The Look of the Lab
By Audrey Pavia
Published in Popular Dogs, 1998

You've probably seen it: Your is dog standing rigid and tall as he spies something in the distance. His ears are cocked forward, his tail is high in the air, his coat is glistening in the sun. You admire his statuesque physique and his proud carriage. You think back to the breed's history hundreds of years ago, and imagine that he is standing on the shores of Newfoundland, waiting for his turn in the sea.

As you are admiring your Lab's beauty, what you are seeing are the results of decades of careful breeding. The shape of his head; the line of his back; the glint in his eye--these are all characteristics that breeders have painstakingly placed there over the years.

The breed standard of the Labrador Retriever, approved in its latest form in 1994, is meant to reflect today's ideal Lab. American Kennel Club judges are using it to determine which dogs win in the conformation show ring these days. However, each individual, whether they be a breeder, judge or just fan of the breed has his or her own way of interpreting this standard, and thereby identifying the ideal Lab. "In judging the Labrador Retriever one must follow the standard written for the breed," says judge Linda Oldham of Hopewell Junction, New York. "There are however, the little things in individual dogs that will cause me to tip the scales one way or the other."

The Big Picture
When it comes to the overall picture of the Labrador Retriever, the opening section of the standard titled General Appearance says it all. "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," it states.

The Lab started out centuries ago as a hard-working retrieving breed, and is still considered a good working dog today. Even dogs that are meant only for the conformation show ring are expected to possess the athletic qualities so necessary to a hunting breed.

Long-time breeder Jill Ickowski of Wiscoy Labradors in Eden, New York, prefers the British standard to the American standard ("I believe the British standard is a much more accurate standard to judge the Labrador Retriever by," she says), but describes her ideal Lab in a way common to both standards. "I like to see a medium sized dog, with enough substance to get the job done," she says.

Wendy McNaughton of Kazorp Labradors in Townsend, Massachusetts, has been a Lab breeder for over 20 years. When she evaluating dogs for her breeding program, she looks for a dog that is "strong, rugged, solid, shiny and thick coated, with a dare-you-to, inner- me attitude." For McNaughton, this is what makes up the ideal Lab.

Putting It Together
The section of the standard that describes the actual size and symmetry of the Labrador Retriever is very specific. "The height at the withers for a dog is 22 1/2 to 24 1/2 inches; for a bitch is 21-1/2 to 23-1/2 inches," it states. Judges must strictly adhere to these specifications. The standard demands that any dog, male or female, who is more than 1/2 inch below or above these heights must be disqualified in a conformation show.

The standard is clear on weight, as well. Labs who are fit and trim should weigh between 65 to 80 pounds for males, and 55 to 70 pounds for females. When it comes to proportion, the standard calls for a dog that is short-coupled, which means that the 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. This gives the Lab a compact and stocky look.

A Lab's proportion ultimately affects its movement, so the standard calls for a body "of sufficient length to permit a straight, free and efficient stride." However, according to the standard, "the dog should never appear low and long or tall and leggy in outline."

The substance of a Lab's body has been the source of some controversy over the years. Whereas field dogs are more on the lean side, Labs in the conformation show ring today are expected to show considerable substance.

The standard calls for "substance and bone proportionate to the overall dog. Light, 'weedy' individuals are definitely incorrect." Labrador Retriever judge Kendall Herr of Gainesville, Texas, confirms that this stocky look is what she rewards in the ring: "I want a thick dog with good bone," she says. However, the Lab isn't supposed to look as stocky as a Bulldog either. The standard specifically says "equally objectionable are cloddy lumbering specimens."

A Good Noggin
For most breeds of dog, the head is one of the most important aspects of conformation. After all, it's the head that most people see first! It's also the part of the dog that possesses expression, something very significant to lovers of the breed.
The Labrador Retriever standard contains some very specific detail when it comes to the ideal Lab head. "The skull should be wide; well developed but without exaggeration," it states. "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."

In the show ring as well as elsewhere, the Lab's head is one of its strongest identifying characteristics. "When I look at the head and expression of a Labrador Retriever, it should never remind me of any other breed of dog," says judge Linda Oldham.

Expression is a big part of the Lab's special look, and something that comes a lot from the eyes. "The eyes should be a soft, off-angle diamond without the acute bottom angle," says Oldham. "They should not be round. They should be medium to dark brown in color, never showing trace of yellow, nor should they be so dark as to be near black. The eyes of a Labrador should look back at you with intelligence, warmth, friendliness and just a sparkle of humor."

The standard is clear on what it's looking for in a Labrador's eyes: "Kind, friendly eyes imparting good temperament, intelligence and alertness are a hallmark of the breed," it states. "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."
A Lab's ears also contribute significantly to the look of its head. In the standard, ears are required to hang moderately close to the head, be set rather far back, and be 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," it states. Oldham adds "The ears should be of sufficient length to frame, but not overwhelm the face."

Details
The Lab standard also clearly describes what the neck and topline of the Labrador Retriever should look like. While it may not seem terribly important, the neck of a Lab actually plays a considerable role in the dog's work. "The neck should be of proper length to allow the dog to retrieve game easily," states the standard. "It should be muscular and free from throatiness. The neck should rise strongly from the shoulders with a moderate arch. A short, thick neck is incorrect."

