Labrador Dog Breed Origin
History of the labrador retriever labrador retrievers despite their name actually originated in newfoundland.
Labrador dog breed origin. The term first appeared in 1955 but was not initially popular. John s water dog or lesser newfoundland. It seems reasonable to assume that our much loved and lovable retriever is called a labrador retriever because it retrieves things and comes from labrador in north america. The breed was developed from the st.
Welcome to newfoundland the birthplace of the labrador retriever. The labrador breed in britain dates back to at least the 1830s when it was first introduced from ships trading between the labrador region of canada and poole in dorsetshire. Johns dog was developed. Labradoodles are a good choice for those with allergies provided the poodle coat is inherited rather than the labrador coat.
At the time small water dogs were bred with newfoundlands to create a breed called the st. Its early patrons included the earl of malmesbury the duke of buccleuch the earl of home and sir john scott. These dogs are the ancestors of labradors. Whatever their origins the history of the labrador retriever began in the 19th century when the english aristocracy began to import the dogs from newfoundland.
John s water dog which is a combination of newfoundlands and small water dogs. A labradoodle ˈlæbrəduːdəl is a crossbreed dog created by crossing the labrador retriever and the standard miniature or toy poodle. This conveniently located if awfully chilly island off the coast of labrador in eastern canada has been home to cod fisherman and a stop off for traders and explorers for hundreds of years. Labrador retriever temperament friendly active outgoing akc breed popularity ranks 1 of 196 height 22 5 24 5 inches male 21 5 23 5 inches female weight 65 80 pounds male 55 70 pounds female life expectancy 10 12 years group sporting group.
From these humble beginnings a very loyal and hard working water dog the st. Johns water dogs are the result of ad hoc breedings by the people of newfoundland in the 16th century. Labrador retriever the most famous dog breed in the usa has a long history which begins in newfoundland from st john s dog. Although the name might suggest labrador retrievers came from labrador canada the breed actually originated in newfoundland in the 1500s.
Some theorists believe that the breed may even have originated in portugal labrador means labourer in portuguese before being introduced into newfoundland by portuguese sailors. These dogs were owned by fishermen and jumped into icy water to bring back fish that had fallen off the fishing hooks.