About the Labrador Retriever :
The gentle Labrador Retriever still continues to be the number one breed according to AKC statistics. The Labrador Retriever is intelligent, family-friendly and is known to be a very versatile hunting dog. They come in black, chocolate and yellow.
Labrador Retrievers, originally came from Newfoundland and were initially used by fisherman. They were able to help the fisherman pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines. They were bred primarily to perform as an efficient retriever of game, with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of activities beyond hunting.
Breed standard of the Labrador Retriever:
General Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled,
dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables
it 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. Physical features and mental characteristics should
denote a dog bred to perform as an efficient Retriever of game with a stable
temperament suitable for a variety of pursuits beyond the hunting environment.
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament.
Above all, a Labrador Retriever must be well balanced, enabling it to move in the show ring or work in the field with little or no effort. The typical Labrador possesses style and quality without over refinement, and substance without lumber or cloddiness. The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Size--The height at the withers for a dog is 22½ to 24½
inches; for a bitch is 21½ to 23½ inches. Any variance greater
than ½ inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate
weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches
55 to 70 pounds.
The minimum height ranges set forth in the paragraph above shall not apply to dogs or bitches under twelve months of age.
Proportion--Short-coupled; length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rump is equal to or slightly longer than the distance from the withers to the ground. Distance from the elbow to the ground should be equal to one half of the height at the withers. The brisket should extend to the elbows, but not perceptibly deeper. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight, free and efficient stride; but the dog should never appear low and long or tall and leggy in outline. Substance--Substance and bone proportionate to the overall dog. Light, "weedy" individuals are definitely incorrect; equally objectionable are cloddy lumbering specimens. Labrador Retrievers shall be shown in working condition well-muscled and without excess fat.
Head
Skull--The skull should be wide; well developed but without exaggeration.
The skull and foreface should be on parallel planes and of approximately equal
length. There should be a moderate stop--the brow slightly pronounced so that
the skull is not absolutely in a straight line with the nose. The brow ridges
aid in defining the stop. The head should be clean-cut and free from fleshy
cheeks; the bony structure of the skull chiseled beneath the eye with no prominence
in the cheek. The skull may show some median line; the occipital bone is not
conspicuous in mature dogs. Lips should not be squared off or pendulous, but
fall away in a curve toward the throat. A wedge-shape head, or a head long and
narrow in muzzle and back skull is incorrect as are massive, cheeky heads. The
jaws are powerful and free from snippiness-- the muzzle neither long and narrow
nor short and stubby. Nose-- The nose should be wide and the nostrils
well-developed. The nose should be black on black or yellow dogs, and brown
on chocolates. Nose color fading to a lighter shade is not a fault. A thoroughly
pink nose or one lacking in any pigment is a disqualification. Teeth--The
teeth should be strong and regular with a scissors bite; the lower teeth just
behind, but touching the inner side of the upper incisors. A level bite is acceptable,
but not desirable. Undershot, overshot, or misaligned teeth are serious faults.
Full dentition is preferred. Missing molars or pre-molars are serious faults.
Ears--The ears should hang moderately close to the head, set rather far
back, and somewhat low on the skull; slightly above eye level. Ears should not
be large and heavy, but in proportion with the skull and reach to the inside
of the eye when pulled forward. Eyes--Kind, friendly eyes imparting good
temperament, intelligence and alertness are a hallmark of the breed. They should
be of medium size, set well apart, and neither protruding nor deep set. Eye
color should be brown in black and yellow Labradors, and brown or hazel in chocolates.
Black, or yellow eyes give a harsh expression and are undesirable. Small eyes,
set close together or round prominent eyes are not typical of the breed. Eye
rims are black in black and yellow Labradors; and brown in chocolates. Eye rims
without pigmentation is a disqualification.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck--The neck should be of proper length to allow the dog to retrieve
game easily. It should be muscular and free from throatiness. The neck should
rise strongly from the shoulders with a moderate arch. A short, thick neck or
a "ewe" neck is incorrect. Topline--The back is strong and
the topline is level from the withers to the croup when standing or moving.
However, the loin should show evidence of flexibility for athletic endeavor.
Body--The Labrador should be short-coupled, with good spring of ribs
tapering to a moderately wide chest. The Labrador should not be narrow chested;
giving the appearance of hollowness between the front legs, nor should it have
a wide spreading, bulldog-like front. Correct chest conformation will result
in tapering between the front legs that allows unrestricted forelimb movement.
