© Kirrawee Veterinary Hospital, February 2000 Labrador Retriever
Labradors were first used to retrieve large fish escaping from nets in the icy waters of the North Atlantic off Newfoundland. They were also successfully utilised as retrievers of waterfowl. When fishing boats brought their catches to English ports last century, the strength and fearlessness of these water dogs was soon recognised by the local sporting gentry, who promptly set their gamekeepers to breeding them. As a result, the Labrador Retriever we know today is very much a British breed.
Being a gundog, and therefore used to spending a great deal of time with his master, the Labrador exhibits a tremendous preference for the company of people. He is therefore an ideal children's playmate, family pet and protector. The best possible reference for the breed's docile and reliable nature is the fact that virtually all guide dogs for the blind in Australia are Labrador Retrievers.
The Labrador needs regular exercise including plenty of free running, as he tends to be somewhat lazy, and prone to become over-weight if not fed correctly.
His height is around 54 to 57 cm, and he weighs 25 to 34 kg.
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