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There are Retrievers and then, there are Labrador Retrievers. Let’s clarify this immediately. The term, retriever, refers to any one of several breeds of sporting dogs. It is a relatively generic term for an overall class of dog. The term, Labrador Retriever, refers to a specific breed of dog.
Retrievers are dogs that are easily trained to locate and bring back dead, or wounded, game. Generally, these dogs are used in the hunting of waterfowl such as the duck. They are also used in the hunting of land poultry, such as the pheasant. Retrievers hunt by using smells that they pick up on the air, whereas hounds use smells picked up via land and clothing, or other stimuli.
Retrievers are generally all first-rate swimmers. Retrievers all usually have water-resistant coats. Retrievers also all generally enjoy swimming and show no fear around water.
The American Kennel Club lists the following breeds of retrievers: Chesapeake Bay, Golden, Curly-coated, Flat-coated, and Labrador retriever. (The Curly-coated Retriever can be traced back as far as the 16th century. It is one of the oldest of the known retriever breeds.)
Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland, Canada. The breed was imported into England early in the 19th century. The Labrador Retriever was identified as a type of Newfoundland dog until about 1887. At this time, it was formally labeled the Labrador Retriever.
This was probably to differentiate it from the various other types of Newfoundland bred dogs that were commonly used as retrievers. The Kennel Club of England acknowledged the Labrador Retriever in 1903. The American Kennel Club acknowledged the Labrador Retriever in 1914.
A male Labrador Retriever stands 23 to 25 in high at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 75 lb. A Labrador Retriever bitch is only a little smaller. The Labrador Retriever has a short thick black, yellow, or chocolate-colored coat. The coat of a purebred Labrador Retriever should be relatively water-resistant. The Labrador Retriever has a broad skull, medium-sized ears, black or brown eyes, and an expansive chest. It is built for power, speed, and agility. The hereditary problems of the Labrador Retriever include, but are not limited to, Hip Dysplasia, eye diseases, and Epilepsy.
The Pros of owning a Labrador Retriever are that these dogs are non-agressive, athletic, and loyal. They are great hunting partners, and love water. Labradors are friendly and love people.
The cons? Labradors can be extremely high-strung. While they will bark to announce intruders, they are rarely aggressive enough to be considered a true guard dog. These dogs require large amounts of attention and exercise.
If you are interested in learning more about Labrador Retrievers, then you should contact the American Kennel Society.
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