WHAT KIND OF DOG IS A LAB?
The Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Good-looking, smart, and fun-loving, the Lab has a lot going for him. He’s large, but not too large; he’s calming and easygoing when he’s not exuberantly fetching a tennis ball or a bird. He’s a do-it-all kind of dog.
The Labrador Retriever bred to be both a friendly companion and a useful working dog breed. Historically, they earned their keep as a fisherman’s helper: hauling nets, fetching ropes, and retrieving fish from the chilly North Atlantic.
Today’s Lab is as good-natured and hardworking as their ancestors. Modern Labs work as retrievers for hunters, show competitors, assistance dogs, show competitors, and search and rescue dogs, among other canine jobs.
Physical lineaments and mental characteristics should denote a dog bred to perform as a dynamic Retriever of game with a stable temperament steady for a diversity of pursuits behind the hunting environment.
The Lab was the earliest dog on the cover of Life magazine and the first canine face to grace a U.S. stamp.
Other Names: Labrador, Lab.
Breed Type: Purebred.
AKC Group: Distinguished by the American Kennel Club in 1917 as a Sporting breed.
FCI Group: Recognized by FCI in the Retrievers - Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs group, in the Retrievers section.
Breed Recognition:
Ø HEAD AND SKULL
Skull broad with defined stop; It is a clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, sturdy, not snippy. Nose large, nostrils well-developed.
Eyes: They are medium size, expressing communication and good temper; brown or hazel.
Ears: They are not large or heavy, hang up close to head, and set instead far back.
Mouth: Jaws and teeth solid with a regular, perfect, and complete scissor bite, i.e., upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set quadrate to the jaws.
Neck: Clean, powerful, strong, powerful, set into well-placed shoulders.
Forequarters: placing legs well underbody. Forelegs are well straight and boned from elbow to ground when viewed from either front or side.
Body: It is shoulders long and well laid back, with the upper arm of near-equal length, Chest of right width and depth, with well-sprung barrel ribs - this effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight. Level topline. Loins broad, short-coupled, and healthy.
Feet: They are compact, round, well-arched toes, and well-developed pads.
Tail: It is a distinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed all-round thickly with a thick, short, dense coat, thus giving 'rounded' appearance described as 'Otter' tail.
May be carried merrily but should not curl over the back.
Coat: Distinguishing feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving somewhat hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat.
Sizes: Ideal height at withers:
Dogs 56 - 57 cms (22-22.5 ins)
Bitches 55 - 56 cms (21.5 - 22 ins).
Life expectancy: It is from 10 – 14 years.
Weight: Male: 29–36 kg Female: 25–32 kg.
