History
In the early 1800s English nobles visiting Newfoundland, Canada noticed the dogs used by local fisherman to retrieve fish that had fallen out of the trawl as well as nets, lines and ropes from the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Their thick water repellant coat kept them insulated from the frigid temperatures while their webbed feet helped propel them through the water. These dogs were known as the St John’s waterdog and their drive to retrieve along with the physical properties of their coat and feet made them the ideal candidate for sporting dogs. The visiting English nobles noticed that and as such these dogs were brought back to England where they became known as the “Labrador dog”.
Two early importers of the Labrador dog were the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury and 5th Duke of Buccleuch, both avid shooters. It is through these two gentleman that the creation of the original Labrador Retriever lines in the United Kingdom occurred. Still to this day the Buccleuch kennel exists and produces top quality field trial Labradors.
The first Labrador dogs were not quite what we are used to seeing today. A quick search for “Nell the St John’s dog” will find you an 1867 photograph what very much looks like a modern day Labrador Retriever with white feet and a white nose. By the late 19th century British breeders had refined and standardized the Labrador and in 1903 The Kennel Club (England) recognised the Labrador Retriever as a breed.
Since then Labrador Retrievers have become one of the most popular dogs in the world and are instantly recognisable in both their looks and great temperament.
Breed Standard
The Labrador Retriever breed standard, defined by The Kennel Club (England), describes how a Labrador should look and behave.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
Strongly built, short-coupled, very active; broad in skull; broad and deep through chest and ribs; broad and strong over loins and hindquarters.
CHARACTERISTICS
Good-tempered, very agile (which precludes excessive body weight or excessive substance). Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion.
TEMPERAMENT
Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.
HEAD & SKULL
Skull broad with defined stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, powerful not snipy. Nose wide, nostrils well developed.
EYES
Medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper; brown or hazel.
EARS
Not large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back.
MOUTH
Jaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
NECK
Clean, strong, powerful, set into well placed shoulders.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders long and well laid back, with upper arm of near equal length, placing legs well under body. Forelegs well boned and straight from elbow to ground when viewed from either front or side.
BODY
Chest of good width and depth, with well sprung barrel ribs – this effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight. Level topline. Loins wide, short-coupled and strong.
HINDQUARTERS
Well developed, not sloping to tail; well turned stifle. Hocks well let down, cowhocks highly undesirable.
FEET
Round, compact; well arched toes and well developed pads.
TAIL
Distinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with short, thick, dense coat, thus giving ‘rounded’ appearance described as ‘Otter’ tail.
May be carried gaily but should not curl over back
GAIT & MOVEMENT
Free, covering adequate ground; straight and true in front and rear.
COAT
Distinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat.
COLOUR
The only correct colours are wholly black, yellow or liver/chocolate. Yellows range from light cream to red fox. Small white spot on chest and the rear of front pasterns permissible.
SIZE
Ideal height at withers: dogs: 56-57 cms (22-221/2 ins); bitches: 55-56 cms (211/2-22 ins).
FAULTS
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.