Breed Info
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.
