Labrador Retriever

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The Labrador Retriever used to be called 'Small Water Dog' in order to avoid confusion with the Newfoundland.

There are two types of Labradors, the English Labrador and the American Labrador. The English bred lab comes from English bred stock. Their general appearance is different.

The English bred labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American bred Lab comes from American bred stock and is tall and lanky.

The Labrador Retriever is a solid, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a short, hard, easy-care, water-resistant double coat that does not have any waves and comes in solid black, yellow, or chocolate. The Labrador has a broad head, thick nose, scissors bite and a pronounced stop. Its muzzle is fairly wide and its neck is powerful. The eyes are chestnut or hazel with an intelligent expression.

The medium-sized ears are pendant. The otter tail is strong, thick near the body then tapering, and completely covered with hair. Its limbs have good bone structure. The webbed feet aid in swimming.

Temperament: Intelligent, Outgoing, Trusting, Gentle, Agile, Even Tempered, Kind

Health Problems: In 2014, the UK breed survey reported an average lifespan for the Labrador Retriever of 12 years and 3 months, with some living up to 19 years of age. Labrador pups generally are not brought to the home before they are 8 weeks old. It is a healthy breed with relatively few major problems. Notable issues related to health and well-being include inherited disorders and obesity.