1 Labrador Retriever History
Origins of the Labrador Retriever
The beginning of humankind’s association with canines is not clearly known, but most historians agree that cubs of wild canines—probably wolves—were captured or befriended, socialized, and bred to produce tamer offspring. Individuals with desirable traits and abilities were mated and, as centuries stretched into millennia, many varied breeds of dogs came into being. Each breed was developed for a certain purpose. The Labrador Retriever was developed for retrieving in water.
The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada before 1800, not in Labrador, as the name implies, but along the east and southeast coast of Newfoundland. First known as St. John’s water dogs, Labs were related to the larger, long-haired Newfoundland dogs. The St. John’s water dogs were smaller, but very hardy and extremely strong swimmers. They were originally used by fishermen to retrieve codfish that managed to shake off the hook while being pulled to the surface. The dogs also helped haul ashore heavy, water-soaked nets. The advantage of the smooth coat of the St. John’s dogs over the Newfies’ shaggy fur was that ice did not form on the short, water-repellent hair and weigh the dog down. Black was by far the most common color for these dogs, yellow was uncommon, chocolate rare.
By the end of the 1700s St. John’s water dogs were shipped to England, where they met with great favor as gundogs. Fanciers began breeding the dogs, and by 1850 they were well established in England. There is no record of who first started calling these dogs Labrador Retrievers, but the name began in England in the mid-1800s.
Note: Because Labs are such good buddies, I have given the name “Buddy” to the “universal Lab” in this book. Though a buddy could be either male or female, this Buddy happens to be a male, so in this book masculine pronouns are used when referring to the dogs (except when pertaining specifically to female Labs).
The Labrador Retriever was developed for water work.
When the Kennel Club of England was formed in 1878, all retrievers were registered simply as “retrievers.” The Labrador Retriever was classified as a separate breed in 1904. English-bred Labradors arrived back in Newfoundland about that time and a Labrador Retriever club was formed there. An English import Lab won Best in Show at the first allbreed Newfoundland Kennel Club show.
Labs became popular hunting retrievers and family companions on both sides of the Atlantic and developed a reputation for hardiness, scenting ability, good temper, love of water, and careful retrieves. England’s royal family began breeding Labs at their Wolferton and Sandringham kennels in the early 1900s, and continue today. Labs are used in England as police dogs and guide dogs, as well as for hunting and companionship.
Uses
Scent Work
On this side of the Atlantic we see more German Shepherds and Rottweilers than Labradors in police patrol work, but Labs are often selected for jobs requiring scent work. Customs Service officers often use this breed to detect illegal drugs and other contraband at border crossings, seaports, and airports. Some of these dogs are donated; others are adopted from shelters. Good candidates are energetic, self-confident, and especially avid game players, because Customs dogs are rewarded for finds with a rousing game of fetch or tug, for which Labradors can be perfect.
Labs are popular as hunting dogs.
Suspicious vehicles crossing the Mexican or Canadian border into the United States may
