breeders must also have their dogs examined annually for Cataract.
Exercise Induced Collapse causes hyperthermia after short bouts of exercise. DNA testing is optional but becoming more common for breeders.
Obesity is a serious condition that is acquired rather than inherited. Obesity is considered the number one nutritional problem with Labradors. They should keep a slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set.
Hip and Elbow Dyslapsia. Breeders are required to obtain hip and elbow scores for their dogs and breeding from dogs with low hip or elbow scores and are not breed from dogs with insufficient scores.
Eye problems such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM) and Cataract. Breeders are required to DNA test for PRA while CNM tests are optional. Breeders must also have their dogs examined annually for Cataract.
Exercise Induced Collapse causes hyperthermia after short bouts of exercise. DNA testing is optional but becoming more common for breeders.
Obesity is a serious condition that is acquired rather than inherited. Obesity is considered the number one nutritional problem with Labradors. They should keep a slight hourglass waist and be fit and light, rather than fat or heavy-set.
Famous Labradors
As the most popular breed by registered ownership there have been many notable and famous labradors such as:
Brian Griffin from Family Guy is a white Labrador.
Buddy and Seamus former US President Bill Clinton‘s chocolate Labradors.
Koni Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s black Labrador bitch.
Andrex Puppy a yellow Lab pup that has been the symbol for Andrex toilet paper
Marley from Marley & Me the best-selling book and a subsequent film based on John Grogan's life and times with Marley.
Brian Griffin from Family Guy is a white Labrador.
Buddy and Seamus former US President Bill Clinton‘s chocolate Labradors.
Koni Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s black Labrador bitch.
Andrex Puppy a yellow Lab pup that has been the symbol for Andrex toilet paper
Marley from Marley & Me the best-selling book and a subsequent film based on John Grogan's life and times with Marley.
