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Puppies
Posh x Yeoman
Born
1/8/13
2 Black Boys
1 Black Girl
Beautiful calm English Labrador Retriever
Puppies.
Pet, Hunting, Show
AMERICAN vs. ENGLISH
There is only
one breed of dog known as the Labrador
Retriever, described by the Standard of the
Breed
Within Labrador Retriever breed type there are
variations in body style which have evolved to
suit the use of the dog, as well as the
preferences of individual breeders and owners.
In the United States the general public has
begun to label these variations mistakenly as
"English or "American" style. Perhaps a better
description for variations in style is
"show/conformation" or "working/field" styles.
The working/field or "American" style of dog is the
label often attached to a Labrador possessing
lighter bone structure and exhibiting more
length of leg, a less dense coat, and a narrower
head with more length of muzzle.
The conformation/show or "English" style Labrador is
generally thought of as a stockier dog, heavier
of bone and shorter on leg and with a denser
coat, and having a head often described as
"square or blocky." However, working/field
variations occur in England as well, so this
description is not necessarily suitable.
These general images portray the extremes of both
styles and do not help to identify the
temperament, trainability or health of the dog.
In fact, the vast majority of Labrador
retrievers, whether of conformation/show
breeding or working/field breeding, possess
moderate body styles much closer to the written
Standard of the breed. It is possible that
within a single litter, whether that litter has
been bred for show/conformation or
working/field, individual pups can mature to be
representatives of the range, though rarely
producing the extremes, of the two styles. We
recommend that you discuss the issue of size and
style, as well as temperament, trainability and
health, with any breeder you contact. However,
please remember that there is only one Labrador
Retriever breed, one that meets the requirements
as set forth in the Official Standard
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/subpages/show
_contents.phppage=English+vs.+American
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"AKC Breed Standards"
Labrador
Retriever
Sporting Group
Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built,
medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound,
athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to
function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and
soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long
hours under difficult conditions; the character and
quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to
be a family companion. Physical features and mental
characteristics should denote a dog bred to perform as
an efficient Retriever of game with a stable temperament
suitable for a variety of pursuits beyond the hunting
environment.
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador
Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat;
an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull
and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind,"
friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and
good temperament.
Above all, a Labrador Retriever must be well balanced,
enabling it to move in the show ring or work in the
field with little or no effort. The typical Labrador
possesses style and quality without over refinement, and
substance without lumber or cloddiness. The Labrador is
bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and
soundness are of great importance.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Size--The height at the withers for a dog is 22½
to 24½ inches; for a bitch is 21½ to 23½ inches. Any
variance greater than ½ inch above or below these
heights is a disqualification. Approximate weight of
dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80
pounds; bitches 55 to 70 pounds.
The minimum height ranges set forth in the paragraph
above shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve
months of age.
Proportion--Short-coupled; length from the point
of the shoulder to the point of the rump is equal to or
slightly longer than the distance from the withers to
the ground. Distance from the elbow to the ground should
be equal to one half of the height at the withers. The
brisket should extend to the elbows, but not perceptibly
deeper. The body must be of sufficient length to permit
a straight, free and efficient stride; but the dog
should never appear low and long or tall and leggy in
outline. Substance--Substance and bone
proportionate to the overall dog. Light, "weedy"
individuals are definitely incorrect; equally
objectionable are cloddy lumbering specimens. Labrador
Retrievers shall be shown in working condition
well-muscled and without excess fat.
Head
Skull--The skull should be wide; well developed
but without exaggeration. The skull and foreface should
be on parallel planes and of approximately equal length.
