Usenet 1994 October/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicoctober1994disk1.iso/answers/dogs-faq/breeds/labradors

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From: [e-mail] (Cindy Tittle Moore)
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Subject: rec.pets.dogs:  Labrador Retrievers  Breed-FAQ
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AUTHORS

Liza Lee Miller, 18 May 1992., 9 January 1992  [[e-mail]]
Cindy Tittle Moore, 6 January 1992.            [[e-mail]]

CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT

The main characteristics of Labradors are their coat, tail, head and
temperament.  They have a double coat which means that they have a
soft, downy undercoat which keeps them dry and warm in cold water and
a hard overcoat that helps them repel water.  Their tail, described
best as an otter tail, is thick at the base and tapers to a narrower
point.  It should not be carried over the back nor should it have a
curl to it.  It should, however, be at exactly coffee table height and
always be ready to swipe them clean.  Their head is clean cut and
somewhat broad, with hanging ears.  Their expression is alert and
intelligent and conveys a kind, friendly temperament.  Their best
feature is their temperament.  Labs are loving, people oriented dogs.
They are happiest when they are with you.  Labs are retrievers and
will bring you things they find laying about your house or yard.  They
tend to be quite patient with children and wonderful family dogs.
They are not guard dogs.  They may bark protectively, but will
generally not act more aggressively.  Labs are wonderful people dogs,
more likely to lick someone to death than hurt them.

In the U.S., there are two distinct "lines" of labradors: field lines
and show lines.  Field line labradors have been bred with an emphasis
on field or hunting ability, and show line Labradors have been bred
with an emphasis on conformation and temperament.  There is some
dissension between the two groups, with field people claiming that
show lines have lost much of their hunting and retrieving abilities,
and show people claiming that field lines do not much look like
Labradors any more and lack correct temperament.  The truth is likely
somewhere in between.  Dogs from field lines will generally have a lot
of drive, will be very fast, and will exhibit high energy.  Dogs from
show lines might not be as flashy, but most are capable hunters and
pleasant companions for a day out of doors.

Labrador Retrievers are people-oriented dogs, and can become bored if
left to their own devices.  They can be destructive when bored or
frustrated.  They require attention and love as much as food and
water.  Labradors are easy to train which makes obedience work a fun
way to interact with your dog.  Labradors also require plenty of
exercise -- this is especially true since most Labs love to eat!
Ensuring they get proper exercise, training, and attention will give
you a happy, healthy Labrador.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the difference between a Labrador and a Retriever?
Retrievers are a type of dog.  They are, literally, dogs that
retrieve.  They were originally bred to retrieve game for hunters both
on land and in the water.  There are five breeds of retrievers
recognized by the AKC.  They are Labrador Retrievers, Golden
Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Flat-coated Retrievers, and
Curly-coated Retrievers.  There are other breeds of Retrievers not
currently recognized by the AKC, for example CKC's Nova Scotia Duck
Tolling Retriever.

Labradors don't shed, do they?
Actually, they do.  Labradors have what is called a double coat.  This
means that they have a soft, downy undercoat and a harder guard coat.
These two types of coat help keep the dog warm and dry while swimming
in cold waters when retrieving ducks.  Generally Labradors will shed
their coat twice a year.  This is called "blowing" their coat.  They
do not present the type of problem that an Alaskan Malamute or a
German Shepherd Dog would in terms of shedding, but they do shed their
coats.  There will be a certain amount of shedding throughout the
year, as well.

How much grooming do they need?
Labs need to be brushed on a regular basis (about once a week) to keep
them clean.  This will also help keep the shedding under control.  A
"slicker" type brush, which you can buy at any pet store, works
nicely.  Labs, like all dogs, need to have their toenails clipped
regularly.  You can get a canine nail clipper at any pet store and
your vet can demonstrate to you the best way to clip their nails.
Labs do not need to be bathed frequently.  The Labrador coat does not
need constant attention.  A true bath which includes shampooing the
coat is only necessary if the dog smells badly.  Generally, if a dog
is merely dusty or muddy, you can rinse them off or wait until they
are dry and brush the dirt out to restore them to cleanliness.
Shampooing them too often is not a good idea as shampoo tends to strip
the natural oils out of their coats.  In general, Labrador coats are
low-maintenance.

