The Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the United States. The Labrador Retriever has been the number one registered dog in the American Kennel Club's (AKC) registry since 1991. The breed has many qualities that propelled it into the top spot including the dog's ability to be a hunting dog, family dog, and working dog. The versatility of the Lab has made it the most popular dog in America.

The Labrador Retriever gets its name from where the dogs originated. The breed originated in Newfoundland and Labrador, the East most province of what is now Canada. The name "New founde lande" was uttered by King Henry VII. Labrador Retrievers probably were named "Labrador" because the British referred to Newfoundland and Labrador simply as Labrador, however, some writers say the Labrador Retriever was named Labrador to avoid confusion with the Newfoundland breed of dog — since both came from the same province.

Nell, born 1856, is sometimes described as a St. John's Water dog, while at other times described as the first Labrador Retriever. It was owned by the Earl of Holme (1799-1881)

The Labrador Retriever is considered a descended of the now extinct, St. John's Water dog. It is called a water dog because of its love for the water and its suitability for working in the water. Fishermen would use the St. John's Water dog to retrieve fish that escaped the net. Several breeds are thought to be descendants of the St. John's Water dog including the Newfoundland, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and the Golden Retriever. The St. John's Water dog was exported to England in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. For instance, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is said to have come from an English ship carrying two St. John's Water dogs to England that shipwrecked off the coast of Maryland. The shipwrecked dogs interbred with other dogs in Maryland starting the Chesapeake Bay Retriever breed.

The last two St. John's dogs were seen in 1981. The photograph is from Richard Walthers' book The Labrador Retriever, published in 1981. These dogs have white toes and a white spot on the chest. This has been bred out of modern Labrador retrievers, except perhaps for a white medallion on the chest of some labs or some white hair in the bottom of the feet. As Labrador Retrievers age and turn gray, they tend to turn gray on the paws and muzzle, perhaps due to their relation to the St. John's Water dog.

The modern Labrador Retriever was developed in England by the third Earl of Malmesbury, the sixth Duke of Bucceleuch (1831-1914) and the twelfth Duke of Home (1834-1918). Eventually, they had 30-40 breeding pairs in the kennel. The 6th Duke's youngest son, Lord George Scott, managed the breeding program. The dogs in this breeding program produced Ned (born in 1882) and Avon (born in 1885). These two dogs are considered the ancestors of all British Labs. Buccleuch Avon also produced some liver colored pups, which are the ancestors of the American Field Champion chocolate line.

Bucceleuch Avon, born 1885.

Bucceleuch Avon sired Banchory Bolo, who was a dual champion winning both the bench and field trial in England. He was almost put down for being untrainable after going through several trainers. He was known as a "wild and stupid dog." Lady Howe acquired him in 1918 after the loss of her beloved Labrador Retriever. The dog was a sensitive dog and harsh training methods did not work on him. Eventually, after much trouble the dog obtained dual championships.

Bolo

Some Labrador Retrievers have a white mark on the bottom of their paws known as a Bolo mark. Dogs with these marks can trace their ancestry to Bucceleuch Avon and Bolo.

Bucceleuch Avon is an ancestor to FC-AFC Rippin' Blue Thunder and NFC AFC Storm's Riptide Star. Both these dogs are ancestors to Jynx of Harness Creek, Joining Three-Doves. Jynx also has Bolo marks.

Jynx

In 1903, the Kennel Club in England recognized the Labrador Retriever as a breed. The first Labrador Retriever was registered in the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1917. By 1927, the AKC had only registered 27 Labrador Retrievers. In 1929, the first yellow lab was registered in the AKC. In 1932, the first liver or chocolate lab was registered in the AKC. Since 1991, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular dog in the United States.

The American Kennel Club standard for the Labrador Retriever  says the dog 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 Labrador Retriever has a short, dense, weather resistant coat and an 'otter' tail. The dog at his withers is 22.5 to 24.5 inches and about an inch shorter for bitches. Dogs weigh 65 to 80 pounds, while bitches weigh 55 to 70 pounds.

We at Three-Doves are proud to carry on this long tradition and history.