Labrador Retriever Dog Breed

History

The Labrador Retriever originates from the coastal regions of Newfoundland, Canada. They are believed to have been produced in the 1500s by crossing St. John's Water Dogs with other smaller breeds of water dog and possibly Mastiffs. The St. John's Waterdog is also an ancestor of the Newfoundland, which is closely related to the Labrador despite the size difference. Labrador Retrievers during this time were used by fishermen to haul nets and retrieve fish that had escaped the nets. They were the perfect dogs for the job because of their water-repellant coats and webbed feet which made them excellent swimmers. They even dived into icy water to retrieve the hats of fishermen!

Labrador Retrievers were first introduced into the UK by the Earl of Malmesbury and Colonel Peter Hawker in the early 1800s. These two men developed a keen interest in the dog breed and arranged for a selection of dogs to be brought to the United Kingdom. In fact, Hawker described the dog breed as:

“The best for any kind of shooting... generally black and no bigger than a Pointer, very fine in legs, with short smooth hair... is extremely quick running, swimming, and fighting.”

The Earl and Duke of Malmesbury began using these dogs in shooting sports, where they were known as “Labrador Dogs”. They also began breeding them. Word quickly spread about this impressive dog breed amongst hunters and farmers in the US and by the 1900s they had become incredibly popular.

Numerous Chocolate Labradors are believed to be the offspring of a Labrador Retriever called Buccleuch Avon. This dog was given as a gift to the Duke of Buccleuch in Scotland in 1890 by the Duke of Malmesbury. Another dog named Malmesbury Tramp, owned by Countess Howe, is among the primary descendants of the modern Labrador Retrievers we see today.

Unfortunately, this dog breed’s numbers fell in Newfoundland, but thanks to the efforts of the first and second Earls of Malmesbury, the breed continued to develop in the United Kingdom.

Today, the Labrador Retriever is one of the topmost popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom. They are consistent, dependable, and highly loyal, making them the ideal family pet and working companion.

Appearance

This medium to large size dog is strongly built, with a deep and broad chest. They also have compact and robust webbed feet that make them great swimmers. Their coats are dense, thick, and exceptionally water-resistant, which is ideal for the environment these dogs were bred to work in. In fact, the Earl of Malmsbury noted that their coats “turn the water off like oil”.

Their tails are often referred to as being otter-like because of their rounded appearance and because of the way these dogs use them to propel themselves through the water. This is a defining characteristic of the breed. Their coat is short and has no feathering.

Labrador Retrievers are black, solid yellow, or chocolate. The yellow colour variety varies from light cream to red ‘fox’ colour. A small white spot in the chest area or on the rear hocks is acceptable under the breed standard. However, no other coat colours are permissible.

Their medium-sized eyes are generally brown or hazel. Labs’ pendant-shaped ears are not too heavy or large, and they hang neatly and close to the head. The colour of their noses may vary depending on the colour of the coat. Yellow dogs usually have a black nose, and chocolate ones have a lighter brown nose.

Their broad muzzles hold a set of strong teeth with a bite of scissor-like precision. This enables a ‘soft mouth’ capable of holding the game firmly yet gently without causing any damage.

Personality

Labrador Retrievers are well-known for their laidback yet playful, high-spirited, and intelligent characters. They rarely ever display any signs of aggression, which is why they are often used as assistance and working dogs. They bloom in a home environment where they can have plenty of attention, mental stimulation, and exercise. However, they should be trained to understand their place in the pack, so they know who to look to for leadership.

While Labrador Retrievers may need quite a bit of care and attention, they are still one of the best options for novice dog owners because of their loving and trustworthy characteristics. This dog breed also loves playing interactive games. These keep them mentally stimulated and lessen the risks of any boredom-related behaviours from developing.

Lighter weight Labrador Retrievers do very well at canine sporting activities like Flyball and agility. One of the beautiful things about Labrador Retrievers is that they just love to delight their owners and will do their very best to get things right.

