The “Lab” is native to Newfoundland, Canada and was a present member of every Newfoundland fishing crew.   The name though, implies that the dog originated in Labrador since it was first brought to Great Britain in the early 1800’s by English trade ships coming from Labrador.  From there they won the hearts of the English Nobles and their subjects.  The Lab migrated with traders south into the United States about the same time.  Other old names for the Lab are the lesser Newfoundland, the black water dog and the St. John’s dog. 

 The Lab was originally trained to jump overboard as its boat neared the harbor and gather ends of the fish filled nets in its mouth and haul them to shore.  It would also retrieve the cork floats of the nets and swim them to land.  It is also said that the Labs would collect the fish that fell from the nets and bring them to shore.

 When brought to Britain, the English become aware of the skills of the dogs and gradually bred them with other sporting dogs such as water spaniels and the curly coated retriever to specialize the dog as a true sporting companion.  The Lab also became indispensable as a sled dog, message-carrier and general working dog.

 The Lab today continues this proud tradition of service and is trained to detect narcotics, used in other various police work and as an invaluable aide to the blind as guide dogs.

 We Sportsmen know the Lab best as a very versatile gundog, retrieving downed waterfowl, finding and flushing upland birds.  Its “soft” mouth brings the query back without a feather out of place.  Labs are also being trained to track downed big game and to find shed Whitetail antlers.  With their excellent sense of smell, they are easily trained for these purposes and as search and rescue dogs.

 The Labrador Retriever is a strong, solid, heavy boned dog with the average male being between 22 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing 55 to 90 pounds.  It should have a robust, pointed head with a thick nose, scissor bite and pronounced forehead.  The ears should hang against the head.  Its neck will be powerful and the tail is medium length “otter” like which is thick at the base and rounded and tapered along its length.  The legs should have thick solid structure and be proportionate to the body.  Their eyes can range from light chestnut to dark hazel.  The hair should be dense and hard without waves, with one (or two) layer of waterproof undercoat.  The coat is solid in color and can be black, yellow, fawn, cream, rust or chocolate, occasionally it will have small white markings on the chest.

 The personality of the Lab has made it one of the most popular breeds in the world.  It is reliable, responsive and obedient with proper training.  The Lab can adapt to any living environment and is exceptionally patient and gentle with children and the infirm.

With the double (and sometime triple) coat of a Lab it requires frequent brushing and shedding is the one complaint that most folks have about owning a Lab. 

 If allowed to be sedimentary, a Lab can become overweight very easily and thus requires regular exercise.

 Like all large breeds this general robust dog is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia.  It may also suffer from epilepsy, diabetes and cataracts.

 References:  Guide to Dogs, 1999, Weldon Books; www.akc.org; www.ukcdogs.com

First Photo my Lab "Abbie" other photos from AKC/UKC and general photo websites.

By Luanne Bragg

TalkHunting Pro Staffer, Luanne "Beaglepup" Bragg, started hunting (going hunting) with her Grandfather in the fall of 1965.  He loved to squirrel hunt and would carry her into the woods and sit her on a rock and let her hold his prizes.  He took Luanne on her first Pheasant and Rabbit hunts when she was 7.  Shortly after that he had a massive stroke and was never able to return to the woods again.  When Luanne was 9 her Father, who was about to retire from the Marine Corps after 20 years active duty, and Uncle decided that since she could shoot she could remove the ground hogs and crows from the farm fields.  Luanne spent the next few years watching all the wildlife and removing varmints from the farm.  She took herself deer hunting for the first time when she was 15 and took her first deer at 17.  There was a long time between Luanne's first deer and her next deer due to college and work and general life.  She did a lot of small game hunting with her ex-husband starting in 1985 and killed her next deer in 1988.  She has not missed a deer or turkey season since.  When not hunting she is fishing or working in her garden (when not WORKING...).

Luanne has raised, trained and field trialed Beagles in the UKC and ARHA formats for 20 years and has produced several Field and Show Champions and Grand Field and Show Champions.  There is usually at least one litter of puppies born on her place every year.

She holds a Real Estate License in Virginia and owns a Dog Boarding Kennel.  Luanne belongs to the National Association of Realtors, Central Virginia Beaglers Association, NRA, NWTF and Buckmasters.  She was born in East Liverpool, Ohio,  and started showing Appaloosa horses in 1969 and was the Pennsylvania Appaloosa Queen in 1980 and runner up to the National Queen Title the same year. When she gets the chance she still enjoys a long trail ride.  She graduated from Kent State University in Kent Ohio in 1982 with a degree in Applied Science. Luanne relocated from Ohio to Virginia in 1984.

Comments(4):

1. Never had a lab

   Never had a lab but this article makes me want to get one. Thanks for a great peice.

   Sunday, March 06, 2011 Robert

2. labrador retriever

   if you want a great family dog and hunter BP hard not to love a lab. always wanted a chocolate lab with those yellow eyes to goose hunt with in my younger days. well written concise story on a great breed.

   Sunday, March 06, 2011 brad

3. Wet Eyes after reading this

   I recently just lost my "little buddy", a 2 year old Chocolate Male named Reese. He was hit by a car in front of my house few weeks back, as I worked in the garage, and I was forced to make a decison that night that I didn't think would come for another 10 or so years. He was my best friend, a loyal, friendly, great around family and friends kind of dog, and a "knucklehead" at times. Now there is a hole in my heart now that will take a long time to heal. Reese was a one of a kind dog and will never be able to be replaced. My wife and I miss him everyday more and more. Some day, when it feels right, I imagine we will get another lab, as they are great dogs, but Reese will never be forgotten....

   Friday, April 08, 2011 Al

4. I Understand

   Al, I understand what it is to loose a "best friend". I lost two very old big hounds that I had rescued and who had lived in the house with me for over 14 years. They passed in May and June of 2010 but I still have an empty space for them. I was lucky to have my lab and weimer when they passed. I know that two of my beloved Beagles will be soon to follow. I miss them all and dearly love the ones I still have.

   Wednesday, April 13, 2011 Luanne