Labrador

The exact origin and ancestry of the Labrador Retriever is uncertain but during the 1800s they were employed by boatsmen in Newfoundland to retrieve fish nets from the ice waters. They were introduced to Great Britain where they were employed as gundogs and retrievers. Due to a heavy dog tax, the breed died out in Newfoundland but was continued in Great Britain. They were first recognised the by the Kennel Club of Great Britain in 1903 and by the American Kennel Club in 1917.

The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog. Their best feature is their temperament. Labs are oving, people oriented dogs. They are happiest when they are with you. Labs are retrievers and will bring you things they find laying about your house or yard. They tend to be quite patient with children and wonderful family dogs. They are not guard dogs. They may bark protectively, but will generally not act more aggressively They tend to be stable, not easily upset by strange things or occurrences. They will take many things in stride.

The Labrador Retriever is known for its intelligence, warm affection for man, field dexterity and undying devotion to any task. They have a very gentle temperament. Besides being excellent gundogs, they are often used as guide dogs for the blind. drug sniffing for the police, and for search and rescue work.

References:

American Kennel Club Inc. The Complete Dog Book. 18th ed. New York: Howell, 1992.

http://www.i-love-dogs.com/

http://www.hoflin.com/