The Labrador Retriever - Breed Standard

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BREED STANDARD

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

1. Any deviation from the height prescribed in the Standard.
2. A thoroughly pink nose or one lacking in any pigment.
3. Eye rims without pigment.
4. Docking or otherwise altering the length or natural carriage of the tail.
5. Any other color or a combination of colors other than black, yellow or chocolate as described in the Standard.

AKC Dog Registration Statistics

American Kennel Club 2012 Dog Registration Statistics
Historical Comparisons & Notable Trends

	RANKING
BREED	2012	2011	2007	2002
Labrador Retrievers	1	1	1	1
German Shepherd Dogs	2	2	3	3
Golden Retrievers	3	4	4	2
Beagles	4	3	5	4
Bulldogs	5	6	10	18
Yorkshire Terriers	6	5	2	6
Boxers	7	7	6	7
Poodles	8	8	8	8
Rottweilers	9	10	15	13
Dachshunds	10	9	7	5
Shih Tzu	11	11	9	10
Doberman Pinschers	12	13	21	23
Miniature Schnauzers	13	12	11	11
French Bulldogs	14	18	34	58
German Shorthaired Pointers	15	15	18	22
Siberian Huskies	16	16	24	21
Great Danes	17	19	23	28
Chihuahuas	18	14	12	9
Pomeranians	19	17	13	12
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels	20	21	25	40
Shetland Sheepdogs	21	20	20	16
Australian Shepherds	22	24	33	35
Boston Terriers	23	22	16	17
Pembroke Welsh Corgis	24	25	22	25
Maltese	25	23	19	20
Mastiffs	26	28	28	34
Cocker Spaniels	27	27	17	15
Havanese	28	31	37	64
English Springer Spaniels	29	29	27	27
Pugs	30	26	14	14
Brittanys	31	30	29	30
Weimaraners	32	32	30	29
Bernese Mountain Dogs	33	34	41	51
Vizslas	34	37	42	46
Collies	35	36	38	32
West Highland White Terriers	36	35	35	31
Papillons	37	38	36	38
Bichons Frises	38	39	32	26
Bullmastiffs	39	40	40	47
Basset Hounds	40	41	31	24
Rhodesian Ridgebacks	41	44	53	57
Newfoundlands	42	43	44	45
Russell Terriers**	43	N/A	N/A	N/A
Border Collies	44	45	54	63
Akitas	45	47	51	41
Chesapeake Bay Retrievers	46	46	47	42
Miniature Pinschers	47	42	26	19
Bloodhounds	48	48	43	49
St. Bernards	49	49	39	37
Shiba Inu	50	53	67	55
Bull Terriers	51	51	58	79
Chinese Shar-Pei	52	50	46	39
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers	53	52	62	56
Airedale Terriers	54	55	55	48
Portuguese Water Dogs	55	56	65	73
Whippets	56	57	61	60
Alaskan Malamutes	57	58	56	53
Scottish Terriers	58	54	45	44
Australian Cattle Dogs	59	60	64	71
Cane Corso	60	67	N/A	N/A
Lhasa Apsos	61	62	49	36
Chinese Crested	62	61	52	62
Cairn Terriers	63	59	48	43
English Cocker Spaniels	64	63	69	75
Dalmatians	65	73	77	68
Italian Greyhounds	66	65	59	52
Dogues de Bordeaux	67	66	N/A	N/A
Samoyeds	68	69	73	69
Chow Chows	69	68	63	54
German Wirehaired Pointers	70	75	70	76
Belgian Malinois	71	74	79	90
Great Pyrenees	72	71	57	50
Pekingese	73	64	50	33
Irish Setters	74	70	66	59
Cardigan Welsh Corgis	75	81	78	82
Staffordshire Bull Terriers	76	76	85	91
Irish Wolfhounds	77	79	80	83
Old English Sheepdogs	78	84	72	67
American Staffordshire Terriers	79	72	68	61
Bouviers des Flandres	80	83	84	81
Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs	81	82	90	97
Japanese Chin	82	78	71	74
Tibetan Terriers	83	86	92	92
Brussels Griffons	84	77	60	78
Wirehaired Pointing Griffons	85	92	105	113
Border Terriers	86	80	81	86
English Setters	87	87	93	94
