Labrador Retriever
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The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled,
dog possessing a sound,... View more
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Group Description
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 is 22½ to 24½ inches;
for a bitch is 21½ to 23½ inches. Any variance greater than ½ 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 shouldhang 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 theleg. 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.
Color: The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Any other color or a
combination of colors is a disqualification. 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; hisgentle 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.
Source: AKC
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