Labrador Retriever Explained

Labrador Retriever
Image Alt:	side view of a yellow dog in a grassy field, facing left
Also Known As:	Labrador
Nickname:	Lab
Country:	United Kingdom
Stock:	St. John's water dog
Maleweight:	65–
Femaleweight:	55–
Maleheight:	56–
Femaleheight:	54–
Coat:	Short, dense, weather-resistant double coat
Colour:	Black, chocolate, or yellow (ranges from pale yellow to fox red)
Kc Name:	The Kennel Club (UK)
Kc Std:	https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/gundog/retriever-labrador/
Fcistd:	http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/122g08-en.pdf
Life Span:	13.1 years

The Labrador Retriever or simply Labrador is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from St. John's water dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland (now a province of Canada), and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the European world.

The Labrador is friendly, energetic, and playful. It was bred as a sporting and hunting dog but is widely kept as a companion dog. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog, or for rescue or therapy work.^[1]

In the 1830s, the 10th Earl of Home and his nephews, the 5th Duke of Buccleuch and Lord John Scott,^[2] imported progenitors of the breed from Newfoundland to Europe for use as gun dogs. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury, who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling.

During the 1880s, the 3rd Earl of Malmesbury, the 6th Duke of Buccleuch, and the 12th Earl of Home collaborated to develop and establish the Labrador Retriever breed. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors.^[3]

History

The Labrador breed dates back to at least the 1830s, when St. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Its early patrons included the Earl of Malmesbury, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Earl of Home, and Sir John Scott. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland, with Charles St. John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer, more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland.^[4] Hawker distinguishes the Newfoundland from both the "proper Labrador" and St. John's breed of these dogs^[4] in the fifth edition of his book Instructions to Young Sportsmen, published in 1846.^[5]

By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever had become common in England.^[6] The liver (now usually called chocolate) Labrador emerged in the late 1800s, with liver-coloured pups documented at the Buccleuch kennels in 1892;^[7] the first yellow Labrador on record was born in 1899 (Ben of Hyde, kennels of Major C.J. Radclyffe).^[8] The breed was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1903.^[9] The first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration was in 1917.^[10]

Characteristics

There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred (bench-bred) lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard.^[11] Significant differences between UK and US standards are noted.

• Size: Labradors are a medium-large breed. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. The AKC standard includes an ideal weight for dogs of 55- and for bitches as 55-. The guidelines for height vary between the AKC, which gives 21.5to for dogs and 21.5to for bitches, The Kennel Club which advises that dogs should be 56to with bitches between 55and,^[12] and the FCI which quotes a range of 56to for dogs with bitches ideal at 54to.^[13]
• Coat: The Labrador Retriever's coat should be short and dense, but not wiry. The coat is water-resistant, so the dog does not get cold when taking to the water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow, and chocolate.^[14]
• Head: The head should be broad with slightly pronounced eyebrows. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and be set slightly above the eyes.
• Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back.
• Body: The body should have a powerful and muscular build.

The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC.^[11] The AKC adds that the "true Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the 'otter' tail."

Colour

See main article: Labrador Retriever coat colour genetics.

Labradors are registered in three colours: Solid black, yellow (anything from creamy white to fox-red), and chocolate (medium to dark brown; originally called "liver").^[15]

Puppies of all colours can occur in the same litter. Coat colour is determined primarily by three genes, called MC1R, Agouti, and CBD103. If a dog carries wild type alleles at all three loci, the dog will have a yellow coat. If a dog has a loss-of-function mutation at MC1R, it will also have a yellow coat, regardless of the genotypes at the other two loci. Dogs carrying wild-type alleles for MC1R and Agouti, together with the black allele of CBD103, will have a black coat.^[16]

According to a 2011 study, 13 out of 245 Labradors studied were heterozygous for the M264V mutation responsible for the melanistic mask, and one was homozygous. Within this breed, the trait cannot be determined simply by appearance.^[17]

Show and field lines

As a result of specialised breeding, there are significant differences between field and trial-bred and show-bred lines of Labradors. In the United States, the former are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "American" and the latter as "English", in fact, both field and show types are bred in both countries and all Labrador Retrievers are descended from British lines.^[18]

