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

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 2^nd Earl of Malmesbury who bred them for their water fowling expertise.

With the help of 3^rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6^th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12^th 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.