LABRADOR INFORMATION

The Labrador Retriever is also known as a Labrador or Lab. They are the most popular breed of dog in the USA and UK. Labrador Retrievers are one of the fastest learning breeds of dog and are used for Guide Dogs. Labradors life expectancy is 12 to 15 years.
 

Labrador Size

Height at the shoulder: 50-60 cm (20-24 in)
Weight: 26-32 kg (57-70 lb)
 

Labrador Colours

The Labrador Retrievers coat colours are black, yellow and chocolate. They sometimes have a small white spot on the chest.
Yellow Labradors may range in colour from fox-red to light cream.
Chocolate Labradors can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate.
 

Labrador Temperament

Labradors are friendly, intelligent, energetic and good natured, making them excellent companions and working dogs. Labradors are easily trained and are a very obedient breed. They have an easy going nature and as the name suggests, they are excellent retrievers. The Labrador's coat repels water, helping the dog remain warm when hunting waterfowl. Most Labradors enjoy retrieving a ball endlessly and other forms of activity. They are open-minded to new things, and thrive on human attention and interaction. Almost every Labrador loves playing in water or swimming. Many Labradors are experts at manipulating soft-hearted humans into giving them treats. The Labradors ability to learn quickly makes them an ideal breed for assistance dogs as well as search and rescue, detection, and therapy work.
The Labradors gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make them an ideal family dog.
 

Labrador History

The Labrador is believed to have originated on the island of Newfoundland, now part of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The breed was given the name Labrador Retriever to differentiate from the Newfoundland dog. The Labrador Retriever was originally called the lesser Newfoundland or the St. John's dog.
Labradors have historically been selectively bred for retrieving in water environments as gun dogs, acting as companions in duck hunting. Labradors have also been used by fishermen to bring nets in by swimming out, grabbing the floating corks on the ends of nets and pulling them back to shore.
The breed was firmly established by the 1820's. Many Noblemen owned or bred them by the end of the 19th century, American Kennel Club pedigrees exist back to 1878. The first Yellow Labrador on record was 'Ben of Hyde', born in 1899.

Labrador Pictures