Origin:
The Labrador Retriever originated from the
Canadian province of Newfoundland, along the East Coast of
Canada.
Labradors were invented, so to speak, in the
fifteenth century. They were originally used as fishing dogs by
the villagers of Newfoundland. Labs attained resistance to the
cold waters of the North Atlantic by developing two distinct
layers of hair - an inner layer of short fuzzy or "undercoat"
hair for insulation, and a longer, coarse guard hair for
shedding water. They also developed webbed paws for better
swimming.
Hunting Labs
By the 1800's Labs migrated to England and
then on to the United States. Here, fishing was not the required
task, but retrieving ducks and other water fowl was the desired
task. Hunters loved to show off their Labs, and worked with them
diligently to develop their retrieving skills. Selective
breeding kept this desire to retrieve along with a good nose in
the bloodlines. Hunters began to hold events where their Labs
were graded according to their performance against a set
standard. These were called Hunt Tests.
Field Trial Labs
Developing the perfect hunting Lab became such an obsession that
a group of hunters took this to the next level. They developed
standards where the Labs were graded according to their
performance against other Labs, instead of against a set of
written standards. This heightened the competition. As a result,
breeders placed more emphasis on energy and intelligence, and
usually less on looks. These Labs became long legged, hyper, and
smarter. Heads and tails became a bit narrower. They are
fantastic, but sometimes a bit too energetic for the family
situation. Today these Labs are usually referred to as an
"American" Lab.
Show Labs
Another group of individuals became interested in the looks of
the Lab over the field trials, and set forth to develop the
perfect looking dog. Tail and ear lengths, poundage, size,
heads, coats, and other physical aspects were considered more
desirable than Hunt or Field Trial requirements. Generally
speaking, these Labs developed stocky bodies, shorter legs, and
mammoth heads. They are paraded in Show events all over the
world, and sometimes end up at the Westminster or Krufts.
Intelligence and temperament can sometimes take a backseat to
looks, though this is not true for all Show Labs today.
Family Labs
In the 1980's, a new category was added - this was known as the
Family Lab. They were bred for health, temperament,
intelligence, looks, and the desire to retrieve, in that order.
This led to a less hyper, very intelligent Lab that was better
suited for the family situation. They did not have the monster
heads of the show labs, or the smaller field trial heads, but
developed proportional moderate block heads. Good temperament
meant the Labs were great with children. They had enough energy
to swim or play Frisbee, but were calm enough to crash at your
feet or sleep by the fireplace. These Labs lost the desire to
roam, and were much more comfortable at home.
Labrador
Stats:
Height:
Male Labrador Retrievers range from 22.5 inches to 24.5 inches.
Female Labrador Retrievers range from 21.5 inches to 23.5
inches.
Weight:
Male Labrador Retrievers range from 85 to 97 pounds. Female Labrador Retrievers range from
70 to 80 pounds. Labs are frequently allowed
to become overweight, significantly increasing health risks for
any canine.
Colors:
AKC accepted
Labrador Retriever colors are black, yellow or chocolate.
Yellow can range from almost white to what is
know as red fox (dark). In the early days, black Labs with a
white diamond on their chest were the most desired. (This has
been mostly bred out by the Show Lab breeders). Yellow Labs were
tolerated. Chocolates, however, were not. They were first
suspected as a genetic mistake. The accepted practice of the day
was to drown them, therefore removing them from the gene pool.
By the early 1970's, genetics had proven that chocolates were
just as pure as blacks or yellows. Chocolates suddenly became
one of the most desired dogs in the world. The problem was their
recessive genes had nearly been eradicated after 500 years of
persecution, leaving very few Labs capable of producing
chocolates. Breeders, in their haste to make good with this
sudden market demand, began breeding anything that was brown and
had four legs, calling them "Chocolate Labs". (The Chesapeake
Bay Retriever seemed to be the favored stand in.) AKC papers
were a dime a dozen, and only as good as the breeder's word.
This led to dilution of the chocolate Lab gene pool, leading to
the false impression that chocolates were dumb, hyper and
temperamental. A pure chocolate is as smart and well tempered as
the black or yellow Labradors.
Coat:
Labrador Retrievers have a short, straight and dense coat. Their
coat is easily cared for with once a week grooming. They do
shed, usually twice a year in normal climates so be sure to
brush your Labrador regularly during these "sheds" to keep this to a minimum.
Temperament:
The Labrador Retriever is a kind, outgoing dog. They are easy to
train, as they want to please. They are wonderful with children,
and other pets. When choosing your Labrador puppy, be sure to
check out the temperament of the parents. Although Lab’s tend to
have great temperaments for being around a family home and
children, pay special attention to how the puppy’s parents
behave. Behavior traits can be inherited and good behavior in
the parents can indicate the future temperament of your puppy.
Lab puppies are very moldable. We like to say that when you pick
up your puppy they are like a "lump" of clay, and you make them
into what your perfect dog would be. They crave human companionship and attention and need
to feel like they are "part of the family" to be truly happy.
Their loving nature and adoration of humans does not make them
good watchdogs, however. Their bark is worse then their bite.
Health Concerns:
The Labrador Retriever is susceptible to skin allergies,
epilepsy, eye diseases and joint problems. Be sure to ask for
CERF and/or optigen eye certification from the breeder. Labradors can be
prone to hip and elbow dysplasia which are potentially crippling
abnormalities of joint formation that can be inherited from the
dog’s parents or relatives. An x-ray examination of both parents
and as many ancestors as possible indicating that they are free
of this abnormality will help you avoid this condition in your
pet. The breeder should present you with OFA certification for
both hips and elbows.
Life Expectancy:
The expected life span of the Labrador Retriever is 10-12 years.
Living Environment:
Labrador Retrievers need frequent exercise to stay happy and
healthy. Ideally a country setting with a fenced yard works best for this high energy dog.
However an urban setting with owners willing to walk and
exercise them works just as well. Labrador Retrievers love the
water and enjoy both swimming and retrieving. You and a tennis
ball will be their best friends.
As they have a
need for space and exercise, they are not ideal apartment dogs.
To put your dog in a crate while going to work, or tethering one
to a chain is unthinkable. They require space to move around. A
lockable backyard kennel is ideal.
If you have
decided that a Labrador Retriever puppy may be the right dog
for your family, there are a few other things that you need to
consider. You need to be aware that your Lab puppy will grow and
will require proper exercise on a daily basis.
* Do you have the
space in your house to have this size dog, or a fenced
in yard so that your dog can go out safely for exercise and
playtime?
* Will you have enough
time to devote to grooming, loving, exercising, and also on the training
that may be required? (short term)
*Are you willing to spend the money the
keep your pet happy and healthy?
If the answer is YES,
then it may be time to start your reseach for your new Labrador
puppy. Good Luck .........
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