The Labrador Retriever Breed
Labrador Retriever Information and Breed Standard by AKC
The Labrador Retriever Illustrated Standard is available in PDF Here.
It is an oustanding and easy to understand piece of literature that will help
you to understand what is correct in breed type and what is not.
The gentle, intelligent and family-friendly Labrador Retriever from Canada
continues to be the most popular breed in the United States, according to AKC®
registration statistics. This versatile hunting breed comes in three colors – yellow,
black and chocolate – and because of his aptitude to please his master they excel as
guide dogs for the blind, as part of search-and-rescue teams or in narcotics detection
with law enforcement.
A Look Back
Labrador Retrievers, originally from Newfoundland, were initially used
in work alongside fisherman, helping to pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from
fishing lines. After being crossed with Setters, Spaniels and other Retrievers, the
Labrador Retriever honed its skills as a true retriever. From this point in the breed’s
history, "Labs," as they are affectionately called, were bred primarily to perform as
an efficient retriever of game, with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of
activities beyond hunting.
Right Breed for You?
An ideal sporting and family dog, the Labrador Retriever thrives as part of an active
family or as a trusted hunting companion. A double-coated breed which sheds seasonally,
regular grooming keeps his coat at its water-resistant best. Because of his even temperament
and trainability millions of Americans own a Labrador Retriever as a pet.
The Labrador Retriever was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1917.
The average size is from 55 - 75 pounds.
Outgoing and devoted companions; Water Dog - Sporting Group
General Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing
a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving
gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under
difficult conditions; the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament
to be a family companion. Physical features and mental characteristics should denote a dog
bred to perform as an efficient Retriever of game with a stable temperament suitable for a
variety of pursuits beyond the hunting environment.
The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather
resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop;
powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good
temperament.
Above all, a Labrador Retriever must be well balanced, enabling it to move in the show ring
or work in the field with little or no effort. The typical Labrador possesses style and quality
without over refinement, and substance without lumber or cloddiness. The Labrador is bred
primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance.
Size, Proportion and Substance
Size--The height at the withers for a dog (male) is 22˝ to 24˝ inches; for a bitch (female) is 21˝ to 23˝ inches.
Any variance greater than ˝ inch above or below these heights is a disqualification. Approximate
weight of dogs and bitches in working condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches 55 to 70 pounds.
The minimum height ranges set forth in the paragraph above shall not apply to dogs or bitches under
twelve months of age.
Proportion--Short-coupled; length from the point of the shoulder to the point of the rump is
equal to or slightly longer than the distance from the withers to the ground. Distance from
the elbow to the ground should be equal to one half of the height at the withers. The brisket
should extend to the elbows, but not perceptibly deeper. The body must be of sufficient length
to permit a straight, free and efficient stride; but the dog should never appear low and long
or tall and leggy in outline. Substance--Substance and bone proportionate to the overall dog.
Light, "weedy" individuals are definitely incorrect; equally objectionable are cloddy lumbering
specimens. Labrador Retrievers shall be shown in working condition well-muscled and without
excess fat.
Head
Skull--The skull should be wide; well developed but without exaggeration. The skull and
foreface should be on parallel planes and of approximately equal length. There should be a
moderate stop--the brow slightly pronounced so that the skull is not absolutely in a straight
line with the nose. The brow ridges aid in defining the stop. The head should be clean-cut and
free from fleshy cheeks; the bony structure of the skull chiseled beneath the eye with no
prominence in the cheek. The skull may show some median line; the occipital bone is not
conspicuous in mature dogs. Lips should not be squared off or pendulous, but fall away in a
curve toward the throat. A wedge-shape head, or a head long and narrow in muzzle and back
skull is incorrect as are massive, cheeky heads. The jaws are powerful and free from snippiness--
the muzzle neither long and narrow nor short and stubby.
Nose-- The nose should be wide and the nostrils well-developed. The nose should be black
on black or yellow dogs, and brown on
chocolates. Nose color fading to a lighter shade is not a fault. A thoroughly pink nose or
one lacking in any pigment is a disqualification.
Teeth--The teeth should be strong and regular
with a scissors bite; the lower teeth just behind, but touching the inner side of the upper
incisors. A level bite is acceptable, but not desirable. Undershot, overshot, or misaligned
teeth are serious faults. Full dentition is preferred. Missing molars or pre-molars are serious
faults.
Ears--The ears should hang moderately close to the head, set rather far back, and somewhat
low on the skull; slightly above eye level. Ears should not be large and heavy, but in proportion
with the skull and reach to the inside of the eye when pulled forward.
Eyes--Kind, friendly eyes
imparting good temperament, intelligence and alertness are a hallmark of the breed. They should
be of medium size, set well apart, and neither protruding nor deep set. Eye color should be brown
in black and yellow Labradors, and brown or hazel in chocolates. Black, or yellow eyes give a
harsh expression and are undesirable. Small eyes, set close together or round prominent eyes are
not typical of the breed. Eye rims are black in black and yellow Labradors; and brown in chocolates.
Eye rims without pigmentation is a disqualification.
Neck, Topline and Body
Neck--The neck should be of proper length to allow the dog to retrieve game easily. It should
be muscular and free from throatiness. The neck should rise strongly from the shoulders with a
moderate arch. A short, thick neck or a "ewe" neck is incorrect.
Topline--The back is strong and
the topline is level from the withers to the croup when standing or moving. However, the loin
should show evidence of flexibility for athletic endeavor.