There should be a moderate stop--the brow slightly
pronounced so that the skull is not absolutely in a
straight line with the nose. The brow ridges aid in
defining the stop. The head should be clean-cut and free
from fleshy cheeks; the bony structure of the skull
chiseled beneath the eye with no prominence in the
cheek. The skull may show some median line; the
occipital bone is not conspicuous in mature dogs. Lips
should not be squared off or pendulous, but fall away in
a curve toward the throat. A wedge-shape head, or a head
long and narrow in muzzle and back skull is incorrect as
are massive, cheeky heads. The jaws are powerful and
free from snippiness-- the muzzle neither long and
narrow nor short and stubby. Nose-- The nose
should be wide and the nostrils well-developed. The nose
should be black on black or yellow dogs, and brown on
chocolates. Nose color fading to a lighter shade is not
a fault. A thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any
pigment is a disqualification. Teeth--The teeth
should be strong and regular with a scissors bite; the
lower teeth just behind, but touching the inner side of
the upper incisors. A level bite is acceptable, but not
desirable. Undershot, overshot, or misaligned teeth are
serious faults. Full dentition is preferred. Missing
molars or pre-molars are serious faults. Ears--The
ears should hang moderately close to the head, set
rather far back, and somewhat low on the skull; slightly
above eye level. Ears should not be large and heavy, but
in proportion with the skull and reach to the inside of
the eye when pulled forward. Eyes--Kind, friendly
eyes imparting good temperament, intelligence and
alertness are a hallmark of the breed. They should be of
medium size, set well apart, and neither protruding nor
deep set. Eye color should be brown in black and yellow
Labradors, and brown or hazel in chocolates. Black, or
yellow eyes give a harsh expression and are undesirable.
Small eyes, set close together or round prominent eyes
are not typical of the breed. Eye rims are black in
black and yellow Labradors; and brown in chocolates. Eye
rims without pigmentation is a disqualification.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck--The neck should be of proper length to
allow the dog to retrieve game easily. It should be
muscular and free from throatiness. The neck should rise
strongly from the shoulders with a moderate arch. A
short, thick neck or a "ewe" neck is incorrect.
Topline--The back is strong and the topline is level
from the withers to the croup when standing or moving.
However, the loin should show evidence of flexibility
for athletic endeavor. Body--The Labrador should
be short-coupled, with good spring of ribs tapering to a
moderately wide chest. The Labrador should not be narrow
chested; giving the appearance of hollowness between the
front legs, nor should it have a wide spreading,
bulldog-like front. Correct chest conformation will
result in tapering between the front legs that allows
unrestricted forelimb movement. Chest breadth that is
either too wide or too narrow for efficient movement and
stamina is incorrect. Slab-sided individuals are not
typical of the breed; equally objectionable are rotund
or barrel chested specimens. The underline is almost
straight, with little or no tuck-up in mature animals.
Loins should be short, wide and strong; extending to
well developed, powerful hindquarters. When viewed from
the side, the Labrador Retriever shows a well-developed,
but not exaggerated forechest. Tail--The tail is
a distinguishing feature of the breed. It should be very
thick at the base, gradually tapering toward the tip, of
medium length, and extending no longer than to the hock.
The tail should be free from feathering and clothed
thickly all around with the Labrador's short, dense
coat, thus having that peculiar rounded appearance that
has been described as the "otter" tail. The tail should
follow the top line in repose or when in motion. It may
be carried gaily, but should not curl over the back.
Extremely short tails or long thin tails are serious
faults. The tail completes the balance of the Labrador
by giving it a flowing line from the top of the head to
the tip of the tail. Docking or otherwise altering the
length or natural carriage of the tail is a
disqualification.
Forequarters
Forequarters should be muscular, well coordinated and
balanced with the hindquarters. Shoulders--The
shoulders are well laid-back, long and sloping, forming
an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees
that permits the dog to move his forelegs in an easy
manner with strong forward reach. Ideally, the length of
the shoulder blade should equal the length of the upper
arm. Straight shoulder blades, short upper arms or
heavily muscled or loaded shoulders, all restricting
free movement, are incorrect. Front Legs--When
viewed from the front, the legs should be straight with
good strong bone. Too much bone is as undesirable as too
little bone, and short legged, heavy boned individuals
are not typical of the breed. Viewed from the side, the
elbows should be directly under the withers, and the
front legs should be perpendicular to the ground and
well under the body. The elbows should be close to the
ribs without looseness. Tied-in elbows or being "out at
the elbows" interfere with free movement and are serious
faults. Pasterns should be strong and short and should
slope slightly from the perpendicular line of the leg.
Feet are strong and compact, with well-arched toes and
well-developed pads. Dew claws may be removed. Splayed
feet, hare feet, knuckling over, or feet turning in or
out are serious faults.
