The Labrador Retriever is one of the worlds most popular breeds and is well known for its lovable nature and friendly disposition.
The Labrador is a medium-sized dog, with a sturdy frame, thick straight otter tail, broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. They have a dense but short double coat, which is very water repellent and is usually either yellow, black, liver or chocolate. Their popularity comes from their extremely lovable nature, ever-wagging tail and natural exuberance. They make wonderful family dogs and get on well with other dogs and household pets. However, a young Labrador is also strong and very active and requires plenty of exercise and playtime. They will also benefit from some gentle training to ensure that you are the one taking them for a walk and not the other way around. A bored, lonely or under-exercised Labrador can become destructive, chewing, digging and barking excessively. Some Labradors can be prone to put on weight.
History
The Breed originates from Newfoundland, where it was used by fishermen to help with retrieving nets, pulling carts and retrieving ducks. It is thought that a smaller version of today’s Newfoundland dog was crossed with hunting dogs taken to Newfoundland by English traders, forming the basis of the modern Labrador. A number of these dogs were taken back to England where they became popular with the sporting gentry for their excellent retrieving skills.
