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Labrador Retriever History
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The Labrador Retriever’s name is something of a misnomer, as the dog comes not from Labrador but from Newfoundland. There, during the 19th century, small water dogs were bred with Newfoundlands. The resulting dog, then called the St. John’s Water Dog or the St. John’s Newfoundland, was the forerunner for what is today called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs were black and short-haired, with an exceptional skill for retrieving game and fish as well as performing other tasks involving swimming in icy waters.
A heavy dog tax and quarantine law eventually caused the Labrador Retriever to die out in Newfoundland. But fortunately, the breed had already been brought to England during the early 19th century, where it continued to thrive and gain popularity. In the early 20th century, the standard of the breed was expanded to allow for yellow and chocolate Labs in addition to the original black Labrador. The Labrador Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917. Today, the breed stands out for its immense popularity as well as its ubiquitous practical uses. Labrador Retriever pedigrees date back to 1878, and the Lab is currently the most popular breed of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Labrador Retrievers are also highly adaptable to tracking, retrieving, hunting, watch dog work, police work, guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, narcotics work, sledding and competitive obedience.
