Labrador
Retriever Breed Standard
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 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 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.
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; 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