Basenjis	88	93	89	77
Standard Schnauzers	89	91	102	101
Silky Terriers	90	85	74	66
Flat-Coated Retrievers	91	90	100	98
Norwich Terriers	92	89	95	102
Afghan Hounds	93	88	94	89
Giant Schnauzers	94	95	83	80
Borzois	95	102	98	88
Wire Fox Terriers	96	100	82	70
Parson Russell Terriers	97	97	75	65
Schipperkes	98	105	86	72
Gordon Setters	99	94	91	84
Treeing Walker Coonhounds**	100	N/A	N/A	N/A
Keeshonden	101	98	99	85
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers	102	107	110	N/A
Toy Fox Terriers	103	101	88	N/A
Leonbergers	104	103	N/A	N/A
Norwegian Elkhounds	105	96	96	87
Belgian Tervuren	106	108	103	104
Anatolian Shepherd Dogs	107	111	111	126
Welsh Terriers	108	99	97	93
Black and Tan Coonhounds	109	109	136	125
Pointers	110	115	106	99
Tibetan Spaniels	111	114	104	100
Neapolitan Mastiffs	112	110	115	N/A
American Eskimo Dogs	113	116	109	103
Spinoni Italiani	114	123	117	114
Smooth Fox Terriers	115	113	101	95
Boykin Spaniels	116	138	N/A	N/A
Bearded Collies	117	112	107	96
Salukis	118	117	118	108
Norfolk Terriers	119	120	112	110
Black Russian Terriers	120	128	131	N/A
Manchester Terriers	121	119	113	107
Briards	122	125	123	115
Australian Terriers	123	121	108	106
Belgian Sheepdogs	124	118	119	109
Welsh Springer Spaniels	125	130	124	112
Miniature Bull Terriers	126	127	127	132
Petits Bassets Griffons Vendeens	127	131	120	116
Kerry Blue Terriers	128	124	114	105
Tibetan Mastiffs	129	122	128	N/A
Irish Terriers	130	132	126	111
Clumber Spaniels	131	133	122	120
Redbone Coonhounds	132	126	N/A	N/A
Bluetick Coonhounds	133	136	N/A	N/A
English Toy Spaniels	134	129	121	121
Lakeland Terriers	135	135	130	124
German Pinschers	136	137	135	N/A
Xoloitzcuintli	137	155	N/A	N/A
Affenpinschers	138	139	125	117
Scottish Deerhounds	139	142	137	122
Beaucerons	140	144	76	N/A
American Water Spaniels	141	157	138	119
Ibizan Hounds	142	149	140	144
Icelandic Sheepdogs	143	143	N/A	N/A
Bedlington Terriers	144	134	129	118
Pulik	145	156	141	129
Greyhounds	146	140	133	123
Field Spaniels	147	141	132	131
Swedish Vallhunds	148	153	87	N/A
American English Coonhounds	149	33	N/A	N/A
Plotts	150	145	116	N/A
Kuvaszok	151	148	134	127
Polish Lowland Sheepdogs	152	159	142	133
Curly-Coated Retrievers	153	154	143	128
Irish Water Spaniels	154	150	147	134
Irish Red and White Setters	155	147	N/A	N/A
Lowchen	156	152	139	130
Entlebucher Mountain Dogs	157	146	N/A	N/A
Pharaoh Hounds	158	151	145	135
Canaan Dogs	159	168	153	138
Finnish Spitz	160	167	151	143
Sealyham Terriers	161	163	146	137
Glen of Imaal Terriers	162	158	149	N/A
Norwegian Buhunds	163	165	N/A	N/A
Finnish Lapphunds	164	104	N/A	N/A
Pyrenean Shepherds	165	162	N/A	N/A
Skye Terriers	166	164	152	142
Sussex Spaniels	167	161	154	136
Otterhounds	168	169	156	147
Komondorok	169	166	144	141
Dandie Dinmont Terriers	170	160	148	139
Harriers	171	172	150	146
American Foxhounds	172	173	155	140
Norwegian Lundehunds	173	170	N/A	N/A
Cesky Terriers	174	106	N/A	N/A
English Foxhounds	175	171	157	145

English Cocker Spaniel - Breed Standard

General Appearance:That of a merry, sturdy, sporting dog. The Cocker Spaniel should be well balanced and compact and should measure about the same from the withers to the ground as from the withers to the root of the tail.