Use

Labrador Retrievers have proven to have a high success rate at becoming guide dogs. A study published in 2006, tested the suitability of four different breeds (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever Mix, and German Shepherds) as guide dogs. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. Labrador Retrievers and the Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever Crossbreeds had the highest success rate. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers.^{[19] [20]}

The Labrador Retriever is a gun dog bred to retrieve on land and water.^[21] As a dog specially bred for water retrieving, the Labrador has developed various traits for this job. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a soft mouth, a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it.^[22] And for swimming, the Labrador is aided by fully webbed paws, an otter-like tail, and a waterproof coat.^[23]

The high intelligence, initiative and self-direction of Labradors in working roles is exemplified by dogs such as Endal, who was trained to, if need be, put his human who uses a wheelchair in the recovery position, cover him with a blanket, and activate an emergency phone.^[24] A number of Labradors have also been taught to assist their owner in removing money and credit cards from ATMs with prior training.^[25]

The breed is used in water rescue/lifesaving. It continues in that role today, along with the Leonberger, Newfoundland and Golden Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard.^[26]

In war

Labradors have been used as war dogs. During the Vietnam War they were used as scout dogs to track down dead or wounded soldiers or enemy positions.

Health

Labrador Retrievers have a predisposition to chronic hepatitis.^[27] One UK study found a 4.14 odds ratio.^[28] Some studies report a predilection for Labrador Retriever bitches.^[27] The reason for the predilection is unknown. Ideas proposed include it being hereditary^[29] or environmental.^[30] The Labrador Retriever also shows a predisposition to other hepatobiliary diseases, including: reactive hepatitis, nodular hyperplasia, and gall bladder disease.^[28]

A UK study found the breed's average life expectancy to be 13.1 years.^[31] A joint study by the Royal Veterinary College study and The University of Sydney, concluded that chocolate-coloured Labradors have a shorter average life expectancy than other colours of Labrador (by about 10%) and are more likely to suffer some health problems.^[32] A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 11 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.^[33] A 2005 Swedish study of insurance data found that 25% of Labrador Retrievers died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10.^[34]

Labradors are somewhat prone to hip and elbow dysplasia,^[35] especially in larger dogs.^[36] Eye diseases may include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, corneal dystrophy^[35] and retinal dysplasia.^[37] They can suffer from exercise induced collapse, which causes hyperthermia, weakness, collapse, and disorientation after short bouts of exercise,^[38] or from obesity, which in some cases may be partly due to the absence of part or all of the proopiomelanocortin gene.^{[39] [40]}

The Labrador Retriever is one of the more commonly affected breeds for progressive rod-cone degeneration. An autosomal recessive mutation in the PRCD gene is responsible for the condition in the breed.^[41]

Demography

See main article: List of most popular dog breeds. The Labrador is an exceptionally popular dog. As of 2006, it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world, and it is the most popular dog by ownership in Canada, New Zealand^[42] and the United Kingdom.^[43] In 2006 both the United Kingdom and the United States, there are well over twice as many registered Labradors as the next most popular breed.^{[44] [45]} If the comparison is limited to dog breeds of a similar size, then there are around 3–5 times as many Labradors registered in both countries as the next most popular breeds, the German shepherd dog and Golden retriever.^{[44] [45]}

They are the most popular breed of assistance dog in the United States, Australia, and many other countries,^[46] as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their detection and working abilities. Approximately 60–70% of all guide dogs in the United States are Labradors.

In 2022 Labrador Retrievers were the second most popular breed in the United States.^[47] In 2020 the Labrador was the most popular registered dog breed in New Zealand.^[48]

Seven out of the thirteen "outstanding gundogs" of the Australian National Kennel Council's 2000–2005 appointees to its 'hall of fame' are Labradors.^[49]

Famous Labradors

See main article: List of Labradors.

Notable labradors within various categories include:

Assistance dogs

See main article: Assistance dog.