Hindquarters
The Labrador's hindquarters are broad, muscular and
well-developed from the hip to the hock with well-turned
stifles and strong short hocks. Viewed from the rear,
the hind legs are straight and parallel. Viewed from the
side, the angulation of the rear legs is in balance with
the front. The hind legs are strongly boned, muscled
with moderate angulation at the stifle, and powerful,
clearly defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there
is no slippage of the patellae while in motion or when
standing. The hock joints are strong, well let down and
do not slip or hyper-extend while in motion or when
standing. Angulation of both stifle and hock joint is
such as to achieve the optimal balance of drive and
traction. When standing the rear toes are only slightly
behind the point of the rump. Over angulation produces a
sloping topline not typical of the breed. Feet are
strong and compact, with well-arched toes and
well-developed pads. Cow-hocks, spread hocks, sickle
hocks and over-angulation are serious structural defects
and are to be faulted.
Coat
The coat is a distinctive feature of the Labrador
Retriever. It should be short, straight and very dense,
giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The Labrador
should have a soft, weather-resistant undercoat that
provides protection from water, cold and all types of
ground cover. A slight wave down the back is
permissible. Woolly coats, soft silky coats, and sparse
slick coats are not typical of the breed, and should be
severely penalized.
Color
The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and
chocolate. Any other color or a combination of colors is
a disqualification. A small white spot on the chest is
permissible, but not desirable. White hairs from aging
or scarring are not to be misinterpreted as brindling.
Black--Blacks are all black. A black with brindle
markings or a black with tan markings is a
disqualification. Yellow--Yellows may range in
color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in
shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog.
Chocolate--Chocolates can vary in shade from light
to dark chocolate. Chocolate with brindle or tan
markings is a disqualification.
Movement
Movement of the Labrador Retriever should be free and
effortless. When watching a dog move toward oneself,
there should be no sign of elbows out. Rather, the
elbows should be held neatly to the body with the legs
not too close together. Moving straight forward without
pacing or weaving, the legs should form straight lines,
with all parts moving in the same plane. Upon viewing
the dog from the rear, one should have the impression
that the hind legs move as nearly as possible in a
parallel line with the front legs. The hocks should do
their full share of the work, flexing well, giving the
appearance of power and strength. When viewed from the
side, the shoulders should move freely and effortlessly,
and the foreleg should reach forward close to the ground
with extension. A short, choppy movement or high knee
action indicates a straight shoulder; paddling indicates
long, weak pasterns; and a short, stilted rear gait
indicates a straight rear assembly; all are serious
faults. Movement faults interfering with performance
including weaving; side-winding; crossing over; high
knee action; paddling; and short, choppy movement,
should be severely penalized.
Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a
hallmark of the breed as the "otter" tail. The ideal
disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable
nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man
or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people;
his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him
an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other
animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should
be severely penalized.
Disqualifications
- Any
deviation from the height prescribed in the Standard.
- A
thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any pigment.
- Eye rims
without pigment.
- Docking
or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage
of the tail.
- Any other
color or a combination of colors other than black,
yellow or chocolate as described in the Standard.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm
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The Breed
History
Newfoundland was settled by English fisherman as early
as the 1500's and the St. John's dogs seemed to
develop along with the fishing occupation. The
English fisherman in Newfoundland used the St.
John's dog to retrieve fish that had fallen off
their hooks as well to help haul in fishing
lines through the water. The St. John's dogs
were considered "workaholics" and enjoyed the
retrieving tasks given in the fishing
environment. This breed was very eager to please
and their retrieving abilities made them ideal
for hunting companions and sporting dogs. In
today's world many see their hunting companion
as living for the sport. He will break ice to
retrieve birds only to return and wait for the
next one to come down. You have to keep an eye
on the dog in warm weather as he will gladly
work beyond his physical abilities and even
overheat if you don't watch him. It was said
that the dogs would work long hours with the
fisherman in the cold waters, then be brought
home to play with the fisherman's children. The
wonderful temperament of the Labrador Retriever
is documented back to its early days in England
and has made them ideal family pets as well as
accomplished sporting dogs.
