copied from Kennel Club website
Retriever (Labrador) Breed Standard document.write(formatDate(parseDate('2006-05-11',1),'dd-NNN-yy'));11-May-062006-05-11
© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited.
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal
characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that
the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential.
Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious
conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to
the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time
certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the
potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and
breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details
of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it
should only be present in the right measure.
The Kennel Club Picture Library - © David Dalton
INTERIM (Breed Standard under review until June 2009)General AppearanceStrongly built, short-coupled, very active; broad in skull; broad
and deep through chest and ribs; broad and strong over loins and
hindquarters.
CharacteristicsGood-tempered, very agile (which precludes excessive body weight or
substance). Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable,
devoted companion.
TemperamentIntelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.
Head and SkullSkull broad with defined stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks.
Jaws of medium length, powerful not snipy. Nose wide, nostrils well
developed.
EyesMedium size, expressing intelligence and good temper; brown or hazel.
EarsNot large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back.
MouthJaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor
bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square
to the jaws.
NeckClean, strong, powerful, set into well placed shoulders.
ForequartersShoulders long and sloping. Forelegs well boned and straight from elbow to ground when viewed from either front or side.
BodyChest of good width and depth, with well sprung barrel ribs - this
effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight. Level topline.
Loins wide, short-coupled and strong.
HindquartersWell developed, not sloping to tail; well turned stifle. Hocks well let down, cowhocks highly undesirable.
FeetRound, compact; well arched toes and well developed pads.
TailDistinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering
towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly
all round with short, thick, dense coat, thus giving ‘rounded’
appearance described as ‘Otter’ tail. May be carried gaily but should
not curl over back.
Gait/MovementFree, covering adequate ground; straight and true in front and rear.
CoatDistinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat.
ColourWholly black, yellow or liver/chocolate. Yellows range from light cream to red fox. Small white spot on chest permissible.
SizeIdeal height at withers: dogs: 56-57 cms (22-221/2 ins); bitches: 55-56 cms (211/2-22 ins).
FaultsAny departure from the foregoing points should be considered a
fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded
should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the
health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its
traditional work.
NoteMale animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - January 2009
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