Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever breed is one of the most popular dog breeds. In fact, there are more Labrador Retrievers officially registered with breed registries than any other purebred in the US or UK. Known as loving and good dogs for children, these active dogs have even been put to work as service dogs for the disabled.

The Labrador Retriever's Behavior

Source: Wikipedia.

Recommended for: pet, working dog

The Labrador Retriever dog breed is a breed of versatile skills. They are widely used as both guide dogs for the blind and service dogs for those with a variety of disabilities. As a retriever breed, Labrador Retrievers love to hold things in their mouths, though if not trained, they also love to chew things. Though they enjoy and require some physical active, they are generally considered a fairly laid-back breed.

Remember that breed only provides a general clue as to any individual dog's actual behavior. Make sure to get to know dogs well before bringing them into your home.

The Labrador Retriever's Physical Characteristics

Here are some of the characteristics of the Labrador Retriever breed as determined by the American Kennel Club's published breed standard.

* Size: males: 22½ to 24½, 65-80 pounds; females: 21½ to 23½, 55-70 pounds
* Coat: short, straight, very dense
* Color: black, yellow, or chocolate
* Eyes: medium-sized, set well apart
* Ears: V-shaped and slightly rounded at tips
* Nose: wide with well-developed nostrils
* Tail: very thick at the base and gradually tapering, medium-long

The Labrador Retriever's Origins and History

Source: Wikipedia.

Country/Region of Origin: Hungary

Original purpose: hunting

Name: thought to have originated on NewFoundland, but since there is already a NewFoundland dog, the breed was named Labrador; often simply called "Lab" for short; also originally called St. John's Dog.

Historical notes: Today, Labradors are the most populous of the registered breeds in the US and the UK. Sadly, popularity of this breed means that there are thriving puppy mills and pet shops that sell these dogs for profit, typically with little regard for their well-being. Also due to their popularity, Labradors are more frequent targets of kidnapping. Microchip tagging for any Labrador dog is therefore recommended.