Are Labradors hyper?
As a breed, Labradors are not hyperactive.  Individual dogs can be.
With the steady increase of popularity of the breed in recent years,
more and more Labradors are being bred by people who have less regard
for temperament than established breeders.  Some people claim that
field line Labradors are hyper and show lines are mellow.  Others
claim that field line Labradors are mellow and show lines are hyper.
The best advice for finding the right Labrador for you is to use your
judgment when talking to breeders.  Ask to see their other dogs--this
should give you a good idea of the energy level you can expect from
their puppies.  Labradors with poor temperaments are often the result
of backyard breeding and will not appear in dogs from either show
lines or field lines that have been conscientiously bred.  A final
factor is that Labradors do not fully mature until at least 3 years of
age.  This means that you have a dog that is mentally a puppy (with a
puppy's energy) until this age regardless of its physical size!

Labradors are popular, aren't they?
Yes.  In 1991 and again in 1992 they were the top registered dog with
the AKC.  This mean that there are a *lot* of people out there
breeding Labradors.  You need to be *very* careful about where you get
your labrador.  Disreputable breeders are the source for hyper,
ill-behaved and ill-favored labradors.  With a bit of research and
care, you can find good puppies.  The average price for a properly
bred Labrador puppy is about 250-300 dollars, more for a show- or
field trial- quality puppy.  If you are asked to pay substantially
more or less for a puppy, be wary.

I'm confused -- which kind of Labrador will make a better hunter,
a show-line or field-line Labrador?
Most Labradors, show and field bred, make great hunters.  Your own
level of expertise in training retrievers is probably as important as
the pedigree of your dog.  You should consider what kind of hunting
you do, how much experience you have, and discuss all of this with the
breeders you consult.

Do they make good guard dogs?
Labradors are not reliable guards.  They can be protective and will
probably bark if they hear or see something they don't like --
particularly if it is near their yard.  If your main purpose in
getting a dog is to have a guard dog, a Labrador is not a good choice,
but if you want an "alarm" barker, most Labradors are fine.

How are they with children?
As a breed, Labradors tend to be good with children.  However, as with
any dog, it is not a good idea to let puppies and children play
unattended.  Both puppies and children tend to be unaware of their own
size and strength and could inadvertently injure one another.
Labradors aren't likely to intentionally hurt anyone, but could knock
a child over when they thought they were playing.  By the same
measure, children can inadvertently hurt a puppy if they aren't
supervised.

Do Labradors like to swim?
Labradors *love* to swim.  In general, they take to swimming quite
naturally.  But don't be alarmed if your little pup is unsure about
swimming the first time--they have to learn about swimming just like
anything else.  If you have an adult dog around that wants to swim,
the pup will probably follow it in happily.  You could also wade in
yourself and have the pup follow.  Be aware though that pups have
sharp nails which can be painful if they try to climb up on you in the
water.  The pup's first introduction to the water should be at a spot
where there is a gradual entry, rather than a sharp drop off and there
should be no current at all.  Another important caveat is that dogs
should not be allowed unattended access to a swimming pool.  Dogs
cannot easily pull themselves out of the pool and even strong swimmers
will tire if they can't find an easy way out of the water.

Are there golden Labs?  What is the difference between golden and
yellow Labs?
Labradors come in three colors: black, chocolate, and yellow.  Yellow
Labradors are often mistakenly called "golden Labradors."  The term
yellow refers to a range in color from nearly white to a golden to a
fox-red.  The Golden Retriever is a separate breed from the Labrador,
although there are similarities.  Sometimes the term is used informally
to refer to a Labrador / Golden Retriever mix.

Are there any other colors of Labradors?
No.  Black, chocolate, and yellow are the only correct colors.  While
mis-marked purebred Labradors are possible, be wary of those selling
"rare" Labradors of other colors at exorbitant prices.  There are
yellow labradors that are so pale they appear white, but they are
still considered "yellow" and will usually have *some* color, even if
it is only on the ear tips.

Can you get yellow Labradors from black ones?  And vice versa?
What about chocolates?
Yes, you can get yellows from blacks and blacks from yellows.
Similarly, you can get chocolates from blacks or yellows and
vice-versa.  It all depends on what color genes the parents carry.
The only absolute is that if both parents are yellow, the resulting
puppies are always yellow, never black or chocolate.