Chest breadth that is either too wide or too narrow for efficient movement and
stamina is incorrect. Slab-sided individuals are not typical of the breed; equally
objectionable are rotund or barrel chested specimens. The underline is almost
straight, with little or no tuck-up in mature animals. Loins should be short,
wide and strong; extending to well developed, powerful hindquarters. When viewed
from the side, the Labrador Retriever shows a well-developed, but not exaggerated
forechest. Tail--The tail is a distinguishing feature of the breed. It
should be very thick at the base, gradually tapering toward the tip, of medium
length, and extending no longer than to the hock. The tail should be free from
feathering and clothed thickly all around with the Labrador's short, dense coat,
thus having that peculiar rounded appearance that has been described as the
"otter" tail. The tail should follow the topline in repose or when
in motion. It may be carried gaily, but should not curl over the back. Extremely
short tails or long thin tails are serious faults. The tail completes the balance
of the Labrador by giving it a flowing line from the top of the head to the
tip of the tail. Docking or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage
of the tail is a disqualification.
Forequarters
Forequarters should be muscular, well coordinated and balanced with the hindquarters.
Shoulders--The shoulders are well laid-back, long and sloping, forming
an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees that permits the dog
to move his forelegs in an easy manner with strong forward reach. Ideally, the
length of the shoulder blade should equal the length of the upper arm. Straight
shoulder blades, short upper arms or heavily muscled or loaded shoulders, all
restricting free movement, are incorrect. Front Legs--When viewed from
the front, the legs should be straight with good strong bone. Too much bone
is as undesirable as too little bone, and short legged, heavy boned individuals
are not typical of the breed. Viewed from the side, the elbows should be directly
under the withers, and the front legs should be perpendicular to the ground
and well under the body. The elbows should be close to the ribs without looseness.
Tied-in elbows or being "out at the elbows" interfere with free movement
and are serious faults. Pasterns should be strong and short and should slope
slightly from the perpendicular line of the leg. Feet are strong and compact,
with well-arched toes and well-developed pads. Dew claws may be removed. Splayed
feet, hare feet, knuckling over, or feet turning in or out are serious faults.
Hindquarters
The Labrador's hindquarters are broad, muscular and well-developed from the
hip to the hock with well-turned stifles and strong short hocks. Viewed from
the rear, the hind legs are straight and parallel. Viewed from the side, the
angulation of the rear legs is in balance with the front. The hind legs are
strongly boned, muscled with moderate angulation at the stifle, and powerful,
clearly defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there is no slippage of the
patellae while in motion or when standing. The hock joints are strong, well
let down and do not slip or hyper-extend while in motion or when standing. Angulation
of both stifle and hock joint is such as to achieve the optimal balance of drive
and traction. When standing the rear toes are only slightly behind the point
of the rump. Over angulation produces a sloping topline not typical of the breed.
Feet are strong and compact, with well-arched toes and well-developed pads.
Cow-hocks, spread hocks, sickle hocks and over-angulation are serious structural
defects and are to be faulted.
Coat
The coat is a distinctive feature of the Labrador Retriever. It should be short,
straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The Labrador
should have a soft, weather-resistant undercoat that provides protection from
water, cold and all types of ground cover. A slight wave down the back is permissible.
Woolly coats, soft silky coats, and sparse slick coats are not typical of the
breed, and should be severely penalized.
Color
The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other
color or a combination of colors is a disqualification. A small white spot on
the chest is permissible, but not desirable. White hairs from aging or scarring
are not to be misinterpreted as brindling. Black--Blacks are all black.
A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification.
Yellow--Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with
variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog. Chocolate--Chocolates
can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Chocolate with brindle or tan
markings is a disqualification.
Movement
Movement of the Labrador Retriever should be free and effortless. When watching
a dog move toward oneself, there should be no sign of elbows out. Rather, the
elbows should be held neatly to the body with the legs not too close together.
Moving straight forward without pacing or weaving, the legs should form straight
lines, with all parts moving in the same plane. Upon viewing the dog from the
rear, one should have the impression that the hind legs move as nearly as possible
in a parallel line with the front legs. The hocks should do their full share
of the work, flexing well, giving the appearance of power and strength. When
viewed from the side, the shoulders should move freely and effortlessly, and
the foreleg should reach forward close to the ground with extension. A short,
choppy movement or high knee action indicates a straight shoulder; paddling
indicates long, weak pasterns; and a short, stilted rear gait indicates a straight
rear assembly; all are serious faults. Movement faults interfering with performance
including weaving; side-winding; crossing over; high knee action; paddling;
and short, choppy movement, should be severely penalized.
Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the
"otter" tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing,
tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal.
The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence
and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other
animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized.
Disqualifications
- Any deviation from the height prescribed in the Standard.
- A thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any pigment.
- Eye rims without pigment.
- Docking or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage of the tail.
- Any other color or a combination of colors other than black, yellow or chocolate as described in the Standard.
Approved February 12, 1994
Effective March 31, 1994
Taken from the AKC website: http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/breed_standard.cfm
