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1 Labrador Retriever History

Origins of the Labrador Retriever

The beginning of humankind’s association with canines is not clearly known, but most historians agree that cubs of wild canines—probably wolves—were captured or befriended, socialized, and bred to produce tamer offspring. Individuals with desirable traits and abilities were mated and, as centuries stretched into millennia, many varied breeds of dogs came into being. Each breed was developed for a certain purpose. The Labrador Retriever was developed for retrieving in water.

The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada before 1800, not in Labrador, as the name implies, but along the east and southeast coast of Newfoundland. First known as St. John’s water dogs, Labs were related to the larger, long-haired Newfoundland dogs. The St. John’s water dogs were smaller, but very hardy and extremely strong swimmers. They were originally used by fishermen to retrieve codfish that managed to shake off the hook while being pulled to the surface. The dogs also helped haul ashore heavy, water-soaked nets. The advantage of the smooth coat of the St. John’s dogs over the Newfies’ shaggy fur was that ice did not form on the short, water-repellent hair and weigh the dog down. Black was by far the most common color for these dogs, yellow was uncommon, chocolate rare.

By the end of the 1700s St. John’s water dogs were shipped to England, where they met with great favor as gundogs. Fanciers began breeding the dogs, and by 1850 they were well established in England. There is no record of who first started calling these dogs Labrador Retrievers, but the name began in England in the mid-1800s.

Note: Because Labs are such good buddies, I have given the name “Buddy” to the “universal Lab” in this book. Though a buddy could be either male or female, this Buddy happens to be a male, so in this book masculine pronouns are used when referring to the dogs (except when pertaining specifically to female Labs).

The Labrador Retriever was developed for water work.

When the Kennel Club of England was formed in 1878, all retrievers were registered simply as “retrievers.” The Labrador Retriever was classified as a separate breed in 1904. English-bred Labradors arrived back in Newfoundland about that time and a Labrador Retriever club was formed there. An English import Lab won Best in Show at the first allbreed Newfoundland Kennel Club show.

Labs became popular hunting retrievers and family companions on both sides of the Atlantic and developed a reputation for hardiness, scenting ability, good temper, love of water, and careful retrieves. England’s royal family began breeding Labs at their Wolferton and Sandringham kennels in the early 1900s, and continue today. Labs are used in England as police dogs and guide dogs, as well as for hunting and companionship.

Uses

Scent Work

On this side of the Atlantic we see more German Shepherds and Rottweilers than Labradors in police patrol work, but Labs are often selected for jobs requiring scent work. Customs Service officers often use this breed to detect illegal drugs and other contraband at border crossings, seaports, and airports. Some of these dogs are donated; others are adopted from shelters. Good candidates are energetic, self-confident, and especially avid game players, because Customs dogs are rewarded for finds with a rousing game of fetch or tug, for which Labradors can be perfect.

Labs are popular as hunting dogs.

Suspicious vehicles crossing the Mexican or Canadian border into the United States may be scent-searched by a four-legged officer. Customs dogs routinely sniff at vehicle bumpers, tires, and tailpipes—favorite hiding places for contraband. Baggage at airports gets similar treatment. A dog runs along the conveyer, jumps onto each suitcase, and sniffs the slight puff of air that comes out.

A trained Lab can detect marijuana or hashish from yards away and find drugs or explosives hidden inside thick, doublewalled containers. Smugglers sometimes pack fragrant materials, such as coffee or mothballs, in with drug shipments to confuse Customs dogs, but this ploy seldom works. No matter how well a smuggler thinks he or she has concealed the contraband, a Lab trained to sniff out the substance can find it.

Tracking

Another notable Labrador talent is tracking and finding lost people. Search and Rescue (SAR) trainers often choose Labs for their excellent scenting ability and their outgoing, people-friendly nature. A good SAR dog really likes people and puts his all into tracking them. If a dog does not really care much for people, he may not be sufficiently motivated to follow a difficult trail to find and rescue some stranger. An SAR dog is trained with encouragement and rewards, which help build a strong partnership with the handler and enhance the dog’s friendship and trust for people.

Assistance Dogs

Many working Labs are employed in the assistance dog field, especially as guide and service dogs. Pups are usually raised by volunteers who socialize them around people and animals in different settings and start their basic obedience training. When pups are grown they go to assistance dog school, where they are given specific training by professionals. At the end of training, each dog is teamed up with a person with a disability. The dog and his human partner then train together to develop a working relationship. A person with a disability partnered with a well-educated assistance Lab finds greater freedom with the dog’s eager help. For more on careers for Labs, see pages 128-131.