Body--The Labrador should be short-coupled,
with good spring of ribs tapering to a moderately wide chest. The Labrador should not be narrow
chested; giving the appearance of hollowness between the front legs, nor should it have a wide
spreading, bulldog-like front. Correct chest conformation will result in tapering between the
front legs that allows unrestricted forelimb movement. Chest breadth that is either too wide or
too narrow for efficient movement and stamina is incorrect. Slab-sided individuals are not typical
of the breed; equally objectionable are rotund or barrel chested specimens. The underline is almost
straight, with little or no tuck-up in mature animals. Loins should be short, wide and strong;
extending to well developed, powerful hindquarters. When viewed from the side, the Labrador Retriever
shows a well-developed, but not exaggerated forechest.
Tail--The tail is a distinguishing feature
of the breed. It should be very thick at the base, gradually tapering toward the tip, of medium
length, and extending no longer than to the hock. The tail should be free from feathering and
clothed thickly all around with the Labrador’s short, dense coat, thus having that peculiar rounded
appearance that has been described as the "otter" tail. The tail should follow the topline in repose
or when in motion. It may be carried gaily, but should not curl over the back. Extremely short tails
or long thin tails are serious faults. The tail completes the balance of the Labrador by giving it a
flowing line from the top of the head to the tip of the tail. Docking or otherwise altering the
length or natural carriage of the tail is a disqualification.
Forequarters
Forequarters should be muscular, well coordinated and balanced with the hindquarters. Shoulders--The
shoulders are well laid-back, long and sloping, forming an angle with the upper arm of approximately
90 degrees that permits the dog to move his forelegs in an easy manner with strong forward reach.
Ideally, the length of the shoulder blade should equal the length of the upper arm. Straight shoulder
blades, short upper arms or heavily muscled or loaded shoulders, all restricting free movement, are
incorrect.
Front Legs--When viewed from the front, the legs should be straight with good strong bone.
Too much bone is as undesirable as too little bone, and short legged, heavy boned individuals are not
typical of the breed. Viewed from the side, the elbows should be directly under the withers, and the
front legs should be perpendicular to the ground and well under the body. The elbows should be close
to the ribs without looseness. Tied-in elbows or being "out at the elbows" interfere with free movement
and are serious faults. Pasterns should be strong and short and should slope slightly from the
perpendicular line of the leg. Feet are strong and compact, with well-arched toes and well-developed
pads. Dew claws may be removed. Splayed feet, hare feet, knuckling over, or feet turning in or out
are serious faults.
Hindquarters
The Labrador’s hindquarters are broad, muscular and well-developed from the hip to the hock with
well-turned stifles and strong short hocks. Viewed from the rear, the hind legs are straight and
parallel. Viewed from the side, the angulation of the rear legs is in balance with the front. The
hind legs are strongly boned, muscled with moderate angulation at the stifle, and powerful, clearly
defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there is no slippage of the patellae while in motion or
when standing. The hock joints are strong, well let down and do not slip or hyper-extend while in
motion or when standing. Angulation of both stifle and hock joint is such as to achieve the optimal
balance of drive and traction. When standing the rear toes are only slightly behind the point of
the rump. Over angulation produces a sloping topline not typical of the breed. Feet are strong and
compact, with well-arched toes and well-developed pads. Cow-hocks, spread hocks, sickle hocks and
over-angulation are serious structural defects and are to be faulted.
Coat
The coat is a distinctive feature of the Labrador Retriever. It should be short, straight and very
dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The Labrador should have a soft, weather-resistant
undercoat that provides protection from water, cold and all types of ground cover. A slight wave
down the back is permissible. Woolly coats, soft silky coats, and sparse slick coats are not typical
of the breed, and should be severely penalized. (Note: a wave in the coat down the back of the dog
shows that a good amount of undercoat exists and is correct in English bred lines)
Color
The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other color or a combination
of colors is a disqualification (such as silver, charcoal and champaigne). A small white spot on
the chest is permissible, but not desirable.
White hairs from aging or scarring are not to be misinterpreted as brindling. Black--Blacks are all
black. A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification. Yellow--Yellows
may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and
underparts of the dog. Chocolate--Chocolates can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Chocolate
with brindle or tan markings is a disqualification.
Movement
Movement of the Labrador Retriever should be free and effortless. When watching a dog move toward
oneself, there should be no sign of elbows out. Rather, the elbows should be held neatly to the
body with the legs not too close together. Moving straight forward without pacing or weaving, the
legs should form straight lines, with all parts moving in the same plane. Upon viewing the dog from
the rear, one should have the impression that the hind legs move as nearly as possible in a parallel
line with the front legs. The hocks should do their full share of the work, flexing well, giving the
appearance of power and strength. When viewed from the side, the shoulders should move freely and
effortlessly, and the foreleg should reach forward close to the ground with extension. A short,
choppy movement or high knee action indicates a straight shoulder; paddling indicates long, weak
pasterns; and a short, stilted rear gait indicates a straight rear assembly; all are serious faults.
Movement faults interfering with performance including weaving; side-winding; crossing over; high
knee action; paddling; and short, choppy movement, should be severely penalized.
Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the "otter" tail. The
ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive
towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence
and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any
evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized.
Disqualifications
1.Any deviation from the height prescribed in the Standard.
2.A thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any pigment.
3.Eye rims without pigment.
4.Docking or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage of the tail.
5.Any other color or a combination of colors other than black, yellow or chocolate as described
in the Standard.
Approved February 12, 1994
Effective March 31, 1994
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