Head and Skull:There should be a good square muzzle with a distinct stop which should be mid-way between the tip of the nose and the occiput. The skull should be well-developed, cleanly chiselled, neither too fine nor too coarse. The cheek bones should not be prominent. The nose should be sufficiently wide to allow for the acute scenting power of this breed.

Eyes:The eyes should be full but not prominent, brown or dark brown in colour but never light, with a general expression of intelligence and gentleness though decidedly wide awake, bright and merry. The rims should be tight.

Ears:Lobular, set on low, on a level with the eyes, with fine leathers which extend to but not beyond the tip of the nose; well clothed with long silky hair which should be straight.

Mouth:Jaws should be strong and teeth should have a scissor bite.

Neck:Neck should be moderate in length, clean in throat, muscular and neatly set in to fine, sloping shoulders.

Forequarters:The shoulders should be sloping and fine, the chest well developed and the brisket deep, neither too wide nor too narrow in front. The legs must be well boned, feathered and straight and should be sufficiently short for concentrated power but not too short to interfere with the tremendous exertions expected from this grand little sporting dog.

Body:Body should be immensely strong and compact for the size and weight of the dog. The ribs should be well sprung behind the shoulder blades, the loin short, wide and strong, with a firm topline gently sloping downwards to the tail.

Hindquarters:Hindquarters should be wide, well rounded and very muscular. The legs must be well boned, feathered above the hock with a good bend of stifles and short below the hock allowing for plenty of drive.

Feet:Feet should be firm, thickly padded and catlike.

Tail:Tail should be set on slightly lower than the line of the back; it must be merry, carried in line with the back and never cocked up. The tail should not be docked too long nor too short to interfere with its merry action.

Coat:Flat and silky in texture, never wiry or wavy, with sufficient feather; not too profuse and never curly.

Colour:Various. In self-colours no white is allowed except on the chest.

Gait:There should be true through action both fore and aft with great drive covering the ground well.

Weight and Size:The weight should be about 12.7 - 14.5 kg (28 - 32 lb). The height at the withers should be approximately Dogs: 39 - 41 cm (15.5 - 16 in) Bitches: 38 - 39 cm (15 - 15.5 in)

Faults:Light bone; straight shoulder; flat ribs; unsound movement; weak hocks; weak pasterns; open or large feet; frown; small beady eyes; undershot or overshot mouth; uncertain or aggressive temperament.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum

Lhasa Apso - Lhasa Apso Breed Standard

General Appearance
Well balanced, sturdy, heavily coated, without excess.

Characteristics
Gay and assertive.

Temperament
Alert, steady but somewhat aloof with strangers.

Head and Skull
Head furnishings with fall over eyes, but not effecting the dog's ability to see, good whiskers and beard. Skull moderately narrow, falling away behind eyes, not quite flat, but not domed or apple headed. Straight foreface with medium stop. Nose black. Muzzle about 4 cms (11/2 ins), but not square; length from tip of nose roughly one third total length from nose to back of skull.

Eyes
Dark. Medium size, frontally placed, oval, neither large nor full, nor small and sunk. No white showing at base or top.

Ears
Pendant, heavily feathered.

Mouth
Upper incisors close just inside lower i.e. reverse scissor bite. Incisors in a broad and as straight a line as possible. Full dentition desirable.

Neck
Strong and well arched.

Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back. Forelegs straight, heavily furnished with hair.

Body
Length from point of shoulders to point of buttocks greater than height at withers. Ribs extending well back. Level topline. Strong loin. Balanced and compact.

Hindquarters
Well developed with good muscle. Good angulation. Heavily furnished with hair. Hocks when viewed from behind parallel and not too close together.

Feet
Round, cat-like with firm pads. Well feathered.

Tail
High-set, carried well over back but not like a pot-hook. Often a kink at end. Well feathered.

Gait/Movement
Free and jaunty.

Coat
Top coat long, heavy, straight, hard neither woolly nor silky. Moderate undercoat.  Coat never impeding action.

Colour
Golden, sandy, honey, dark grizzle, slate, smoke, parti-colour, black, white or brown. All equally acceptable.

Size
Ideal height: dogs: 25cms (10 ins) at shoulders; bitches slightly smaller.

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

POEM - JUST A DOG

                                                    
                                                               JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

 Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought aobut by
"just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch
of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you probably understand
phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship,
trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience
that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look
longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a Person"

                                                         ~Unknown Author~