The Labrador Retriever is the most popular dogs in the United States and belongs to the gundog group. This breed is definitely in the top three when it comes to choosing a family pet because they are very friendly, intelligent, energetic and good natured, making them excellent companions and working dogs. Labrador 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. They have a character and quality to win 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 is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance.
The breed originated not in Labrador, but on the coast of Newfoundland in the 17th century. They were trained to bring in the fishing-nets through the icy waters for the fishermen and, in the early 19th century, were brought to Poole Harbour in Great Britain. These dogs were short-limbed, sturdy swimmers with short dense coats and an otter-like tail. They were so attractive that the fishermen had umpteen offers from Englishmen to buy them. The breed was instantly successful as a gundog. The Earl of Malmesbury was fascinated by these dogs and known at that time as Saint John's breed of water dogs and he started breeding them, calling them Labrador dogs. A heavy dog tax in Canada and the new quarantine laws in Great Britain caused a great reduction in the breed, limiting further breeding to be done without any more imports.