• Endal, a service dog^[50] in Britain. Among other distinctions, "the most decorated dog in the world" (including "Dog of the Millennium" and the PDSA's Gold Medal for Animal Gallantry and Devotion to Duty), the first dog to ride on the London Eye and the first dog known to work a 'chip and pin' ATM card. By Endal's death in March 2009, he and his owner/handler Allen Parton had been filmed almost 350 times by crews from several countries, and a film of a year in Endal's life was in production.
• Sully, served with former US President George H. W. Bush during the last six months of his life; noted for his role during the president's funeral. A form of Parkinson's disease confined the former president to a wheelchair or motorised scooter in the final years of his life. Among the services that Sully was able to perform for Bush were retrieving dropped items, opening and closing doors, pushing an emergency button and supporting him when standing.^[51]

Police, military, rescue and detection dogs

• Frida (12 April 2009 – 15 November 2022)^[52] was a yellow Labrador Retriever who worked as a search and rescue dog for the Mexican Navy (SEMAR). She was deployed to help the rescue efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters.
• Zanjeer ("Chain", or "Shackles"), a detection dog who detected arms and ammunition used in the 1993 Mumbai (Bombay) serial explosions. During his service, he helped recover 57 country-made bombs, 175 petrol bombs, 11 military-grade armaments, 242 grenades and 600 detonators. His biggest contribution to the police force and the city was the detection of 3,329 kg of RDX. He also helped detect rifles and five 9 mm pistols.
• Lucky and Flo, twin Black Labrador counterfeit-detection dogs who became famous in 2007 for "sniffing out nearly 2 million counterfeit DVDs" on a 6-month secondment to Malaysia in 2007.^[53] Following the multimillion-dollar, 6 arrest Malaysian detection, they became the first dogs to be awarded Malaysia's "outstanding service award"^[54] and software pirates were stated to have put a £30,000 contract out for their lives.^{[55] [56]}
• Sarbi, an Australian special forces explosives detection dog that spent almost 14 months missing in action (MIA) in Afghanistan before being recovered safe and well in 2009.^{[57] [58]}
• Jake, an American black Labrador who served as a search and rescue dog following the September 11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina.^[59]
• Salty and Roselle, awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict. They led their blind owners down more than 70 flights of stairs to escape from the damaged World Trade Center on 11 September 2001^[60]
• Sadie, awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict. She detected explosive devices, which were subsequently disarmed, while serving in Kabul, Afghanistan, in November 2005; she served with the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment^[61]
• Sasha, awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in military conflict. Located 15 improvised explosive devices, mortars, mines, and weapons while serving in Afghanistan, with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps. In July 2008 Sasha and her handler were killed in a Taliban ambush by a rocket-propelled grenade.^{[62] [63]}

Pets

• Former President of the United States Bill Clinton's Labradors Buddy and Seamus.^[64]
• Russian President Vladimir Putin's Labrador 'Konni'.^[65]
• Marley, "The World's Worst Dog", featured in journalist John Grogan's autobiographical book Marley & Me, adapted into a 2008 comedy drama film of the same name.
• Canadian singer Celine Dion's labradors Charlie and Bear. They were represented in numerous magazines with the singer and her family, becoming pets celebrities in their own names.^[66]

Sources

• Book: Douglas, James . 2003 . The Complete Gundog Training Manual . Shrewsbury, UK . Swan Hill Press . 978-1-904057-05-5.
• Book: Fogle, Bruce . Bruce Fogle . 2009 . The Encyclopedia of the Dog . New York, NY . DK Publishing . 195 . 978-0-7566-6004-8.
• Book: Hancock, David . 2013 . Gundogs: Their past, their performance and their prospects . Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK . The Crowood Press Ltd. . 978-1-84797-492-1.
• Book: Hudson, David . 1995 . The Shooting Man's Dog: A complete guide to gundogs . Shrewsbury, UK . Swan Hill Press . 28–32 . 1-85310-560-0.
• Book: Jones . Arthur F. . Hamilton . Ferelith . 1971 . The World Encyclopedia of Dogs . New York, NY . Galahad Books . 238–243 . 0-88365-302-8.
• Web site: Retriever (Labrador) breed standard . January 2018 . thekennelclub.org.uk . The Kennel Club Ltd. . UK . 10 February 2022.
• Book: Kerry V. . Kern . Michele . Earle-Bridges . 1995 . Labrador Retrievers: Everything about purchase, care, nutrition, diseases, breeding, and behavior . Barron's . 978-0-8120-9018-5 . registration . 9 . Internet Archive (archive.org).
• Book: Morris, Desmond . Desmond Morris . 2001 . Dogs: The ultimate dictionary of over 1,000 dog breeds . North Pomfret, VT . Trafalgar Square Publishing . 299–301 . 1-57076-219-8.

