History
Of The Fox Red Shade-
Fox
red is only a shade of yellow and not a separate
color. The first recognised yellow Labrador
Retriever was Ben Of Hyde born in 1899. These
early labradors were either dark gold or
butterscotch in color.The original shade of
yellow was actually fox red or dark yellow.
The shade was known as "Golden"
until the British Kennel Club required it the
change, on the grounds that "Gold"
was not actually a color. Over the 20th
century a preferences for lighter shades of
yellow have prevailed.
Ben
Of Hyde
The
darker shades of gold and fox red were re-establised
by English breeders in the 19080s and three
dogs were instrumental in this, Balrion King
Frost, who consistently sire very dark yellow"
offpsring and is credited for having the biggest
influence on re-developing the fox red shade.
His great grandson is the famous Wynfaul
Tabasco. Tabasco is the sire of many modern
fox red Labrados and one of the only modern
fox red show champions in the UK. Other
dogs that have a huge impact are Balrion Red
Alert and Scrimshaw Placido Flamingo.
|
Eng
CH Balrion King Frost
|
Balrion
Red Alert
|
Eng
CH Wynfaul Tabasco
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Today
there are a handful of breeders trying to improve
the fox red gene pool. Its very important that
breeders are not soley breeding only for the
fox red color but breeding to improve the overall
type and quality of the fox red shade. This
includes but not limited to doing all important
health clearances like Hips, Elbows, Heart, Yearly
CERF on eyes, genetic testing for PRA, EIC and
CNM. Any breeder should be able to provide
you with documentation on health clearances.
Click
Here To View Fox Red Photo Gallery
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
- Any deviation from the height prescribed in the Standard.
- A thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any pigment.
- Eye rims without pigment.
- Docking or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage of the
tail.
- Any other color or a combination of colors other than black, yellow or
chocolate as described in the Standard.
Approved February 12, 1994
Effective March 31,
1994 |