Labrador Retrievers are mostly excellent around strangers and people they don't know. They have very adaptable characters and will settle quickly once they have been exposed correctly to new environments. However, you need to make sure that you are providing plenty of daily exercises, mental stimulation, and attention to a Labrador Retriever. They should never be left cooped up for great lengths of time. This could cause boredom, anxiety, and stress which can lead to destructive behaviours. For this reason, these dogs are best suited to homes where someone is around for most of the day.

Trainability

Labrador Retrievers are smart and highly energetic. So, they require at least two hours of exercise daily, alongside mental stimulation in the form of games and training. You can also try adding swimming into their usual walks to satisfy their natural instincts.

Labrador Retrievers are highly social by nature. So, letting your dog run and play around with other dogs in a safe and secure environment will give them a great workout and mental stimulation. Remember that Labrador puppy training is essential, and recall training is vital to guarantee your dog remains safe while off the leash.

Coat & Care

While their fur is sleek, short, and generally easy to take care of, Labrador Retrievers can be prone to shedding. A weekly groom with a comb or bristle brush and bathing when required can help. However, you may want to brush more often during the intense shedding months.

Regularly brushing your Labrador Retriever is also an excellent opportunity for you to carefully examine their body for parasites, skin lumps, or any other signs of infection such as swelling, sores, and rashes. At the same time, it’s worth checking their eyes for any redness or discharge and their ears for black or brown wax and a strange smell.

Trim their nails as needed, usually every couple of months. It’s best to train them early, or you can let a professional groomer do it if it becomes too much of a challenge.

For their dental health, make sure to brush their teeth at least two times a week to remove tartar buildup. Daily brushing is still the best way to prevent tooth and gum diseases and bad breath.

Health

Labrador Retrievers can live for 10-13 years when correctly cared for and provided with an excellent, high-quality diet that matches their needs. However, they are prone to developing a few health issues. This is why it’s essential that you only purchase a Labrador Retriever puppy from a trusted and reputable licensed breeder as they will be able to check the puppy (and parents) for any underlying health conditions.

Most Labrador Retrievers are well-known for their hearty appetites and will overindulge if an owner permits them to. This can cause a dog to become overweight or obese very quickly, which can impact their overall health and shorten their lifespan significantly. Moreover, obesity can lead to joint issues due to the additional weight they carry, as well as heart problems.

Here are some of the other more common conditions seen in Labrador Retrievers:

Hip Dysplasia – This is an irregular formation of the hip socket which can lead to pain and lameness.
Elbow Dysplasia – A genetic condition common to large dog breeds caused by the abnormal development of the joints.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD) – An orthopaedic condition caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints. It typically occurs in the elbows, but it can also develop in the shoulders.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – A family of eye diseases involving the eye retina's slow deterioration. Affected Labrador Retriever dogs become night-blind early in the condition.
Epilepsy – A neurological health condition that’s frequently, but not exclusively, genetic. Epilepsy can cause mild or severe seizures that may impact quality of life. It can usually be managed with medication prescribed by a vet.
Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (TVD) – An inherited heart defect that can lead to the malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart.
Myopathy – A health condition that affects the muscles and nervous system. Symptoms often show before the dog is seven months old which can include lethargy and stiff limbs. However, it can also occur later in life due to nutritional imbalances, cancer, or toxicity.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus – Also called Torsion or Bloat. This condition occurs when the stomach is bloated with air or gas and then twists.
Acute Moist Dermatitis – A skin condition where the skin is red and inflamed, which is caused by a bacterial infection. Available treatments include bathing in medicated shampoo, clipping the hair, and antibiotics.
Cold Tail – A benign but painful health condition common to Labrador Retrievers which can cause the tail to go limp. It’s usually caused by an injury.
Ear Infections - Because of this breed’s fascination with water, coupled with their drooping ears, Labrador Retrievers are prone to ear infections. Checking and cleaning their ears weekly is necessary to help prevent infection.

Children & Other Pets

Labrador Retrievers not only love kids, but they also love the commotion that comes with them. They will happily attend any child's birthday party and revel in the enjoyment of games, loud noises, and affection. However, like many dog breeds, they need to be trained on how to act around kids. That's why early and proper socialization is essential.

Labrador Retrievers are also known to be good around other pets as long as they have been appropriately trained, socialized, and introduced properly, including, cats, other dogs, and smaller pets.