Notes and References

1. Web site: AKC Dog Registration Statistics . Akc.org . 4 April 2012 . 9 April 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120511200854/http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm . 11 May 2012 .
2. Article written for The Field, 30 May 1896, 'Labrador Dogs', by John S Kerss
3. Book: The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. . The Official Book of the Labrador Retriever . TFH Publications, Inc. . 1995 . 9780793801886 . Ziessow . Dr. Bernard W. . 1st . 1 TFH Plaza, Third & Union Aves, Neptune, NJ 07753, USA . 24–25 . en . The Labrador Dog . TOBOTL . 2 September 2023.
4. Book: Holland-Hibert. A.. British dogs, their points, selection, and show preparation. Drury. William D.. Upcot Gill. 3. 1903. Ch.XXX - The Labrador. 356–358. https://archive.org/details/britishdogstheir00drurrich/page/356.
5. Book: Hawker. Peter. Instructions to Young Sportsmen in all that relates to Guns and Shooting. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown, and Green. 5. 1846. Dogs. 245. https://archive.org/details/instructionstoy02hawkgoog/page/n269.
6. Web site: Labrador Retriever . vcahospitals.com . Mars Inc. . 1 October 2022.
7. Web site: Best labrador colour: does coat make a difference? . thefield.co.uk . 19 April 2022 . Future Publishing Limited Quay House . 28 May 2023.
8. Book: Warwick . Helen . The NEW Complete Labrador Retriever . Howell Book House . 1986 . 0-87605-230-8 . Third . 230 Park Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10169 . 89 . en . 5 . 2 September 2023.
9. Web site: Ziessow . Bernard . The Labrador Retriever: Origin and Purpose of the Breed . pslra.org . 1 October 2022.
10. Web site: Labrador Retriever Dog Breed Information . akc.org . The American Kennel Club, Inc. . 28 May 2023.
11. Web site: Labrador Retriever Breed Standard . . 31 March 1994. 13 September 2007.
12. http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/109 Retriever (Labrador) Breed Standard
13. http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/122g08-en.pdf Labrador Retriever
14. http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm "Get to Know the Labrador Retriever"
15. Web site: Breed colours . thekennelclub.org.uk . . 10 January 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150110200738/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/colours.aspx?id=2048 . 10 January 2015.
16. Candille . Sophie I. . Kaelin . Christopher B. . Cattanach . Bruce M. . Yu . Bin . Thompson . Darren A. . Nix . Matthew A. . Kerns . Julie A. . Schmutz . Sheila M. . Millhauser . Glenn L. . Barsh . Gregory S. . 2007 . A β-defensin mutation causes black coat colour in domestic dogs . . 318 . 5855 . 1418–1423 . 17947548 . 10.1126/science.1147880 . 2007Sci...318.1418C . 2906624 . 0036-8075.
17. Conant . E.K. . Juras . R. . Cothran . E.G. . 2011 . Incidence of the mask phenotype M264V mutation in Labrador retrievers . Research in Veterinary Science . 91 . 3 . e98–e99 . 10.1016/j.rvsc.2011.02.002 . 21353269.
18. Web site: American Kennel Club. The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.. American vs. English. 2 September 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705101113/http://www.thelabradorclub.com/subpages/show_contents.php?page=English+vs.+American. 5 July 2017. dead.
19. Book: Serpell, James. The Domestic Dog: its Evolution, Behavior and Interactions With People. registration. 1995. Cambridge University Press. 0-521-41529-2.
20. 10.1016/j.jveb.2006.06.004 . Suitability for field service in 4 breeds of guide dogs . 2006 . Ennik . Irma . Liinamo . Anna-Elisa . Leighton . Eldin . Van Arendonk . Johan . Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research . 1 . 2 . 67–74.
21. Web site: 2 November 2019. Why the Labrador Is the World's Most Popular Bird Dog. 27 July 2023. GunDogMag. en.
22. Web site: Your guide to the Labrador Retriever. 27 July 2023. gundog journal. 26 February 2019 . en.
23. Web site: 20 September 2019. 8 Things To Know About Labrador Retrievers. 27 July 2023. AKC. en.