In Newfoundland the St. John's dog
eventually became extinct. The reasons seem to
be political. In 1780 the Governor wanted to
encourage sheep raising and to stop any menace
to sheep he ordered that there could be no more
than one dog for a family. The St. John's dog
were native to Newfoundland and so all but the
ones that had been exported to England were
vulnerable to this order. This action had a
great impact on St. John's dogs since they were
not wide spread and now their
numbers were being discouraged in their
homeland.
Above are two of the last St. John's dogs in Newfoundland. Author Richard Wolters indicated
in his book the Labrador Retriever that these
two males survived extinction because they were
in a very remote area. There were no female dogs
left to breed to, so these appear to have been
the last two original St. John's dogs. Wolters'
book was published in 1981 and at that time
Lassie (on the right) was 13 years old and his
brother (left) was 15 years old.
Note these dogs also have the white toes and
muzzle like the early Labradors in England. This
trait appears to have been bred out of the dogs
since the only white markings AKC allows at this
time is perhaps a small white spot on the chest.
Sometimes one will find some white hairs on the
toes or foot pads still today. That likely
traces to the original dogs.
http://www.chocolatelabs.co.uk/html/labrador_history.html
The fishermen used dogs to retrieve fish that
fell off hooks and to help haul in swimming
lines or fishing nets. These dogs needed to be
eager to please, strong swimmers and small
enough to haul in and out of the two man " Dory"
type boats. They needed to have short, water
repellent dense coats that could withstand very
cold water and wouldn't ball up with ice or
bring excess water onboard. Onshore, as
temporary settlements gave way to more permanent
ones, a retrieving dog would have been a very
useful hunting companion. The St. John's area of
Newfoundland was settled predominantly by
Englishmen who brought these working dogs to
England through Poole Harbor, Dorset, the hub of
the Newfoundland fishing trade. These St. John's
dogs became the most prized sporting dogs for
the gentry who could afford to maintain kennels
for controlled breeding.
Without written records from the earliest days to
detail which dogs came from where and to whom
they were bred, we can only speculate about the
ancestors of these St. John's dogs. The black
St. Hubert's hound from France, working water
dogs from Portugal, old European pointer breeds
and dogs belonging to the native Indians have
all been suggested as possible predecessors.
Certainly some mixture of these or others is
logical since tradesmen from around the world
frequented Newfoundland for several centuries,
plenty of time to develop breeds with the
desired working traits. Two distinctly different
breeds resulted, the larger longer haired dog
used for hauling that became the Newfoundland we
know today and the smaller shorter coated
retriever that led to our present day labs. See
the breed " standards" which detail form and
function specifications for Labradors.
http://www.alllabs.com/labrador_retriever_history.htm
"Who, What, When and Where" in Labrador Retriever
History
Early 1800's - First St. John's dogs arrived in
England, some imported by the 2nd Earl of
Malmesbury to Heron (Hurn) Court, near Poole
1814 - First written reference to the Labrador in "
Instructions to Young Sportsmen…" by Colonel
Peter Hawker who observed them on Newfoundland
1823 - Sporting artist Edward Landseer painted a black
dog with white markings-entitled " Cora. A
Labrador Bitch."
1835 - 5th Duke of Buccleuch started kennel of St.
John's dogs in Scotland
1839 - 5th Duke of Buccleuch wrote a letter referring
to his " Labrador" Moss as well as the "
Labrador" Drake belonging to the 10th Lord Home
Early Pictures From The History Of The Labrador
Retriever
 This
is Nell, the photograph dating from 1856 and is
the earliest ever photo of a Labrador (St Johns
Dog). Notice the white feet and muzzle.
http://www.labrador-retriever-guide.com/historyofthelabradorretriever.html
1870 - the name Labrador Retriever becomes common in
England
1882 - 3rd Earl of Malmesbury gave 6 of his Labs to the
6th Duke of Buccleuch and the 12th Earl of Home
so that the closely held breeding stock would be
preserved
1885 - Inauguration of the Newfoundland Sheep
Protection Act, which imposed a duty on all
dogs, along with the Quarantine Act in England
and the decreasing fishing trade led to the
dwindling supply of imported dogs from
Newfoundland to England
1887 - Letter from the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury to 6th
Duke of Buccleuch refers to the breed… " We
always call mine Labrador dogs and I have kept
the breed as pure as I could from the first I
had from Poole….known by their having a close
coat which turns the water off like oil and,
above all, a tail like an otter."
