Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is a breed of sporting dog that originated in Newfoundland, Canada. It was first recognized as a separate breed in 1917 by the American Kennel Club (AKC).  The most popular theory of origin suggests that when the English fishermen came to Newfoundland in the 1700s, they brought with them small water dogs known as St. Johns Water Dogs and bred them with indigenous dogs, resulting in the modern Labradors we know today. The original purpose of this hardy breed was to help fishermen haul their catch and assist hunters retrieve ducks or upland birds.  Throughout its history, the Labrador retriever has been appreciated for its keen intelligence, friendly temperament and natural swimming ability. Today it remains one of the world's most popular breeds for work and play, thanks largely to these traits but also because it fits well within family life thanks to its trainability and unconditional love for those close to it.