The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in America. Labs /Labradors (nicknames) are good and friendly companion dogs that have much love and excitement to share with a family. If you are looking for a medium-to-large dog, then Labrador is the kind of dog you need.
The Labrador Retriever is truly a jack of all trades and a master of many.
– Nancy Martin




ABOUT THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER
The Labrador retriever can stand 21.5 to 24.5 inches in height, and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds, depending on the sex. The Labs have a dense, hard coat that comes in either yellow, black, and chocolate.
It sports a wide head with sharp eyes that depict their kindness. The Labradors also feature a broad “otter tail” which gives the impression of the breed’s natural joviality. Labradors are widely known for their friendliness towards other dogs and humans.
Labs are an easygoing dog breed that requires lots of exercise and frequent movement to stay fit and healthy. Some of the activities that Labs will enjoy include: swimming, running games, and games of fetch.
The Labrador are a good therapy dogs and are often used for those families with blind children or a person with disability.
The Labs are valued as hunting and sporting dogs. The parent stock for this breed was used in Newfoundland to help to retrieve nets during fishing, hence the name ’fishing dog’.


Labrador Retriever
Labrador
Lab, Labs (nicknames)
Sporting
United Kingdom (UK)
Canada
St. John’s Water Dog
Male 56 – 57 cm (22 – 22.5 in)
Female 54 – 56 cm (21.5 – 22 in)
Male 29 – 36 kg (65 – 80lb)
Female 25 – 32 kg (55 – 70lb)
Dense, Short, Straight, Weather-proof double coat
5 – 10 Puppies
Yellow labs (ranges from pale yellow to fox red), Black Labs, Chocolate Labs, Silver Labs
Sporting Group (AKC:1917)
Gun Dog (UKC)
The Kennel Club (UK)
American Kennel Club (AKC)
Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI)
2020 – No.1 out of 196
2019 – No. 1
2018 – No.1
2017 – No.1
2016 – No.1
About $1300 - $2300 US Dollars
Origin and Lineage of the Labradors
The history of the Labs dates back to 1830 when the St. John Water dogs was brought in by settlers in Newfoundland from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. This is when the Labrador was first introduced to Britain.
The mixture of fox and Great Dane breeds created the Labradors. Early patrons of the orchestra included Earl of Malmesbury, Duke of Buccleuch, Earl of Home, and Sir John Scott. It is ironic that in the beginning the authors have referred to the small and large Newfoundland as Labradors.
Colonel Peter Hawker described the first Labs as being not larger than the English Pointer. Mostly black than other colors, have a long head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, short and smooth coat, and did not lift its tail high like the Newfoundland.
The first yellow Labrador was born in 1903. It was officially recognized by the Kennel Club around the same time. The first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration occurred in 1917. The Chocolate Labs (Liver Labradors) appeared in the late 1800s with liver-colored puppies documented at the Buccleuch Kennels in 1892.
A black Lab, called “Blind of Arden” Was the first dog to appear on the cover of Life Magazine in December 12, 1938.
Here is a summary of the ” Who, What, When and Where” in Labrador Retriever History
Early 1800’s – First St. John’s dogs arrived in England, some imported by the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury to Heron (Hurn) Court, near Poole
1814 – First written reference to the Labrador in ” Instructions to Young Sportsmen…” by Colonel Peter Hawker who observed them on Newfoundland
1823 – Sporting artist Edward Landseer painted a black dog with white markings-entitled ” Cora. A Labrador Bitch.”
1835 – 5th Duke of Buccleuch started kennel of St. John’s dogs in Scotland
1839 – 5th Duke of Buccleuch wrote a letter referring to his ” Labrador” Moss as well as the ” Labrador” Drake belonging to the 10th Lord Home
1870 – the name Labrador Retriever becomes common in England
1882 – 3rd Earl of Malmesbury gave 6 of his Labs to the 6th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home so that the closely held breeding stock would be preserved
1885 – Inauguration of the Newfoundland Sheep Protection Act, which imposed a duty on all dogs, along with the Quarantine Act in England and the decreasing fishing trade led to the dwindling supply of imported dogs from Newfoundland to England
1887 – Letter from the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury to 6th Duke of Buccleuch refers to the breed… ” We always call mine Labrador dogs and I have kept the breed as pure as I could from the first I had from Poole….known by their having a close coat which turns the water off like oil and, above all, a tail like an otter.”
1892 – Two ” liver” colored Labrador pups born at Buccleuch’s kennel
1899 – First yellow Lab on record, Ben of Hyde born at kennel of Major C.J. Radclyffe
1903 – Labradors recognized by the Kennel Club in England
Early 20th Century – Scottish style shooting and the prestige of bringing over a Scottish gamekeeper led to the importing of Labs to America
1916 – Labrador Club formed in England instrumental in this were Lord Knutsford (Munden Kennel line) and Lady Lorna, Countess Howe (Banchory Labradors)
1917 – First Labs registered in the American Kennel Club
1931 – The Labrador Retriever Club incorporated in the U.S. and the first American field trial for Labs held at the Glenmere Court Estate in Chester, NY
1930’s – Field trial clubs spread throughout the U.S.
1933 – First American specialty for Labs held in NYC and judged by Mrs. Marshall Field
Late 1930’s – Chocolates became known in 2 British kennels, Tibshelfs and Cookridge
1938 – First dog to appear on the cover of Life Magazine-” Blind of Arden” , a black Lab belonging to W. Averell Harriman. At 4 years of age he won the top US Retriever stake that year.
1941 – National Retriever Club established in the U.S.
Late 1940’s and 1950’s – Social and economic changes that developed after World War II led to the growing popularity of the Lab with Americans from all walks of life
1959 – First dog ever to appear on a U.S. stamp, the famous black Lab, ” King Buck”
1991 – Labradors leap into first place in AKC registrations
A Lab by any other name would be as sweet…
Some of the many names used over the centuries to refer to the Lab and its ancestors:
- John’s Dog
- Lesser St. John’s Dog
- Newfoundland Dog
- Lesser Newfoundland Dog
- Little Newfoundlanders
- Newfoundland Water Dog
- Labrador Dogs
- John’s Labrador Dogs
- Black Water Dog
- Lesser Labrador
- Smaller Labrador
- English Retriever
- English Labrador
History of the Labrador Retrievers
Over 190 years ago, Lord Home and his nephew, Lord John Scott, imported to Europe parents’ stock of the breed from Newfoundland for use as hunting dogs. Another advocate of these Newfoundland dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury who bred them for their water fowling expertise.
With the help of 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home, the modern Labrador breed was developed. Both Avon and Ned Buccleuch were imported by the fifth duke and the tenth Earl of Home.
Labradors are considered to be an ideal choice of dog because of its ability of swimming.
CHARACTERISTICS
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APPEARANCE
Here is are the characteristicst of the labrador retriever.
TEMPERAMENT
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HEALTH
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GALLERY
References
Here is the list of books and journals that we used as reference.
- George, C., & George, L. (2010). Labrador retriever. Scholastic/Children’s Press.
- Walker, J. (2009). Labrador retriever. Barron’s Educational Series.
- Curzon, L., & Waring, G. (1985). The labrador retriever. Popular Dogs.
- Labrador L, Labrador L. Hands 2 Paws – a canine artist story. STEAM. 2016;2(2):1-2. doi:10.5642/steam.20160202.30
External Links
- Labrador Retriever. En.wikipedia.org. (2020). Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information. American Kennel Club. (2020). Retrieved 26 December 2020.
- Breeds, D. (2020). Labrador Retriever. Petfinder. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
- Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts – Dogtime. DogTime. (2020). Retrieved 27 December 2020.