Do they jump fences?  What kind of escape artists are they?
They are not renowned for this as a breed, although individual
Labradors can be clever at escaping.  Some can be good at opening
doors and latches.  A six-foot fence properly grounded will keep a
Labrador from jumping, although many Labradors will never jump a
four-foot fence perimeter.  Because they can chew a lot, take care
that your enclosure cannot be chewed through.  They can also make
excellent climbers, so check for possible footholds the dog could use
to haul himself up (for example, check if a doghouse provides a
platform from which to jump a fence).

Do they bark a lot?
Bored Labradors can, but excessive barking is not generally typical of
the breed.  Labradors often give a warning bark in response to an
unusual event that they feel needs your attention, such as "Hey, a car
pulled into the driveway!"

Will a male or female Labrador make a better pet?
Both sexes make good pets.  In general, male Labradors are more
dependent and females are somewhat independent.  An example is this:
if you are at home working on your computer, your male Labrador will
probably sleep right under your feet while your female will probably
sleep in the other room and just come in and check on you
periodically.

Where should I get my dog?
There are two options here.  You could get a puppy or an adult dog.
If you choose to get an adult dog, you could get one from the pound,
from a Labrador Rescue organization, or from a breeder who is looking
for a home for an adult Labrador.  There is more about Rescue
organizations at the end of this file.  If you decide to get a puppy,
you should do some research and find a breeder you trust.

How do I choose a puppy?
You need to do some homework before you start talking to breeders and
certainly before you look at any puppies.  You need to make some
decisions about what sex and color you'd like.  What you plan to do
with the dog.  What temperament you'd like.  Once you have some
answers to those questions, you should discuss your concerns and ideas
with breeders.  After you have found a breeder you like, then allow
the breeder to help you select your puppy.  Most breeders have a
pretty good idea of what the puppies personalities are like and will
guide you to make a good choice.

What health problems are Labradors prone to?
Hip dysplasia can be a problem, so be sure to look for breeders
that certify their dogs through OFA.  Labradors are prone to skin
allergies in some regions of the US, notably Southern California.
Ear infections are always a potential problem with hanging ears.
You can minimize the potential for health problems by choosing
the breeder of your puppy carefully.


HISTORY

The Labrador is a native of Newfoundland, although not of Labrador
itself.  It is actually from the St. John area where St. Johns water
dogs flourished for decades.  The Labrador Retriever, Newfoundland,
and Chesapeake Bay Retriever all share common ancestry with the St.
Johns dog.  The double coat of a Labrador is short and oily, which is
perfect for shedding icy water.  These dogs originally helped haul
fish nets toward the shore, retrieve dropped objects and even rounded
up stray cod which tried to escape on the beach.

In the 1820s, the English sporting gentry were quick to see the
potential of the Labrador as a gun dog.  Dogs brought over from
Newfoundland were probably bred into existing retriever lines,
developing the dog into the Labrador we know today.  It is unknown
when the breed was named "Labrador Retriever," but it was some time
after the breed arrived in England.

Labradors were imported to the United States during World War I.  At
this point, the AKC still classified them as "Retrievers;" it was not
until the late 1920's that the retrievers were split up into the
breeds we know today.

DESCRIPTION


AKC Breed Standard (condensed):

General Appearance: The general appearance of the Labrador should be
that of a strongly built, short-coupled, very active dog.  He should
be fairly wide over the loins, and strong and muscular in the
hindquarters.  The coat should be close, short, dense and free from
feather.

Head: The skull should be wide, giving brain room; there should be a
slight stop, i.e., the brow should be slightly pronounced, so that the
skull is not absolutely in a straight line with the nose.  The head
should be clean-cut and free from fleshy cheeks.  The jaws should be
long and powerful and free from snipiness; the nose should be wide and
the nostrils well developed.  Teeth should be strong and regular, with
a level mouth.  The ears should hang moderately close to the head,
rather far back; should be set somewhat low and not be large and
heavy.  The eyes should be of medium size, expressing great
intelligence and good temper, and can be brown, yellow or black, but
brown or black is preferred.

Neck and Chest: The neck should be medium length, powerful and not
throaty.  The shoulders should be long and sloping.  The chest must be
of good width and depth, the ribs well sprung, and the loins wide and
strong, stifles well turned, and the hindquarters well developed and
of great power.

