Monday, June 20, 2011

Labrador Retrievers - Choosing a Labrador Retriever

By Jade Davidson


Friendly, loving and very playful, the Labrador retriever has become one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Historically, this large "sporting" breed has been used to hunt and retrieve birds and only recently has the dog become known as a companion dog. The retriever is highly regarded for its good nature, easy trainability and intelligence.

History and Origin

The Labrador retriever hails from Newfoundland and not Labrador, as the name suggests, though both areas are located in eastern Canada. It is possible that geographic confusion led to the name.

Fisherman brought the breed to Britain during the early 19th century. Formerly, the dogs ranged from a heavy-coated selection known as the Large Newfoundland to a smaller rough-coated assortment referred to as the Lesser Newfoundland or St. John's Dogs. The modern-day Labrador retriever most likely originated in this St. John's Dog as well as presently known Newfoundland breed from the Large Newfoundland.

The breed had not been initially used as being a companion dog. Instead, retrievers were bred solely as hunters, a position for which they possessed outstanding skills. The Labrador retriever was formally recognized into the English Kennel Club in 1903 and the American Kennel Club in 1917.

As time passed, Labrador retrievers became important as guide canines for the sightless, hard of hearing and various disabled individuals because of their intelligence, trainability, well-rounded personality, as well as their potential to get along well with people. They can be competent as therapy dogs to help relieve people in nursing facilities and psychologically disturbed children. The military and police officers employ the particular breed of dog for scent-discrimination to trail bad guys, drugs, weapons, bombs, and to track down people hidden in debris of earthquakes or other accidents.

Appearance and Size

The Labrador retriever is often a sturdy, medium-sized dog which has a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables him to work as a rescuing gun dog and as a part of the household. The coat is short, dense and weather-resistant and also being black, yellow or chocolate. The breed carries with it an "otter" tail which is thicker at the base and gradually tapers.

The adult Labrador stands 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and weighs 55 to 80 pounds.




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