Buccleuch Avon was one of the founders of
the modern Labrador, and he carried the "liver"
gene. He is believed to be the ancestor of all
chocolate Labs.
“Buccleuch Avon”
was one of the foundation sires of the Buccleuch
dogs. The other foundation sire was Buccleuch
Ned. Both of these dogs had very close
short-hair, although one can obviously see that
Avon’s coat isn’t exactly like the modern
Labrador. It is longish, perhaps the result of
breeding short and long-haired dogs of this type
together. (See my post on
Zelstone to see two St. John’s water dog’s
with long hair.)
Avon was born in 1885, and he was brought into
the breeding program to save this type of
“Newfoundland.” The Earls of Malmesbury had been
using smooth-haired St. John’s water dogs for
many generations, and the Dukes of Buccleuch had
founded their own strain. In the 1880s,
the breed was so interbred with long-haired
dogs, setters, and water spaniels, that the
strain nearly died out. The Fifth Duke of
Buccleuch and the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury got
together, and the Earl of Malmesbury provided
the Buccleuch Estate with dogs that were
descended from recently imported stock
from Newfoundland, as well as actual imports.
Avon was one of these dogs, as was Ned. The most
of the bitches used in the breeding program were
“made in England,” descendants of the Malmesbury
dogs.
At some point in the 1890s, “liver” puppies were
born at the Buccleuch Estate. These resulting in
breeding two dogs that descended from Avon, and
it was assessed that it was Avon who carried
this gene into the program.
http://retrieverman.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/another-st-johns-water-dog-avon-the-father-of-the-chocolate-labrador/
1892 - Two " liver" colored Labrador pups born
at Buccleuch's kennel
1899 - First yellow Lab on
record, Ben of Hyde born at kennel of Major C.J.
Radclyffe
The first recognized yellow
lab, Ben of Hyde, was born in 1899.
But the “yellow” coat of Ben of Hyde wasn’t the
yellow lab color most think of today. He was a
deep butterscotch color called “fox red.” The
yellow labs were originally called “Golden”
until the British Kennel Club began to register
them and argued that gold is not a color. (If
you see a “Golden Lab” today it is not a
recognized breed at all but rather a cross
between a Golden Retriever and a Lab.) The fox
red color remained the norm until just after
World War II, but as time passed, the preference
shifted toward lighter shades of yellow.
http://campsmoke.fmallen.com/?p=2623
1903 - Labradors recognized
by the kennel club in England
Early 20th Century - Scottish
style shooting and the prestige of bringing over
a Scottish gamekeeper led to the importing of
Labs to America
1916 - Labrador Club formed
in England instrumental in this were Lord
Knutsford (Munden Kennel line) and Lady Lorna,
Countess Howe (Banchory Labradors)
1917 - First Labs registered
in the American Kennel Club
1931 - The Labrador Retriever
Club incorporated in the U.S. and the first
American field trial for Labs held at the
Glenmere Court Estate in Chester, NY
1930's - Field trial clubs
spread throughout the U.S.
1933 - First American
specialty for Labs held in NYC and judged by
Mrs. Marshall Field
Late 1930's - Chocolates
became known in 2 British kennels, Tibshelfs and
Cookridge
1938 - First dog to appear on
the cover of Life Magazine-" Blind of Arden" , a
black Lab belonging to W. Averell Harriman. At 4
years of age he won the top US Retriever stake
that year.
1941 - National Retriever
Club established in the U.S.
Late 1940's and 1950's -
Social and economic changes that developed after
World War II led to the growing popularity of
the Lab with Americans from all walks of life
1959 - First dog ever to
appear on a U.S. stamp, the famous black Lab, "
King Buck"
1991 - Labradors leap into
first place in AKC registrations
http://www.alllabs.com/labrador_retriever_history.htm
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