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> The Labrador Retriever
BREED PROFILE: THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER
Origin:
The origins of the Labrador are rather obscure but two types of dog
were known in Newfoundland - a large heavy dog used to pull boats into
land and a lighter, smoother coated variety used by fisherman to retrieve
game and fish. They were both known as Newfoundland dogs and it was not
until 1812 that the larger breed was known as Newfoundlands, and the smaller
as the lesser Newfoundland or Labrador. In 1814 Labradors were taken to
England where, in a book 'Instructions to Young Sportsmen', the breed
was described as 'by far the best for every kind of shooting'.
Personality:
An adaptable and devoted companion with a kindly nature, Labradors
easily adopt the role of children's playmate or elderly persons pet. The
keenness to learn and willingness to please make the Labrador an ideal
choice as a guide dog for the blind. The puppies are placed with a family
for the first 12 months of their life and then return to the Guide Dog
School for an intensive training course. After graduation the dog is matched
with a compatible owner and devotes itself to the safety of its owner.
Trainability:
The excellent sense of smell possessed by Labradors, coupled with
their eagerness and agility, makes them suitable as bomb detection or
drug sniffer dogs. These dogs are trained to detect certain substances
and, by their behaviour, alert their handlers. To the dog it is all one
big game of 'hide and seek', although in the case of bomb detection dogs
they save many lives.
Physical characteristics:
The tail is very thick at the base, of medium length and gradually
tapering to the tip, densely coated with short, thick hair giving a characteristic
'otter' tail. The head is broad with medium sized brown eyes expressing
intelligence and good temper and ears hanging close to the head.
Colours:
Although the Labrador is commonly referred to as the 'golden' Labrador,
the colour is officially called 'yellow' and ranges from light cream through
to a red fox shade. Other permissible colours are black, liver or chocolate.
Coat:
The coat is a distinctive feature - short, dense without wave or feathering
and with a fairly hard feel and a weather resistant undercoat.
Height:
A strongly built dog with a broad and deep chest, the ideal height
is 56 - 57 cm for males, and 54 - 56 cm for females.
Lifespan: 12 - 14 years
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