Canterbury Labrador Retriever Club
Breed Profile
History of Labrador Retriever
The Labrador is a native of the St John's area of New Found land, Canada. It is not a native of Labrador as some believe; they are actually descendants of the St John's water dogs which were bred for hard work in cold water. This breeding perfectly designed for swimming and retrieving in water.
St John's water dogs nearly became extinct due to a high tax on animals that we being used for breeding. The breed was saved when the English gentry imported some water dogs in the 1820's. Once settled in England, some shooting sportsmen were quick to realize they would not only catch and retrieve fish, but would retrieve shot ducks from land which is still appreciated today.
Appearance and Colours
General appearance of a Labrador should be that of a solid built, short coupled dog. They are a solid colour of Black, Chocolate or Yellow. The Yellow may fade from dark yellow on the top of the back to a lighter shade. Yellow is defined as any colour from fox-red to light cream. Chocolate may range from beige to dark chocolate. Chocolates represent only a small number registered in New Zealand but are very trendy at present, fetching higher prices than other colours which results in them being bred for colour and not quality. Before paying a high price for a puppy, contact the Club for advice.
Characteristics and Temperament
The main characteristics of Labradors are the head, coat, tail and temperament. They have a double coat, a soft undercoat that keeps them dry and warm and a harder outer coat that helps them repel water.
The head of a Labrador is somewhat broad with an alert friendly expression.
They are loving, people-oriented dogs - happiest when they can be with their human companions, retrieving objects, swimming or eating. Generally they are patient but unless well trained can the too boisterous for toddlers. Labradors can keep up with most active of households, but they will also adapt to more sedentary lifestyles when trained and given a moderate amount of exercise.
Whilst they may bark to protect their space, they are not guard dogs.
Dogs grow to about 23 inches (56 cm) at the withers and weigh about 33-38kg. Bitches are about 2.5cm shorter and slightly lighter in weight.
It is important that he/she is well trained both for owner and dogs sanity. They are people oriented dogs, and can become bored if left to their own devices. They can become unmanageable if left untrained due to their size and enthusiasm for life. it is important to commence training while they are young.
Because of their stable temperament and intelligence, well bred Labradors work as dogs for the blind, assist deaf people, become drug sniffer dogs, and involved in search and rescue.
Care
The Labrador is an easy dog to care for. The occasional brush, bath or swim is all that is required.
Labradors can get chills in their tails if left wet in cold conditions. This is a painful and can be avoided by toweling a dog down after swimming or bathing.
Correct feeding of a Labrador puppy is vitally important to avoid joint problems such a hip dysplasia. Labradors can become overweight quickly, so the diet must be controlled in relation to their age and level of exercise. Labradors are naturally inquisitive and seek our food and company - in that order!
It is important that they are kept in a secure environment. You cannot rely on your Labrador sitting on the doorstep when you get home if there are no secure fences.. If given the opportunity Labradors will wander.
It is best to have a gun and kennel that the dog can be placed in when you are out, a bored, lonely Labrador is bound to find that treasured shrub or expensive dress on the clothesline. The kennel should be placed out of the wind, and in a warm, sunny location.
Labradors are:
Ideal as a family pet and easy to care for
Very loving and loyal
Versatile gun dog
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Labradors are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia as well as other problems. All breeding stock should be x-rayed and certified suitable for breeding. The lower the number or score the better. It should be remembered however that even a breeder who has parents of excellent hips and elbows can occasionally have a puppy that develops a problem. Diet and exercise can also influence how a puppy develops and these are beyond the control of the breeder.
Eye Problems
Labradors are also at risk from several eye problems including Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), cataracts and retinal dysplasia. All responsible breeders have their dogs checked annually by a recognized ophthalmologist and should be able to give buyers certification to this effect. PRA often does not appear until a dog is 7 years or more. This disease has been difficult to eradicate because of breeders being ignorant of the problems and because some dogs, although have clear certificates themselves, have produced the problem.
Ear Infections
Check regularly, particularly if your dog does at of swimming.
In general, the Labrador is a fit and healthy animal. The health problems described here are not specific to Labradors, but are presen5t in many medium to large sized dogs.