A working Assistance Dog.

Companionship

This breed remains popular with hunters, happily retrieving downed waterfowl from icy ponds and rivers, but hunting is, at most, only a seasonal occupation and most Labs find their life’s work as family companions. This is a task for which the Lab’s friendly, playful nature is ideally suited, as proven by their perennial popularity. The Labrador Retriever consistently rates in the top ten breeds registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and is, at the time of this writing, the most popular dog in the United States.

Lab Body and Mind

The official AKC Standard for the Labrador Retriever describes “a strongly built, medium-size, short-coupled dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables him to function as a retrieving gun dog, the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions, the character and quality to win in the show ring and the temperament to be a family companion.” With those qualities bred in for 300 years or so, it’s no wonder the Lab’s popularity endures.

The Labrador Retriever is strongbodied and strong-willed. Whatever a Lab sets his mind to do—or not do—will receive his full energy. This can be beneficial when working with a Lab, or it can be frustrating. The Lab’s energy must be properly channeled or it can easily get out of control.

From the beginning the Labrador was bred to work. With characteristic strength, energy, and enthusiasm, work is play to a Lab, but not just a frivolous game. Labs play and work with the body/mind concentration of professional athletes. They like to test their strength and will push themselves hard. This is important to remember when training, because a Lab may test himself by testing his handler’s determination.

Develop a good rapport with Buddy and teach him the basics as a pup. Stay a step ahead of his tests by giving tests of your own—practice obedience commands in real-life situations. Teach Buddy how to win by pleasing you. The earlier your puppy is introduced to the exhilaration of success in training, the more readily he will cooperate with you.

Labs are normally happy and optimistic, always ready to play or make a friend. A Lab with correct temperament can be a good watchdog, barking an alarm when visitors approach, but he should not be aggressive toward people or animals. The Lab is well known for a gentle mouth and great patience, and reputable breeders are careful to maintain those traits in their lines.

Unfortunately, the Lab’s consistent popularity has attracted some ignorant and unscrupulous people who breed dogs solely for profit, causing a decline in both working ability and temperament. Buyers seeking sound Labs with correct temperament as family pets, workers, or hunting companions are advised to acquire the dogs from reputable, experienced breeders.

A Lab Needs a Job

Labs are intelligent and full of energy. If nothing harnesses those traits in a positive way, Buddy will start thinking up things to do for exercise and amusement. Unemployed Labs become absorbed in such hobbies as barking, digging, bicycle chasing, fence fighting, and out-of-season hunting. Once these behaviors become habits, they can be difficult to stop; therefore, it’s better to prevent the problem by giving Buddy something constructive to do with his time and energy.

Obedience training is a good entrylevel job for a Lab; it teaches a dog to control his impulses and cooperate with his handler. Obedience training lays the foundation for all other work by establishing a vocabulary of commands. Start training when Buddy is very young, using reward-based methods, and engage him in a partnership rather than a contest of wills.

Labs make excellent family companions.

Hunting

A traditional job for a Lab is hunting retriever. This breed shines at this work, and most take to retrieving game birds as if remembering how, rather than learning something new. Commands must be learned by voice, hand, and whistle. Complicated and multiple retrieves must be practiced; skills must be refined. A good rapport between dog and handler must be built and nurtured.

Hunting seasons often last only a few weeks, but hunting dogs are athletes and must have activity to keep them occupied and fit the rest of the year. Training for Field Trial, Obedience, Tracking, or Agility competition is a great off-season way to keep Buddy active and fit year-round.

Labs can succeed at many different jobs.

Since many Lab owners are not hunters, less traditional jobs must be found for the dogs. Training for competition is enjoyable for some dog/handler teams, whereas others enjoy games and sports. There are numerous activities to enjoy with a breed as versatile as the Lab.

If you want to practice teamwork and help people at the same time, you and your Lab might enjoy pet-assisted therapy volunteer work. Therapy dogs visit hospitals and nursing facilities, bringing comfort and joy to shut-ins. Dogs must be healthy, gentle, friendly, steady, well mannered, and well groomed for this work. Basic obedience training and thorough socialization are essential to prepare for this rewarding occupation.

There are also everyday jobs around the home that any Lab can be trained to do. Fetching various items on command is a task many dogs enjoy. Start by teaching Buddy to retrieve his toys, then progress to other items. Dogs especially like to fetch things that make their day more fun, such as leashes, car keys, and walking shoes.

Finding a job for your Lab should not be difficult; simply choose an activity that appeals to you both and get busy. Labs have always worked for a living. It’s a matter of pride.