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The ancestor of the Labrador comes from Newfoundland and mention of them dates back to the early 1800’s when the Earl of Malmsbury reputedly saw the dogs brought to England by fishermen. He arranged for the importation of some of these dogs. In time, import taxes and quarantine laws practically stopped the importation into England. Thereafter, selective breeding with other types of hunting dogs began to bring about the characteristics that formed the appearance of the dog that we know today as the Labrador Retriever. The Labrador was first recognized as a separate breed by the English Kennel Club in 1903.

In America, the 1920’s brought about many fads. One of these was an interest in Scottish pass shooting. This encouraged wealthy land owners to bring over British gamekeepers, and with them, many British dogs which included the Labrador. The Labrador Retriever Club Inc. was formed in 1931 and the Labrador has held its place in field trials since that time. The first Labrador Retriever Club Specialty was held on May 19, 1933.

Originally bred to assist his master in retrieving game, he is equally at home as a companion animal, and is used to assist his human owners in such areas as guiding the blind, alerting the deaf, and aiding people confined to wheelchairs. The dog is also reliable in use by officials in the location of drugs, bombs, fire accelerants, and the location of humans in disaster areas. He is also a reliable obedience dog. The ability of the Labrador to accomplish all of these tasks makes him truly an “all purpose” dog.