Legs and Feet: The legs must be straight from the shoulder to ground,
and the feet compact with toes well arched, and pads well developed;
the hocks should be well bent, and the dog must neither be cowhocked
nor be too wide behind; in fact, he must stand and move true all round
on legs and feet.  Legs should be of medium length, showing good bone
and muscle, but not so short as to be out of balance with rest of
body.  In fact, a dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one
with outstanding good qualities and defects.

Tail: The tail is a distinctive feature of the breed; it should be
very thick towards the base, gradually tapering towards the tip, of
medium length, should be free from any feathering, and should be
clothed thickly all round with the Labrador's short, thick, dense
coat, thus giving the peculiar "rounded" appearance which has been
described as the "otter" tail.  The tail may be carried gaily but
should not curl over the back.

Coat: The coat is another very distinctive feature; it should be
short, very dense and without wave, and should give a fairly hard
feeling to the hand.

Color: The colors are black, yellow or chocolate and are evaluated as
follows:

(a) Blacks: All black, with a small white spot on chest permissible.
Eyes to be of medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper,
preferably brown or hazel, although black or yellow is permissible.

(b) Yellows: Yellows may vary in color from fox-red to light cream
with variations in the shading of the coat on ears, the underparts of
the dog, or beneath the tail.  A small white spot on chest is
permissible.  Eye coloring and expression should be the same as that of
the blacks, with black or dark brown eye rims.  The nose should also
be black or dark brown, although "fading" to pink in winter is not
serious.  A "Dudley" nose (pink without pigmentation) should be
penalized.

(c) Chocolates: Shades ranging from light sedge to chocolate.  A small
white spot on chest is permissible.  Eyes to be light brown to clear
yellow.  Nose and eye-rim pigmentation dark brown or liver colored.
"Fading" to pink in winter weather not serious.  "Dudley" nose should
be penalized.

Movement: Movement should be free and effortless.  The forelegs should
be strong and true, and correctly placed.  Watching a dog move towards
one, there should be no signs of elbows being out in front, but neatly
held to the body with legs not too close together, and moving straight
forward without pacing or weaving.  Upon viewing the dog from the
rear, one should get the impression that the hind legs, which should be
well muscled and not cowhocked, move as nearly parallel as possible,
with hocks doing their full share of work and flexing well, thus
giving the appearance of power and strength.

Approximate Weights of Dogs and Bitches in Working Condition: Dogs --
60 to 75 pounds; bitches -- 55 to 70 pounds.

Height at Shoulders: Dogs -- 22-1/2 inches to 24-1/2 inches; bitches
- -- 21-1/2 inches to 23-1/2 inches.

RECOGNIZED

American Kennel Club
Australian National Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
FCI
Kennel Club of Great Britain
United Kennel Club
(this list is incomplete)

SPECIAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS

Labradors are susceptible to hip dysplasia as well as other joint
problems.  All breeding stock should be x-rayed and certified clear of
hip dysplasia by the OFA (Orthopedica Foundation for Animals).

Labradors are also at risk for several eye problems including:  PRA
(Progressive Retinal Atrophy), cataracts, and retinal dysplasia.  All
breeding stock should be examined annually by a board certified
veterinary ophthalmologist.

Other issues to discuss with breeders are epilepsy and other joint
problems (elbows and shoulders).


REFERENCES

1.  Books

Nicholas, Anna Katherine.  _The Book of the Labrador Retriever_. TFH
Publications, Inc., Ltd., 1983, 478 p.

Martin, Nancy.  _Legends in Labradors_. Spring House, PA, 1980, 211 p.

Howe, Lorna.  _The Popular Labrador Retriever_.  Popular Dogs
Publishing Co., Ltd., 1959, 135 p.

Williams, Mary Roslin.  _Advanced Labrador Breeding_. H.F. & G.
Witherby, Ltd., 1988, 151 p.

Howe, Lorna and Geoffrey Waring.  _The Labrador Retriever_.  Popular
Dogs Publishing Co., Ltd., 1975, 207 p. (this is a revised version of
the above title by Countess Howe).

Beck, Elizabeth.  _Train Your Own Labrador_.  Country Life Limited,
1965, 88 p.

Howe, Dorothy.  _The Labrador Retriever_.  T.F.H. Publications, Inc.,
Ltd., 1984, 352 p.  With additional chapters by Anna Katherine Nicholas.

Warwick, Helen.  _The New Complete Labrador Retriever_, 3rd Edition.
Howell Book House, Inc., 1989, 322 p.