24. News: Blystone . Richard . Mallary Gelb . Assistance dogs are trained as partners for the disabled . CNN.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20130517024250/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/HEALTH/08/10/super.dog/index.html . 17 May 2013. 10 August 2000.
25. Web site: thought this was Bark-lays bank . 28 February 2007. Metro . 28 February 2007 .
26. News: Manetti. Francesco. Italian school teaches dogs to become lifeguards. 14 February 2017. Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. 23 August 2010.
27. Bexfield . Nick . Canine Idiopathic Chronic Hepatitis . Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice . 47 . 3 . 2017 . 10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.11.012 . 645–663.
28. Bandara . Y. . Bayton . W. A. . Williams . T. L. . Scase . T. . Bexfield . N. H. . Histopathological frequency of canine hepatobiliary disease in the United Kingdom . Journal of Small Animal Practice . 62 . 9 . 2021 . 0022-4510 . 10.1111/jsap.13354 . 730–736.
29. Hoffmann . G. . van den Ingh . T.S.G.A.M. . Bode . P. . Rothuizen . J. . Copper‐Associated Chronic Hepatitis in Labrador Retrievers . Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine . 20 . 4 . 2006 . 0891-6640 . 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2006.tb01798.x . 856–861.
30. Johnston . Andrea N. . Center . Sharon A. . McDonough . Sean P. . Wakshlag . Joseph J. . Warner . Karen L. . Hepatic copper concentrations in Labrador Retrievers with and without chronic hepatitis: 72 cases (1980–2010) . Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association . 242 . 3 . 2013-02-01 . 0003-1488 . 10.2460/javma.242.3.372 . 372–380.
31. McMillan. K. M.. Bielby. J.. Williams. C.L.. Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death. Scientific Reports. 2024. 14. 1 . 531. 10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w. 38302530 . 10834484. 2024NatSR..14..531M . Supplementary Table 3
32. Web site: Chocolate Labradors have a shorter lifespan than rest of the breed. 22 October 2018. VetCompassTM and the University of Sydney Study. Royal Veterinary College.
33. Roccaro . Mariana . Salini . Romolo . Pietra . Marco . Sgorbini . Micaela . Gori . Eleonora . Dondi . Maurizio . Crisi . Paolo E. . Conte . Annamaria . Dalla Villa . Paolo . Podaliri . Michele . Ciaramella . Paolo . Di Palma . Cristina . Passantino . Annamaria . Porciello . Francesco . Gianella . Paola . Guglielmini . Carlo . Alborali . Giovanni L. . Rota Nodari . Sara . Sabatelli . Sonia . Peli . Angelo . Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy . Preventive Veterinary Medicine . 225 . 2024 . 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106155 . 106155. free . 11585/961937 . free .
34. Egenvall . A . Bonnett . Bn . Hedhammar . å . Olson . P . Mortality in over 350,000 Insured Swedish Dogs from 1995–2000: II. Breed-Specific Age and Survival Patterns and Relative Risk for Causes of Death . Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica . 46 . 3 . 2005-09-30 . 1751-0147 . 16261925 . 1624818 . 10.1186/1751-0147-46-121 . free .
35. Web site: Labrador Retriever . Canine Inherited Disorders Database . 14 September 2007. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927174957/http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/breeds/labradorretriever2.htm . 27 September 2007.
36. Newton, C. D.; Nunamaker, D. M. (Eds.) "Textbook of Small Animal Orthopaedics ." Published by the International Veterinary Information Service (Riser, Rhodes and Newton). p. 2.
37. Web site: Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1 . pawprintgenetics.com . 2 October 2022.
38. Taylor . SM . Shmon . CL . Shelton . GD . Patterson . EE . Minor . K . Mickelson . JR . Exercise Induced Collapse of Labrador Retrievers: Survey results and preliminary investigation of heritability . J Am Anim Hosp Assoc . 2008 . 44 . 6 . 295–301. 10.5326/0440295 . 18981194 .
39. Raffan. Eleanor. 10 May 2016. A Deletion in the Canine POMC Gene Is Associated with Weight and Appetite in Obesity-Prone Labrador Retriever Dogs. Cell Metabolism. 23. 5. 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.04.012. 27157046. 893–900. 4873617.
40. News: The Lab Results Are In: Genes Might Be to Blame for Retrievers' Obesity. Freytas-tamura. Kimiko De. 5 July 2016. The New York Times. 0362-4331. 6 July 2016.
