The general appearance of the Labrador should be that of a strongly

built, short-coupled, very active dog. He should be fairly wide over the

loins, and strong and muscular in the hindquarters. The coat should be

close, short, dense and free from feather.

Approximate weights of dogs and bitches in working condition:

Dogs: 60-75 lb. (27-34 kg);

Bitches: 55-70 lb. (25-32 kg)

Height at shoulders:

Dogs: 22-1/2 - 24-1/2 inches (57-62 cm);

Bitches: 21-1/2 - 23-1/2 inches (54-60 cm)

The coat is a very distinctive feature; it should be short, very dense and

without wave, and should give a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The

colours are black, yellow, or chocolate and are evaluated as follows:

All black, with a small white spot on chest permissible. Eyes to be of

medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper, preferably

brown or hazel, although black or yellow is permissible.

Yellow may vary in colour from fox-red to light cream with variations

in the shading of the coat on ears, the underparts of the dog, or

beneath the tail. A small white spot on chest is permissible. Eye

colouring and expression should be the same as that of the blacks,

with black or dark brown eye rims. The nose should also be black or

dark brown, although “fading” to pink in the winter weather is not

serious.

Shades ranging from light sedge to chocolate. A small white spot on

chest is permissible. Eyes to be light brown to clear yellows. Nose

and eye rim pigmentation dark brown or liver coloured. “Fading” to

pink in winter weather not serious.

January 2004

i.e., the brow should be slightly pronounced, so that the skull is not

of a medium size, expressing great intelligence and good temper, and can

hang moderately close to the head rather far back, should be set

somewhat low, and not be large and heavy.

The neck should be medium length, powerful and not throaty.

The shoulders should be long and sloping. The legs must be straight from

the shoulder to ground, and the feet compact with toes well arched, and

pads well developed.

The chest must be of good width and depth, the ribs well sprung and the

loins wide and strong.

Stifles well turned, and the hindquarters well developed and of great

power. The hocks should be well bent, and the dog must neither be cowhocked

nor be too wide behind; in fact, he must stand and move true all

round on legs and feet. Legs should be of medium length, showing good

bone and muscle, but not so short as to be out of balance with rest of

body. In fact, a dog well balanced in all points is preferable to one with

outstanding good qualities and defects.

The tail is a distinctive feature of the breed; it should be very thick

towards the base, gradually tapering towards the tip, of medium length,

should be free from any feathering, and should be clothed thickly all

round with the Labrador’s short, thick, dense coat, thus giving that

peculiar “rounded” appearance which has been described as the “otter”

tail. The tail may be carried gaily but should not curl over the back.

Movement should be free and effortless. The forelegs should be strong,

straight and true, and correctly placed. Watching a dog move towards

one, there should be no signs of elbows being out in front, but neatly

held to the body with legs not too close together, but moving straight

forward without pacing or weaving. Upon viewing the dog from the rear,

one should get the impression that the hind legs, which should be well

muscled and not cow-hocked, move as nearly parallel as possible, with

hocks doing their full share of work and flexing well, thus giving the

appearance of power and strength.

Dudley nose (pink without pigmentation).