The Labrador is a Nice Big Dog With a Nice Big Heart
Labradors are dogs on the larger side of medium, but are as strong and solid as dogs of notably bigger size. Athletic and well balanced, Labradors are great hunting dogs; perfect for retrieving and tracking. They are also quite able to remain energetic and driven throughout the length of time – sometimes hours – that it can take in difficult conditions in order to hunt for prey. At the same time, their big hearts and gentle nature make Labradors fantastic family dogs.
Labradors look somewhat similar to their golden retriever cousins, but have shorter, denser, water-resistant coats, different coloring (yellow, chocolate, and black), and are much stronger and more solid. Furthermore, Labradors have a very distinct “otter tail”, with a sharply cut head shape with a good stop and a powerful jaw. The eyes of the Labrador are intelligent, bright, and kind, expressing a good temperament for an excellent companion.
Though the actual specific origin of the Labrador is unknown, though there are theories to how the breed began. It is generally thought that Labradors have ancestry in dogs that were brought to Newfoundland by settlers, explorers, and fishermen primarily from England, but also from other countries in Europe. No evidence of the dog’s prior existence in Newfoundland exists, but it is believed that once they arrived, they were bred to adapt to their new and rather demanding environment. From the original ancestors, two new breeds came about. There was the Newfoundland dog, and the Black Water Dog, which was similar, though smaller and had a shorter coat. Later, the St. John’s dog also developed. These were all water dogs, and were very capable hunting dogs. Each had its own form of thick double coat in order to survive the harsh climate extremes in the region.
By the early nineteenth century, members of the English nobility and a few avid sportsmen saw the Black Water Dog and St. John’s Dog and brought them back to England, maintaining the purity of the breeds as they were. However, when it became very challenging to obtain good quality pure breeding stock, these dogs were crossed with other similar sporting dogs. Soon, these Labradors were the choice sporting dog in all of Great Britain, and were also used as guide dogs for the blind, war dogs, and police dogs.
The UK Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1903, the Canadian Kennel Club recognized it in 1905, and it was finally recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917.
Though the average lifespan of Labradors is between ten and twelve years, they are prone to progressive retinal atrophy and other eye disorders, as well as hip and elbow dysplasias.
The dog is a gentle, kind, and outgoing one, and is an ideal pet and working dog. This explains its popularity, as it is appealing for so many functions.
