Always at the top of the international hit parade of dog breeds! Totally versatile, able to take on the role of hunting dog, companion dog, help dog for the blind, rescue dog... Gentle, peaceful, intelligent, and loyal, he deserves this success!
His story
Its character
Its physical characteristics
Its maintenance
His health
Its price
Its history
Descended from the "dog of St. Jones", who lived on the island of Newfoundland in the 18th century, the Labrador Retriever was used by cod fishermen to retrieve fish escaped from nets. It was imported into Great Britain around 1820. Solid, friendly, and excellent retriever, it was soon noticed by some aristocrats of the county of Dorset, who began to breed it and trained it for game retrieval. Selection and crossbreeding, undoubtedly with the intervention of the Pointer, allowed to refine it.
Its character
The Labrador retrieves by instinct and throws itself without hesitation into the coldest waters. Well-balanced, it also knows how to lead a calm quest and to track game with tenacity. His flair leads him to serve in the police, especially as a drug detector. Gentle and peaceful, this dog is unique as a guide dog for the blind. Loyal and affectionate, a friend of children, it is a companion appreciated by all. It has known and still knows a remarkable international success. He remains among the very first breeds in Great Britain and the United States and has been a stable success in France for many years. Moreover, what the French President has not had his Labrador!
His physical characteristics
Solid, strongly built, slightly stocky, the Labrador has ahead with a broad skull, a clean stop, strong jaws, a wide nose, and well open nostrils. The eyes, brown or hazelnut, have a soft and intelligent expression. The ears, small, hang against the head, rather backward. The chest is broad and deep; the legs are powerful. The tail, thick towards the base, tapers green at the tip. Without fringe but covered with short hair, it has the rounded appearance of an otter tail. The coat is made of short and dense hair, without waves, thick and without bangs, and a water-resistant undercoat. It must be solid: black, brown, or fawn which can vary from red to cream. A white spot is allowed on the chest. The most sought-after color is chocolate color.
Its maintenance
Its maintenance is really not constraining apart from the periods of molting; during this period, its undercoat requires more brushing; It is also necessary to supervise and clean its ears regularly prone to otitis.
His health
The Labrador is strong but greedy, so beware of frequent obesity and gastric torsion which can be fatal. Its average life expectancy is 12 years.
What is its price?
It is necessary to count around 1000 € for a LOF labrador; some criteria can, however, impact on the price: - The color, the chocolate labradors, rarer and very sought-after can cost up to 1600 € according to the lineage; - A labrador selected and sold for reproduction will also be more expensive - The conformity to the standards of the breed: The closer the puppy is to the desired criteria, the more expensive it will be - Ability: working lines are coveted: a dog that has a lineage of retriever and is still practicing will be sought after and its price will vary greatly; Similarly, some Labradors are selected to become guide dogs for the blind or search dogs for the police: for example, the training of a guide dog costs between €15,000 and €19,000.