Labrador Retrievers

The Labrador Retriever, strongly built dog of medium size with a short-haired coat that is usually but not always black, is not a native of Labrador at all but of Neufoundland. Moreover, though a product of North America, it was through English sportsmen that he gained his first eminence. In the United States his appearance in real numbers was delayed until the late 1920s and early 1930s.

The breed now is highly favored here in duck hunting and field trials and his handsome appearance makes him a striking bench-show campaigner as well. Indeed, a working certificate, indicating proficiency in the field, is required in England before a Labrador can become a bench show champion.

You can read about "Golden Retriever" here 

The rule does not hold in the United States, but some dogs nevertheless have been dual champions—champions both in the field and on the bench.

The dog has a wonderful nose, great endurance and an ability to withstand extreme cold in the water that is common to the Retriever breeds. He is an expert on upland game, too.

When brought to this country, he didn’t take long to cut a place for himself among the Retrievers then predominating, the Chesapeakes and a scattering of the Curly-Coated variety.

While there is a chance the breed was known in England at an earlier date, the first record of their entry is about 1833. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the earliest to get specimens. He saw one on a fishing boat and arranged to import some. Thereafter there were many importations and considerable interbreeding with other Retriever breeds, but the Earl had kept his dogs pure and the Labrador survived. The English Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1903. 

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