The Labrador is a medium-sized British dog breed of Canadian origin. Originally, the breed, which is one of the retrievers, was bred for hunting. Thanks to its loyal and friendly nature, however, the Labrador has developed over time into a popular family and companion dog around the world.
Key facts at a glance:
- FCI: Group 8, Section 1, Standard No. 122 (with working test)
- Life expectancy: 12 – 14 years
- Origin: Newfoundland (Canada)
- Size: Males 56-57 cm, females 54-56 cm
- Weight: 25-36kg
- Colours: black, chocolate brown, yellow
- Character: willing to work, patient, persevering, friendly, loyal, fond of children, gentle
Origin and History of the Labrador
Although the name of the breed would suggest it, the Labrador is not originally from the Labrador Peninsula but from Newfoundland. There it was mainly used for hunting and for hauling in lost nets from the sea by fishermen.
In the 19th century, the first specimens were brought to England, where the Labrador got its current name. When breeding, the main emphasis was placed on his hunting skills. The suffix Retriever refers to its excellent retrieval abilities, which make it an excellent hunting dog.
Since only a few hunting nobles were initially enthusiastic about the Labrador, the breed almost became extinct in the second half of the 19th century. Today, however, the Labrador, which is managed by the FCI in Group 8, Section 1 (retriever dogs), is one of the most popular dog breeds and regularly occupies one of the top places in Germany in terms of the number of newborn puppies.
Description of the Labrador
The life expectancy of the Labrador is around 12 to 14 years. The Labrador has a muscular build with a deep chest, strong neck and short loin.
Its head is characterized by a broad skull and a pronounced stop. It has a strong jaw with a scissor bite and strong teeth.
The Labrador’s ears are set close to its head and its medium-sized, dark eyes appear gentle and good-natured. Also typical of the breed is its tail, which tapers backwards and is covered with short, thick fur. The Labrador’s coat is dense, short and smooth. It also has a waterproof undercoat.
According to the breed standard, the Labrador Retriever can have the following colors:
- chocolate brown
- Black
- Yellow
Nature of the Labrador
Labradors are known to be extremely patient and gentle. They prove to be loyal companions to their owners and are generally calm and friendly when in contact with strangers.
Due to its child-loving nature and the practically non-existent tendency to aggression, the Labrador is also ideal as a family dog, which is not easily disturbed. At the same time, he is very willing to work and fulfills the tasks assigned to him with great perseverance. On the other hand, the Labrador does not make a reliable guardian for house and yard.
Despite all these positive character traits, it is essential for a harmonious coexistence that the intelligent animals are challenged and encouraged both mentally and physically.
Possible uses for the Labrador
The Labrador is still a hunting dog, notable for its outstanding retrieving skills. In addition, however, it is now used in very different areas.
For example, the Labrador is very well suited as a rescue or therapy dog and as a loyal and loving dog for families with children.
Especially when he is not used as a working dog, it is important to keep him busy. Dog sports such as agility and dummy training are suitable for this purpose. In addition, owners should make sure that they give their Labrador enough exercise with long walks.
Labrador diseases
Like most pedigree dogs, the Labrador is prone to some breed-specific diseases. Due to its size and weight, there is an increased risk of joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia. For this reason, it is common practice to use X-rays to check the condition of a Labrador’s joints prior to breeding approval.
In addition, Labradors are particularly susceptible to the following diseases, some of which are hereditary:
- Various eye diseases such as PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), HC (cataract) and RD (retinal dysplasia)
- Epilepsy is most common in male Labradors.
- Labrador myopathy is an inherited muscle disorder that occurs in the first year of life.
- A ureteral ectopy is a congenital malformation of the ureter, which occurs more frequently in bitches.
The Labrador wants to please its owner
Without a doubt, one of the characteristics of Labradors is their strong desire to please and satisfy their owners. This circumstance makes training a Labrador comparatively easy.
As long as the owner invests the necessary time and meets the animal’s needs in terms of physical and mental activity, the Labrador is also very suitable for beginners.