by : Brookesunderland



When someone says the word dog, usually one of two breeds spring to the front of most people's minds. One breed is the German Shepherd and the other is inevitably a Labrador Retriever. But there are so many variations in the Labrador Retriever, the most popular purebred in North America. How do you tell one is more of a quality Labrador than another? By looking at the Labrador breed standard.

Getting a general idea of the breed standard is one of the best pieces of Labrador information that you can learn, especially if you are shopping for a show dog or for breeding stock. Fortunately, the breed standard also rewards an ideal temperament just as much as it rewards an ideal body shape. Labradors are very strong for their size, so being a friendly dog is necessary both in and out of the show ring. A Lab with behavior problems should be neutered.

A Labrador is a study, happy dog with a personality almost as large as their appetites. They have about the most adoring expression on their faces, as if they worship every human being they look upon. Labs come in four recognized colors - yellow, silver, black and chocolate (a dark brown). Labs come in a variety of sizes, but show animals must be twenty one to twenty five inches at their withers (highest point of their shoulders).

Labrador Retrievers can't get enough of food, and this often shows in their weight. Ideally, they should not be shaped like a seal. They should only be fifty five to seventy five pounds. (Bigger Labs will naturally weigh on the higher end of the scale). They have a very square body and a naturally long, straight tail, sometimes referred to as an otter tail. Their thick coats reflect that they can put up with a lot of time in the water and rain. It should be short, a bit harsh and drip dry.

The purebred Labrador has webbing between the toes in order to help them swim. Their limbs are just as sturdy as the rest of their bodies, except for their eyes and ears. Their eyes have a loving, friendly expression usually described as soft, with eye colors in various shades of brown.

Their ears are floppy but do not hug the head, so they get proper circulation. Their heads tend to be blocky, and their tongues are usually pink.

Crossing Golden and Labrador Retrievers is very popular, so you may come across this in a shelter. In England, they are the dog of choice for the blind. The breed standard also gives importance to the Labrador's temperament. They are to be friendly, affectionate and agreeable.