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 TO  HUNT WATERFOWL AND GAME FOR LONG HOURS UNDER DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. 

     THE LABRADOR IS A VERSITILE DOG THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE AN OUTSTANDING FAMILY PET MAKING IT THE MOST POPULAR DOG IN THE UNITED STATES. LABRADORS MAKE  WONDERFUL AGILITY DOGS, OBEDIENCE DOGS, POLICE DOGS AND ARE COMMONLY TRAINED USED TO ASSIST THE BLIND AND HANDICAPPED.

    THE LABRADOR BREED ACTUALLY HAILS FROM THE ISLAND OF ST. JOHN’S (CANADA) AND WAS FIRST IMPORTED TO ENGLAND IN THE EARLY 1800’S.  THE EARL OF MALMESBURY AND HIS SON THE THIRD EARL IMPORTED AND BRED THE DOGS.

THEY DESCRIBED THEM THUSLY:  “The real breed may be known by having a close coat which turns the water off like oil, above all a tail like an otter.”

    LABRADORS MAY BE REGISTERED WITH THE AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB IN THREE COLORS; YELLOW (COLORING FROM A VERY LIGHT TO A VERY DEEP RED/GOLD), BLACK (THE ORIGINAL COLOR OF THE St. John’s dog)  AND CHOCOLATE ( A RECESSIVE DARK  COLOR).

   THE MOST DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER ARE ITS SHORT, DENSE, WEATHER RESISTANT COAT, AN ‘OTTER’ TAIL; A CLEAN–CUT HEAD WITH BROAD BACK SKULL AND MODERATE  STOP; POWERFUL JAWS; AND ITS  “KIND” FRIENDLY EYES, EXPRESSING CHARACTER, INTELLIGENCE AND GOOD TEMPERAMENT.