Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retrievers can often be thought of as being very energetic having a happy-go-lucky or easy-going nature. They were originally bred as hunting dogs which suits their calm nature combined with their athletic tendencies and stamina. Today this allows them to become service dogs primarily in search and rescue and disability assistance. However, as with other working breeds, the athleticism of the pet Labrador Retriever requires physical and mental stimulation in the family environment.

Labrador Retrievers are usually very food motivated, this helps learning and training, furthering the dog's bond to the family. Rewarding the dog with food for dropping a retrieved item can also help reduce the dog's tendencies for retrieving items not intended for play.

Labrador Retriever History:

The Labrador Retrievers roots trace back to the coast of Newfoundland, Canada to around the seventeenth century. Originally they were known as the “Lesser Newfoundland.” It is believed they may have descended from the extinct “St. John’s Water Dog” , a cross between native water dogs and the Newfoundland.

Labrador Retrievers initially were trained to retrieve fishing nets from the cold waters of the North Atlantic. In the nineteenth century Fisherman brought them to England where they were popular for their swimming, retrieving and hunting skills. The Earl of Malmesbury is believed to have coined the name Labrador in order to differentiate them from their Newfoundland ancestors. During the 1800’s, a weighty dog tax in Canada and quarantine laws in Britain drastically cut the number of Labradors in the U.K., but a good breeding program replenished the stock.