41. Book: James A.C. . Oliver . Cathryn S. . Mellersh . Barbara . Cooper . Elizabeth . Mullineaux . Lynn . Turner . BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing . 2020 . British Small Animal Veterinary Association . 978-1-910-44339-2 . Sixth. Genetics. 131.
42. Web site: New Zealand: Leading dog breeds . 2019 . Statista.com . Statistica Research . registration . 5 May 2023 . en.
43. Web site: UK: Top 20 dog breeds by registered number 2021 . 2022 . Statista.com . Statistica Research . registration . 5 May 2023 . en.
44. Web site: Registration statistics for all recognised dog breeds, 2005 and 2006 . 2006 . thekennelclub.org.uk . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090904034036/http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=926&d=pg_dtl_art_news&h=238&f=0 . 4 September 2009 . 13 September 2007.
45. Web site: AKC Dog Registration Statistics . 2006 . AKC.org . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070909132539/http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats_2006.cfm . 9 September 2007 . 13 September 2007 .
46. Book: Alecia T. . Devantier . Carol . Turkington . 2007 . Extraordinary Jobs with Animals . Ferguson . 978-1-4381-1170-4 . 20 . registration . Labrador retriever: Most popular breed of assistance dog..
47. Web site: Most Popular Dog Breeds 2022 . American Kennel Club . 12 March 2024.
48. Web site: Kirkness . Luke . Figures reveal the dog capital of New Zealand and most popular breeds . New Zealand Herald . The Herald . 12 March 2024.
49. Web site: ANKC hall of fame . 2000–2005 . ankc.aust.com . . 13 September 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070919113122/http://www.ankc.aust.com/hall_of_fame.html . 19 September 2007.
50. Web site: Endal the super dog . Edition.cnn.com . 10 August 2000 . 6 August 2014.
51. ‘Mission complete’: Sully, Bush’s service dog, stays at the former president’s side for one last journey. (3 December 2018). The Seattle Times. https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/mission-complete-sully-bushs-service-dog-stays-at-former-presidents-side-for-one-last-journey/
52. News: Murió Frida, perrita rescatista de la Marina . es . 15 November 2022 . Excélsior (excelsior.com.mx) . Mexico. 16 November 2022.
53. News: Police dogs sniff for pirated DVDs . 10 May 2006. ABC News (abcnews.go.com) . 17 September 2007.
54. News: Blass . Evan . 20 August 2007. DVD-sniffing dogs awarded medals, returning to NYC . . 17 September 2007.
55. News: Chan . Sewell . 28 August 2007. Fresh off Malaysian triumph, DVD-sniffing dogs tackle New York . . Cityroom . blog . 17 September 2007.
56. News: Blass . Evan . 22 March 2007. DVD pirates put out hits on Lucky and Flo the crime dogs . . 17 September 2007.
57. Australian dog returns home after a year in the wilderness . 12 November 2009. . defence.gov.au, Defence Media Release . 14 November 2009 . dead . https://archive.today/20121127022136/http://www.defence.gov.au/media/DepartmentalTpl.cfm?CurrentId=9698 . 27 November 2012.
58. News: Handler never gave up on lost army dog . 12 November 2009. . . 14 November 2009 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20091115020852/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/12/2741352.htm . 15 November 2009.
59. News: Nick . Glagola . 27 July 2007. Jake, the rescue dog: An impressive life . NPR.org . . 18 November 2013.
60. Life saving: Animals' war photos . . London, UK . london.iwm.org.uk . 17 January 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090108200858/http://london.iwm.org.uk/upload/package/74/AnimalsWar/images/AnimalsWarPhotos.pdf . 8 January 2009.
61. News: In pictures: Sadie the hero dog gets a medal . 6 February 2007. . . 27 February 2010.
62. News: Army dog killed in Afghanistan given posthumous medal . 29 April 2014. . . 29 April 2014.
63. News: British army dog awarded bravery medal for work in Afghanistan . 29 April 2014. . London, UK . 29 April 2014.
64. Friend of Bill. People. 2002. 57. 2.
65. Web site: Putin's Pooches . russianlife.org . 2 October 2022.
66. Web site: Céline Dion Shared a Rare Photo of Her Three Sons . 10 May 2021 . 10 May 2021.