Understanding America’s Most Popular Dog
Labrador Retriever’s are the most popular dog to own in the United States and Canada by registered ownership. Labradors are very athletic, loyal and are great family dogs.
The dogs we call Labradors today have not always been the dogs that we know. The ancestors of our favorite dogs came from the island of Newfoundland Canada.
Some Newfoundland dogs were bred by early settlers and the result was the St. John’s Water Dog. Through ad-hoc breeds in the 16th century the Labrador breed finally emerged.
Some believe that the dogs that were bred with the St. John’s dog were the black St. Hubert’s hound from France, working water dogs from Portugal and old European pointer breeds that the early settlers owned. Mastiffs are strongly suspected to have played a part in the formation of the Labrador breed.
The Mastiff’s were used by Portuguese fishermen who had been fishing off the shores of Canada since the early 1800’s. The dogs were excellent swimmers and enjoyed being in the water.
The Mastiff and the St. John’s area of Newfoundland were both utilized by the fishermen. The fishermen would send the dogs into the water to grab the floating corks on the ends of their fishing nets and pull them to shore.
In England, dogs were used more for sport than they were for work. Realizing the value of their swimming abilities the Englishmen used the dogs for hunting waterfowl.
There were groups of very affluent men that bred dogs so that they could have the best hunting dogs. The Duke of Buccleuch’s breeding program had two dogs, Abon and Ned, that are considered to be the ancestors of all modern Labradors.
There are many records of the ancestors of America’s favorite canine from the 1800’s. The explorer W. E. Cormack crossed the whole island of Newfoundland by foot and after interacting with the dogs he wrote in his journal that the dogs were trained well and very useful.
Cormack also commented on the short hair of the dogs. He considered this to be very useful because when the longer haired dogs came out of the water in the winter, they were immediately weighed down by the ice that attached to their hair.
Colonel Hawker believed the dogs to be the best for any type of shooting sport. He commented on the fineness of their hair, the fact that their tails were not too curly and how apt the dogs were when it came to running, swimming and fighting.
Finally, geologist Joseph Beete Juke mentions the water dog in his book Excusions In and About Newfoundland During the Years 1839 and 1840. Juke believed that although the dogs were not very good looking, they were very practical because of their swimming abilities.
The dogs that we have come to know and love today have a very distinct appearance. The dogs are a relatively large breed but are manageable.
The average males weight between 65-90 pounds and the average females weight between 55-71 pounds. The weight may vary significantly between dogs, but any dog that weighs close to 100 pounds is considered obese.
The dogs usually do not shed excessively. In most environments the dogs shed twice a year, but in very temperate climates the dogs may shed year round.
The American Kennel Club has set out certain characteristics to deem whether a dog is officially a Labrador. There are specifications depending on the dogs size, coat, head, jaws and body.
The dog must be proportionate. The length of the dog from between the shoulder blades to the base of the tail must be the same as the length of the dog from between the shoulder blades to the floor.
The color of the coat of the dog must be in the range from black to yellow and have a slightly dry oily coat. The color of the eyes must be brown or hazel and the lining of the eyes should be black.
The jaw and the body should both be muscular. The dog overall will be strong and powerful.
Labradors are great dogs to have in the home. Labradors will become a part of any family that cares for them properly and loves them.
Taking the appropriate measure to care for a dog is very important in building a relationship with the dog. If you are not comfortable having the dog in your home, there are many options to outdoor shelter for the dog.
Having a shelter to provide the dog with shade from heat or covering from rain and snow is very beneficial. Understanding that a dog will give you unconditional love when treated correctly is very important for all dog owners to know.
About the author
Jack R. Landry is a veterinarian and pet-lover. He also volunteers at an animal shelter in his free time and has written hundreds of articles about owning dogs and what to look for in a dog run and outdoor dog kennel. Contact Info: Jack R. Landry JackRLandry@gmail.com http://BlackDiamondPets.comTags: outdoor dog kennel