Labrador Retriever History

The Labrador Retriever History
by Lorraine Jones

       The history of the Labrador Retriever can be traced definitely back to the late 1700's in Newfoundland. At that time there were two breeds, the Greater Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland. These two breeds of Newfoundland's were also known as the Greater and Lesser St. John's dogs. The Greater Newfoundland was used primarily for draft work - working in a four-dog team they would haul carts, including the driver, loaded with 200 to 300 pounds of fish. They were the larger of the two breeds and possessed a long thick coat. The Lesser Newfoundland was a smooth coated black dog, that was unrivaled for hardiness and stamina. These dogs were the constant companions of the fishermen of the Labrador Sea. After a hard day's work, which would sometimes last twenty hours, one could find these Lesser Newfoundland's playing with the children of the fisherman.
     The Lesser Newfoundland had such a reputation for its loving devotion, loyalty, and hunting and retrieving abilities that there was established an importing of these dogs to Great Britain. In Great Britain, the Lesser Newfoundland became very popular on the large estates, and a breeding program by the estate owners was put into place. The third Earl of Malmesbury wrote in 1887 to a friend, "We always called mine Labrador dogs, and I have kept the breed as pure as I could from the first I had from Poole (Harbour), at that time carrying on a brisk trade with Newfoundland. The real breed may be known by their having a close coat which turns the water off like oil, above all, a tail like an otter."
      Unfortunately, not every breeder wanted to keep the breed pure. In the early days of hunting and retrieving with dogs, this would be the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, a retriever was simply known as a "retriever" and owner/breeders interbred dogs by deciding if they liked some quality or hunting ability displayed by the dogs. They bred long coated and short coated dogs, as well as curly coated dogs. Naturally breeders recognized the excellent qualities of the Labrador Retrievers, and crossed them into their lines as well. The Lab's gene pool is dominant to the point that when crossed with some other breed type, the Labrador quality and looks usually dominate the looks and personality of the offspring.
     It was a good thing they had established the breed in England because the Quarantine Act of 1885 stopped the further importation of the Lesser Newfoundland dog.
     By 1903, the Lesser Newfoundland, now known as the Labrador Retriever, was established as a separate, true breeding strain, and it was granted a registration status by the English Kennel Club. Finally, in 1917, the American Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a separate retriever breed.
     The Labrador Retriever Club recognizes the importance of keeping the Lab true to its original purpose and therefore, requires that before the Club will recognize a conformation championship, the Lab must also have a Working Certificate, to prove that it meets minimum standards of field work. The AKC does not put any restriction and so the dual champions of the past have been greatly reduced.
     The popularity of the Labrador Retriever can also be a hidden curse as well. People see the breeding and selling of puppies as a way to make money. So you end up having puppy mills that crank out hundreds of puppies that may or may not be sound of body or temperament. The puppy mills have no interest in the continuation of the health, intelligence or stamina of the breed. Their only interest is in the money they will make. Today's Labrador Retriever is prone to hip dysplasia, peripheral retinal atrophy, and retinal dysplasia. The medical conditions of the Lab is discussed further under our breed medical section. With the puppy mill's practices, these conditions have become more acute in the Lab bloodline and care must be taken by the new owner to insure that the dog he is purchasing is sound. The importance of finding a reputable breeder, not a puppy mill or backyard breeder, will help the new owner in getting the most healthy dog possible.

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