Labrador Retriever

In the 17th century in the Newfoundland, the sailors used big black dogs that served to bring swimming different objects between the coast and the ships. These "water dogs" were the ancestors of the Newfoundland and the Landseer, but also of other breeds. These Newfoundland dogs were introduced in England in the 19th century. The duke of Malmesbury crossed them with the pointer in order to obtain lighter retrievers with shorter hair. The sense of smell of the Labrador Retriever and its disposition to help at any moment completed perfectly the work of the pointer to search and the firm stand. This breed transformed quickly in the most appreciated retriever. But besides the aforementioned qualities, the Labrador Retriever is used also as a guide dog for blind people and as a police dog to detect drugs.

It is said that in 1807, in the coast of Maryland two dogs were rescued from the wreck of an English ship. A hunter picked them up and discovered their great qualities for hunting. Later, they were crossed with other imported breeds for example the Irish Water Spaniel and with the Otterhound and thus the American Chesapeake Bay Retriever was born.

The most recent retriever breed is the Curly-Coated Retriever. It was created in England at the beginning of the century as a result of crossing the Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, poodle and setter.

Labrador Retriever. Size: male 55-57 cm; female 54-56 cm. Weight: 25-30 kg. Colors: black (1), also yellow and chocolate. The hair is rough to the touch.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever (2). Size: male 58-66 cm; female 52-61 cm. Weight: 27-32 kg. Colors: all the nuisances of brown to yellow in one-color; a small patch on the chest and on the toes is authorized. The hair is short and thick it should never exceed 3 cm. The eyes must be yellow.

Curly-coated Retriever. Size: 56-59 cm. Weight: 30 kg approximately. Colors: black (3) or chestnut. In all the body (tail and outer ear included) except for the face and the cranium box, the hair forms some hard short and tight ringlets.