The Labrador Retriever dog is an example of true friendship and sincere, pure love. The breed appeared a little over 100 years ago and very quickly gained popularity among breeders all over the world. Due to its calm, good-natured and perky nature, the Labrador is considered an ideal family dog that gets along well not only with people, but also with other animals.
Today, the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Every year the number of fans of this breed is growing steadily. And this is not surprising, because an affectionate, sociable and active pet with a good character is the dream of every animal lover.
History of the breed
The ancestors of Labrador Retrievers are the dogs of the North American Indians, who helped fishermen to pull out their nets, swam and dived well. Europeans first saw such dogs at the beginning of the 19th century on the island of Newfoundland. In 1830, Englishman Peter Hawker brought several individuals to Great Britain and named them the Newfoundlands of St. Jones. From crossing the imported Newfoundlands with a setter, an English Foxhound and a curly-haired retriever, the Labrador Retriever appeared. The first breed standard was adopted in 1887. In 1903, the Labrador Retriver breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club. At first, only black labradors were recognized, but at the end of the twentieth century, fawn and chocolate became acceptable colors. The first Labradors were brought to Russia in the late 60s - early 70s. XX century.
Labrador retriever appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a compact, muscular, well-built dog with a broad head, small drooping ears and a powerful, strong neck. These dogs have deep and wide chests, short and strong loins. Paws are compact, round, leathery membranes between the toes. A distinctive feature of the breed is the tail, which is thick at the base and gradually tapering towards the end. The tail is evenly covered with hair, outwardly resembles the tail of an otter. Dogs have a short, straight, hard and dense coat with a well-developed undercoat. The color according to the standard is fawn, black or chocolate, the presence of a small white speck on the chest is permissible. According to the European standard, the height of dogs at the withers is 56-57 cm, the height of the bitches is 54-56 cm. According to the American standard, the height of the dogs at the withers is 57-62 cm, the height of the bitches is 55-59 cm. On average, Labrador retrievers live 12- 13 years.
The nature and characteristics of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador is an obedient and reliable dog, an intelligent and loyal friend and companion. Labradors are known for their versatile talent, intelligence, balanced character. It is very difficult to take them out of peace of mind, and even the fuss, the company of strangers, the screams of children and other annoying factors do not disturb their peace of mind. Labradors cannot stand loneliness, when they are bored and can behave destructively. But when they are given attention and care, they behave extremely quietly and calmly. Get along well with other animals. Everyone eats, and therefore easily gain weight. Dogs of this breed mature very slowly. They respond well to three types of rewards: praise, treats, and toys (games). They strive to please the person, so the only thing they really need is careful and consistent training that will help them cope well with a variety of activities. Labradors shed all year round, so they need to be brushed regularly with a shedding brush.
Labrador retriever professions
Thanks to their keen instinct and passion for retrieving, Labrador Retrievers are used as service dogs. They have many professions: they are used in hunting, in draft work, at customs (to search for explosives and drugs), as well as in mining and water rescue work. The docile nature of the Labrador and the innate foresight are suitable for working as a guide for the blind. In the world, 80% of guide dogs are Labradors. Labrador is a born nanny, you can safely leave children under his supervision. But if you plan to use a Labrador Retriever as a guard, then you will be disappointed. This dog may bark menacingly, but it is too friendly and loyal to scare away strangers and be an effective guard.
