Appearance

The Labrador Retriever is a robust and handsome looking dog. The sturdy body is muscular with a level top-line, long front legs and a long tail. The broad head has well spaced dark eyes, triangular ears that hang close to the head, and a wide nose. The water-resistant double coat is short and sleek, and the coloring tends to be black, yellow or chocolate.

History

Labrador Retrievers originate from Newfoundland in Canada, where they were used for hauling fishing nets to shore by jumping overboard into cold waters, as well as stray fish and water birds. At the time two breeds emerged from the St. John’s Water Dog: the Greater Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland. Fishermen marveled that these smaller Newfoundlands kept their can-do attitude even after long days retrieving nets from the sea, playing happily with children back when returning to shore. Eventually the breed made its way to England, and by 1903 and 1917, the English Kennel Club and 1917 by the American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed, respectively. This very versatile breed has a range of talents including retrieving, hunting and tracking, they make good watchdogs, and they are also used by the police for detecting illegal drugs and as guide dogs for the blind. In addition to that, they make fine family pets.