b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 1 1 What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever? What is a Labrador Retriever? • Are there differences between hunting Labs and show Labs? • Can I get a mini-Lab? • What color Lab should I get? • How long do Labs live? • How long do Labs stay puppies? • Where do Labs come from? • Are modern Labs very different from early Labs? • How has the Lab’s working background influenced his temperament? • What are Labs used for today? • Are Labs a popular breed? • What type of personality does a Lab have? • What are 10 good reasons to get a Lab? • What are 10 good reasons not to get a Lab? • What type of person makes a good Lab owner? • What does a Lab need? 1 b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 2 2 What About Labrador Retrievers? What is a Labrador Retriever? The Labrador Retriever is a medium-size (weight 55 to 80 pounds, height 1 1 21 ⁄2 to 24 ⁄2 inches) dog characterized by a dense, water-resistant coat, a thick otter tail and a clean-cut, broad head with a friendly facial expres- sion. A sporting breed, Labrador Retrievers are active, athletic dogs who need regular exercise for optimal mental and physical health. These people-oriented dogs also require substantial amounts of human compan- ionship. Labs may be black, yellow or chocolate brown. Labs have easy- care coats but do shed seasonally. Labs have webbed feet for swimming. What is an otter tail? An otter tail is thick at the base (where it connects to the body) and grad- ually tapers to the tip. The otter tail—one of the distinctive features of the Labrador Retriever—is described in great detail in the breed standard (the official description of the ideal Lab). It can also be a source of great con- sternation to Lab owners, as an exuberantly wagged otter tail can clear a coffee table in a matter of seconds. What is a retriever? A retriever is a dog who brings back game birds that a hunter has killed. The job is more complicated than it sounds. Let’s take a look at what Tucker, a five-year-old Lab, has to do when he hunts with Dale, his owner. First, Tucker watches as Dale shoots so he can see where the bird falls. Next, he waits until Dale tells him to retrieve the bird. Tucker then has to find the bird, which may involve navigating through rough terrain or water. If Tucker saw the bird fall, he probably won’t have much diffi- culty finding it. If he didn’t see the bird fall—or for some other reason cannot find it—he’ll have to rely on signals from Dale to locate the bird. Tucker must then bring the bird back without damaging it. The soft mouth of a retriever (his ability—and propensity—to carry something in his mouth without mangling it) is an important quality for his success as a hunter. Tucker must surrender the bird to Dale upon command. The Lab is just one type of retriever. The American Kennel Club (AKC) also recognizes five other retriever breeds: Flat-Coated Retrievers, b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 3 What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever? 3 Curly-Coated Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Scotia Duck-Tolling Retrievers. Most of the spaniels also retrieve game, as do Standard Poodles. Worldwide, there are many other retriever breeds that are not recognized by the AKC. Are there differences between hunting Labs and show Labs? Yes. Although all Labs share a hunting heritage, not every modern-day Lab is a hunter. In fact, hunting and show Labs differ not only in hunt- ing ability but also in physical traits and temperament. What are the characteristics of hunting Labs? Function—that is, the ability to hunt—is of foremost importance to the breeder of field Labs. The dog’s appearance is secondary to his hunting ability. Hunting Labs don’t always conform physically to the Labrador Retriever breed standard. Labs bred to hunt often have the following characteristics: • Long legs, in proportion to their body size • Lean, athletic build • Narrower skull than that of the typical show Lab • Intense desire to hunt and retrieve (often referred to as birdiness) • High energy The temperament of the hunter is an important quality. The hunting Lab must be able to get along well with others. He must be willing to work with a human partner, and he must be comfortable working in the company of other dogs. What are the characteristics of show Labs? In order to compete successfully in conformation dog shows, show Labs must typify as closely as possible the Labrador Retriever breed standard. Thus, breeders of show Labs emphasize physical correctness over hunting b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 4 4 What About Labrador Retrievers? ability. As with hunting Labs, temperament is still of the utmost importance. Compared to hunting Labs, the typical show Lab generally has the fol- lowing characteristics: • Shorter legs • Heavier bone structure • Broader head • Less interest in hunting or retrieving • Less ability to handle the mental and physical stresses of hunting • A more easygoing, laid-back personality Will this matter to me when I go looking for a pet Lab? It might. You’ll need to consider both the physical and temperamental differences in the two types of Labs. If you know that you’re not ever going to hunt with or show your Lab, it won’t matter which type of dog you get, but you’ll still need to decide which personality traits you prefer. How will I know what the Lab I’m consider- ing has been bred to do? You probably won’t, if you get your Lab from a backyard breeder or the pet store. However, a responsible breeder will be able to tell you exactly what her Labs have been bred to do—and provide you with a list of accomplishments for the puppy’s relatives for several generations back too. The breeder will also be able to tell you if the sire (father) and dam (mother) have any unique talents and abilities (such as assistance dog or search and rescue experience). Can I get a mini-Lab? Yes and no. There is no such animal as a Miniature Labrador, like a Miniature Poodle. According to the Labrador Retriever breed standard, 1 1 male Labs are supposed to be 22 ⁄2 to 24 ⁄2 inches in height (at the shoul- der) and weigh 65 to 80 pounds. Females are expected to be a bit smaller, 1 1 ranging in height from 21 ⁄2 to 23 ⁄2 inches and weighing 55 to 70 pounds. b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 5 What Kind of Dog Is a Labrador Retriever? 5 Not every Lab perfectly matches the ideal. Some rather petite (for a Lab) females may be only about 20 inches tall and weigh 45 pounds. A very large male may be 26 inches tall and weigh close to 100 pounds. So it’s definitely possible to find a Lab who’s on the small (or the large) side. What color Lab should I get? A Lab’s color doesn’t affect his suitability as a companion, so the choice is simply one of taste. Black has always been the most common color. Yel- lows and chocolates were found in early Labs, but apparently black was the most popular color for many generations. Some early breeders viewed yellow and chocolate Labs as inferior and possibly the result of cross- breeding. Because of this, yellows and chocolates either were not bred or, in extreme cases, were destroyed at birth. Are Labs always a solid color? According to the breed standard, a Lab may have a small white spot on his chest, but it is not considered a desirable characteristic. No other white markings are permitted. Are golden Labs the same as yellow Labs? There’s no such thing as a golden Lab. In Labrador Retrievers, all shades of yellow or gold—from nearly white to fox-red—are correctly referred to as yellow. For some reason, Golden Retrievers—a different breed—are always referred to as “golden,” regardless of their hue. How long do Labs live? Canine life span is determined by many factors, such as breed, genetic makeup, diet, health care and lifestyle/environmental considerations. Some factors, like breed (assuming you have your heart set on a Lab) and genetic make-up are difficult to modify. However, the owner has a great deal of influence on factors related to the physical care of the dog. With adequate nutrition, appropriate health care and a safe environment—all provided by a conscientious owner—a Labrador Retriever can usually be expected to live for about 12 to 14 years. b 540882 Ch01.qxd 10/16/03 9:34 AM Page 6 6 What About Labrador Retrievers? How long do Labs stay puppies? That depends on whether you’re referring to physical or mental develop- ment. Labs, like most dogs, are physically mature by about 12 to 18 months of age. Although most dogs reach mental maturity at about this same time, many Labs don’t lose their puppyish behaviors and attitudes until they’re about two to three years old. (Some Labs never seem to com- pletely grow up.) Where do Labs come from? The name “Labrador Retriever” is a bit of a misnomer—the breed was actually developed in Newfoundland, not Labrador.