The topline, which could also be described as the line of the dog's back, from neck to hindquarters, is distinctive in a Lab. The standard calls for a topline that is "level from the withers to the croup when standing or moving." Oldham expands on this: "I want a level back. I will accept a very slight slope to the croup, and I want a tail that is long enough to balance the body, but that does not drop to, or below the point of the hock," she says.

Speaking of Tails
At first glance, the Lab tail might seem like that of many other breeds. But in the Labrador Retriever, the tail is both unique and important. The standard is very clear on what exactly is correct in the Lab: "The tail is a distinguishing feature of the breed," the standard states. "It should be very thick at the base, gradually tapering toward the tip, of medium length, and extending no longer than to the hock."

Hair is an important factor on the Lab's tail as well. The standard states: "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."
Breeder Jill Ickowski describes the Lab tail even further. "We should see an otter-like tail in which the hair actually wraps around the tail," she says. "If you look at the underside of the tail, you can see a seam where the wrapping hair meets."

The standard even dictates how a Lab should hold its 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."

In the show ring, the tail also plays a significant part: "Extremely short tails or long thin tails are serious faults," indicates the standard. "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."

A Special Coat
That beautiful Lab fur that you like to run your fingers through is a considerable part of the breed's make-up. Like other breeds meant to spend time working in the water, the Lab has a double coat made up of course outer hairs, plus a softer undercoat. The standard describes the outer coat as "short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand." The Lab's weather-resistant undercoat "provides protection from water, cold and all types of ground cover."

Judge Herr describes the practical aspects of the Lab's coat. "I look for a Lab with a double coat, and with a dense undercoat for insulation. I want to see a hard topcoat to repel water and keep burrs and stickers from injuring the skin when hunting," she says.
When Oldham goes over Labs in the show ring, she has very specific qualities she looks for in the dogs' coats. "When I examine the coat I want to feel a hard - though not harsh as a terrier's - texture, with some resistance to the hand," she says. "It should be long enough to wrap on the body and around the tail, but not so long that you can lose your fingers in it. There can be, and I prefer, the appearance of a 'wave' down the back. I feel that a coat that is truly weather proof has that wave, which is actually hairs growing in slightly different direction in order to closely fit the body."

Oldham also shares some of her insights about the Lab's undercoat. "The undercoat is the dog's insulation," she explains. "The undercoat is usually a slightly different shade of the dog's color. In other words, a black dog has an undercoat that is a dark sooty shade or even, when beginning the shedding process, dark mahogany; a yellow under coat can be almost white; and a chocolate should always have a lighter variation of its top coat."

Dog of a Different Color
One thing that even the most casual Lab lover knows is that the breed comes in three different colors: black, yellow and chocolate. But did you know that any other color is a disqualification in the conformation ring?

To ensure that there is no question of a Lab's color, the standard clearly describes the essence of each acceptable hue. Black is explained as "all black. A black with brindle markings or a black with tan markings is a disqualification."
Yellow Labs may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back and underparts, according to the standard. Chocolates too can vary, coming in any shade from light to dark chocolate. However, chocolates cannot have brindle or tan markings. If they do, they will be disqualified from the show ring.

On the Move
The way a dog moves is of great importance to judges, especially if that dog is from a working breed. The Lab breed standard devotes quite a bit of space to explaining exactly what correct Lab movement should be. "Movement of the Labrador Retriever should be free and effortless," it states. "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."

The view from the back should be neat, too. "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."

And then there's the view from the side. "The shoulders should move freely and effortlessly, and the foreleg should reach forward close to the ground with extension," it states.
In addition, Oldham describes the movement she looks for in the ring: "When a Labrador moves at the trot, it should be smooth and effortless, as if he were swimming," she says. "His front legs should reach out so that the end of the paw is in a line with the nose; the extended rear leg should end in a line under the end of the tail." She states that there should be no appearance of lumbering, and the stride should not appear short and choppy. "At the trot, his head should drop enough to form an almost level line from his nose to his tail tip," she explains. "The body should not flop and roll; the appearance should be a well-conditioned athlete."

A dog with good conformation should also have good movement, which is vital to a working dog bred to hunt in the field for hours a day. There are certain types of movement that point to critical conformation problems, as the standard describes. These faults in movement indicate a dog who may have trouble fulfilling his duties in the field. "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," says the standard.

Other movement faults that could interfere with dog's performance include weaving; side-winding; crossing over; high knee action; and short, choppy movement. According to the standard, these faults should be severely penalized in the show ring.

All This and Personality Too
Looks are very important of course, but the Lab is more than just a pretty face. Probably one of the most wonderful things about the Lab is his temperament. Labs are kind, gentle dogs whose primary goal in life is pleasing their owners.

The standard recognizes the importance of preserving that incredible Lab temperament, calling for breeders to breed only dogs with just the right personality. "True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the 'otter' tail," the standard states. "The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal."

When Oldham judges the Lab in the show ring, she not only looks for the appearance called for in the standard, but the disposition too. "In personality the Labrador should be approachable," she says. "Nothing about the dog should make you need to feel wary. His eyes and his body should say, 'Let's be friends.'"

Copyright 1997 by Audrey Pavia. This article cannot be reprinted in any form without written permission from the author.