Curtis, Bette Kaleel.  _Life With Labradors_.  Hoflin Publishing, Ltd.,
1989, 149 p.

Berndt, Robert J. and Richard L. Myers.  _The Labrador Retriever_.
William W. Denlinger, 1983, 127 p.

Wolters, Richard A.  _The Labrador Retriever: The history . . . the
people_.  Petersen Prints, 1981, 200 p.  (New edition, 1992.)

2.  Periodicals

The Labrador Quarterly, 4401 Zephyr Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-2499.

3.  Breed Rescue Organizations

Since Labradors are currently the #1 dog in the U.S. (surpassing
Cocker Spaniels in AKC registrations for the first time in 1991),
there is a extra special need for supporting breed rescue.  Older
Labradors are often available from a variety of situations.  Most are
well-cared for dogs that simply need a new home.  If you are
interested in rescuing an older dog, please contact your local
Labrador Retriever Club and ask about their rescue program.

4.  Breeders

Disclaimer: These breeders have been recommended in good faith by
readers of rec.pets.dogs.  However, you are still responsible for
verifying that a particular breeder meets your needs to your
satisfaction.

Vicki Blodgett
Delby Labradors
650 Glen Canyon Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
[e-mail]

Gladys Rogers
Snowden Hill Kennels
3094 Snowden Hill Rd.
Sauquoit, New York 13456
315-737-9486

Laura Toms
Moraine Labradors
Dublin, Ohio
[e-mail]

5.  Breed Clubs

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with any inquiry.

Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
Mr. Christopher G. Wincek, Secretary
9690 Wilson Mills Road, Chardon, OH 44024

Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club
415-592-8394

Labrador Retriever Club of Southern California
Kathy Judd, Secretary
2568 Damien Avenue, La Verne, CA  91750

San Joaquin Valley Labrador Retriever Club
Marsha Campbell, Secretary
142 Helen Avenue, Modesto, CA  95354

Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Denver
Cheri Schlaack, Secretary
7348 Gore Range Road, Littleton, CO 80127

Labrador Retriever Club of the Pioneer Valley
Karen C. Davis, Secretary
770 Taintor Street, Suffield, CT 06078

Labrador Retriever Club of Central Connecticut
Carolyn B. Allen, Secretary
504 Goose Lane, Guilford, CT  06437

Labrador Retriever Club of Southern Connecticut
Kim Cassedy, Secretary
2540 Redding Road, Fairfield, CT  06430

Labrador Retriever Club of Hawaii
Marie Tanner, Secretary
96-138 Kuahelani Ave, #120, Mililani, HI 96789

Winnebago Labrador Retriever Club
Barbara Holl, Secretary
1291 Joliet Street, Dyer, IN  46311

Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston
Leslie Forkner, Secretary
21 Hale Road, Stow, MA  01775

Huron River Labrador Retriever Club
Jan Stolarevsky, Secretary
19919 Bartell Road, Gregory, MI  48137

Labrador Retriever Club of the Twin Cities
Linda Weikert, Secretary
Rural Route 1, Box 221, Wanamingo, MN  55983

Mid-Jersey Labrador Retriever Club
Dorothy E. Black, Secretary
27 Sunset Drive, High Bridge, NJ  08829

Labrador Retriever Club of Albuquerque
Juxi Burr, Secretary
4401 Yale NE, Albuquerque, NM  87107

Labrador Retriever Club of the Piedmont
Rita M. Powell, Secretary
320 Beechwood Drive, Greer, SC  29651

Raleigh-Durham Labrador Retriever Club
Robbie Haskins, Secretary
2828 Industrial Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609

Miami Valley Labrador Retriever Club
Hendrika C. Case, Secretary
4495 Wallace Road, Oxford, OH 45056

Rose City Labrador Retriever Club
Donald Downen, Secretary
955 Edina Lane,
NE Salem, OR  97301

Dallas-Ft. Worth Labrador Retriever Club
Terry Ivy, Secretary
2701 Landershire Lane
Plano, TX  75023

Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomoc
Dorathea George, Secretary
1140 Hillendale Way, Prince Frederick, MD  20678

Puget Sound Labrador Retriever Association
Barbara Ironside, Secretary
4117--143rd Avenue SE, Snohomish, WA  98290

Bryan-College Station Retriever Club
Chris Barnes, President
3505 Hillcrest Cr.
Bryan, TX  77802