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Labrador Retriever Facts & Worksheets

As a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dogs, Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed of dogs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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As a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dogs, Labrador retrievers are the most popular breed of dogs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They make great therapy dogs, service dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and they are the best all-around family dog.

See the fact file below for more information on the Labrador Retriever or alternatively, you can download our 19-page Labrador Retriever worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Labrador retrievers came from Labrador, Canada. The breed actually originated in Newfoundland in the 1500s. At the time, small water dogs were bred with Newfoundlands to create a breed called the St. John’s Water Dog or Lesser Newfoundland. These dogs were owned by fishermen and jumped into icy water to bring back fish that had fallen off the fishing hooks.
  • The dogs continued to live exclusively in Newfoundland until the early 1800s, when they were imported to Poole, England, by the Earl of Malmesbury. He had seen the breed in action and immediately brought them home.
  • By 1903, Labradors were recognized by the English Kennel Club.
  • The breed began to grow in popularity. In the early 1900s, hunters and farmers from the United States learned of the breed’s work ethic and began incorporating “Labs” into their daily lives. The American Kennel Club recognized Labrador Retrievers in 1917, and the breed became a loving pet to many families.
  • Labrador retrievers are still ready to work and please their pet parents. They are also affectionate, outgoing, intelligent, and friendly to humans, especially children and other animals. They don’t need much grooming, but they do need a considerable amount of daily exercise. They enjoy regular walks, a game of fetch, or even a swim in a safe area.

APPEARANCE

  • These lovable dogs can either be American Labradors (field dogs) for hunt or English Labradors (conformation dogs) for show.
  • Labs can, depending on the sex, stand from 21.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 55 to 80 pounds.
  • Their dense, hard coat comes in yellow, black, and a luscious chocolate.
  • 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; and powerful jaws.
  • They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs.
  • Field line bred Labrador retrievers are often taller and thinner in build. These dogs are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears, and expressive eyes. The tail is thick and sturdy and comes off the topline almost horizontally..
  • The feet are described as “webbed,” with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming.

TYPES

  • There are two types of Labrador retrievers that can be found in almost all parts of the world. English and American Labs are identified as being bred for show (known as conformation dogs) or for hunt (field dogs).
  • English Labrador. They look more heavier than the American type.
  • These dogs have bigger builds with barrel chests, which are relatively wider and more ‘solid’ looking. They have broad heads with a more defined stop, a fuller face, and a tight muzzle that further adds to their bulky appearance. Compared to the American Labs, they obviously have thicker coats and shorter legs and bodies.
  • American Labrador. Compared to their English cousins, these Labs have a lighter and slimmer body, with a more agile look. Their heads are not as wide as the English type, and their muzzles are longer in size. American labs also have thinner and longer necks, as well as a thinner coat. They have long and slim legs, which further adds to their athletic look. All of these features and traits are the reasons why these Labradors were bred for working ability.

TEMPERAMENT AND HEALTH

  • Labradors are playful and smart, with a warm, friendly temperament that makes them ideal for first-time owners. If you own a Labrador, you will find they are easy-going, rewarding pets with high energy levels, meaning they love extra attention and exercise.
  • Labradors are not typically aggressive dogs. Unlike Rottweilers, Labrador retrievers are not true guarding dogs. Aggression and attack are not in their genes.
  • A Labrador’s lifespan is about 10-12 years.
  • Some of the general health conditions that afflict Labradors are patellar luxation, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), which is canine elbow and shoulder dysplasia.
  • Labradors also occasionally suffer from distichiasis, exercise-induced collapse, diabetes, muscular dystrophy, tricuspid valve dysplasia, and entropion.

USE AS WORKING DOGS

  • As intelligent breeds, Labradors are known for their good work ethic and good temperament. Their roles include hunting, tracking and detection, disability assistance, carting, and therapy work.
  • They are also noted for their ability to tolerate cold water.
  • Additionally, Labradors are powerful swimmers, and they are often used for water rescue.

Labrador Retriever Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Labrador Retriever across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Labrador Retriever worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Labrador retrievers which are the most popular breed of dogs in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They make great therapy dogs, service dogs, guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and they are the best all-around family dog.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Labrador Retriever Facts
  • Lovable Labradors
  • Breed Standards
  • Fetch Some Facts
  • Growing Up a Lab
  • Ask a Lab
  • Retriever vs Retriever
  • Notable Labradors
  • Taking Care of a Lab
  • Pros and Cons of a Lab
  • Adopting a Lab

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Link will appear as Labrador Retriever Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 15, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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