Labrador Retrievers originate from the islands of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The founding breed of the Labrador is St. John's Water Dog, used for retrieval and to help fishermen pull nets from the water. Though it is now extinct, modern-day Labradors still bear traces of St. John's Dog, which had 'otter' tails and 'tuxedo markings' - a white chest, feet, chin and muzzle. St. John's Dog so impressed British travellers that it was brought back to the UK in the 1820s and developed into the Labrador Retriever. The first recorded yellow Labrador was born in 1899, with the yellow line being recognised in 1903 by the Kennel Club. The chocolate Labrador emerged later, in the 1930s.

Appearance

There are two lines of Labradors: the Conformation/English/showbench and the Field/American/working lines. Conformation Labradors tend to be medium-sized, shorter and stockier with fuller faces, marked stops and slightly calmer personalities than the Field line, which boasts taller, lighter-framed dogs with thinner faces and longer noses.
Height dogs 22-24 inches (56-61cm), bitches 21-23 inches (53-58cm)
Weight dogs 60-90 pounds (27-41kg), bitches 55-71 pounds (25-32kg)

If you would like to find out more information on the differences between Show Line Labradors and Working Line Labradors follow the Labrador Types link below:

Labrador Types

Personality

Labradors are loyal, affectionate, patient dogs that make great family pets as well as working companions (gundogs, seeing-eye dogs, etc.). They are quick learners, excellent retrievers and love water and food.

Genetics

Have you ever wondered how a yellow dog can have black or chocolate puppies? Or why some have brown and others black noses? To learn all about Labrador colour genetics and how they are inherited follow the Coat Colour Genetics Link below

Coat Color Genetics

The Australian Canine Eye Scheme (ACES) is a national assessment system for registered dog breeds that offers a reliable screening service for a range of congenital and inherited eye conditions. Eye assessments are carried out by registered veterinary eye specialists.

The program is administered by the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) to ensure it meets national quality assurance standards and is endorsed by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) as a reliable screening service, valuable to dog breeders and owners.

Where possible, we should try to minimise the chances of passing on painful or vision-threatening eye conditions from one generation to the next. Regular ACES certification helps breeders plan mating programs and reassure other breeders and potential owners about the soundness of their current stock.

ACES exams screen for a range of eye diseases including those involving the eyelids, tear ducts and surrounding structures. Only conditions affecting the eyeball (cornea, iris, ciliary body, lens, vitreous, retina and optic nerve) are recorded. Examination procedures are prescribed by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists Ophthalmology Chapter and meet international standards.