Golden Labrador Retrievers
A Brief History
Labrador retrievers; loyal, intelligent and gentle companions. Labradors were selectively bred to have these characteristics to create the perfect working dog, a hunter’s trusty aid. They have been used for generations as hunting dogs, and in as far back as the 1700s they were originally trained to retrieve nets put out by fishermen and catch straying fish. Their use has been traced back to Newfoundland where they are presumed to originate from. This can be seen in modern Labs who have still got their ancestors webbed toes and who love nothing more than to jump in to water to fetch a stick.
Colour Over Time
Yellow or Golden Labs are actually descendants of purely Black Labradors. The original breed descended from a now extinct breed native to Newfoundland called ‘St John’s Dog’, who disappeared in the 1980s. This dog itself is thought to have been bred from a mix of European working dogs that were brought to Newfoundland by emigrants. The St John’s Dog was black with what are known as ‘tuxedo’ markings: white patches on the chest, feet and muzzle. These distinctive markings can still be seen on Golden labs in the form of paler fur in these areas. In 1892 the first variant in colour appeared when a litter of labs were bred to a browner colour. Later, in 1899, the first recorded Golden Labradors were bred, although they were a much darker shade than the Labs we see today. They were recognised as a breed by The Kennel Club in 1903.
Golden Labs Today
Their innate desire to help people has made Labradors the most popular breed of dog in the Western world. They have excellent temperament and are incredibly loyal and protective. This makes them perfect pets for families with children, as Labs are rarely known to show aggression. Their size (approx 60cm and weighing 30kg) and eagerness also makes them good guard dogs as they are prone to jumping and barking when visitors call! These traits, along with their aptness for learning to respond to complex commands, make them an ideal assistance dog (excepting those Labradors that are more inclined to the excitable side of their personality). They are one of the most popular breeds to train as Guide Dogs for the blind and also for other assisting tasks such as medical alert. They are also used for their keen sense of smell, assisting the police and military in tasks such as search and rescue, drug detection and even ammunition and bomb detection.But not all Labs are as disciplined as this! ‘Marley & Me’ is a book-turned-film about a reckless but loveable Lab and his life with the Grogan family. It is a heart-warming tale and proves that Labradors really do have bundles of their own individual character.