Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Labrador Retriever originated on the island of Newfoundland, where it was used by fishermen to retrieve equipment, pull nets, and assist in rescuing people from cold water. In the early 19th century, the breed was imported to Great Britain, where systematic selection began, focused on preserving working ability, a soft mouth, a stable temperament, and reliable manageability. The Labrador quickly gained recognition as a versatile dog capable of working on land and in water. In the 20th century, the breed was employed in search and rescue services, canine units, and as a guide dog. Today, the Labrador is known worldwide for its even temperament, trainability, and high social orientation.
General Appearance
The Labrador is a strong, harmoniously built medium-sized dog, giving an impression of power without coarseness and mobility without lightness. The body is deep and compact, the topline straight and stable. The head is broad with a soft, friendly expression. The ribcage is spacious, with long, well-arched ribs. The limbs are straight, with strong bone, providing confident movement and stability. The tail is thick at the base, resembling an “otter tail,” carried level with the topline and never curled. The coat is short, dense, water-repellent, with a well-developed undercoat. The overall impression emphasizes functionality, endurance, and the breed’s stable temperament.
Important Proportions
Height at the withers and body length are close in ratio; the format is slightly elongated but remains compact and balanced. Chest depth reaches the elbow, providing sufficient lung capacity. The skull is broad; the muzzle makes up approximately two-thirds of the head length, maintaining correct proportions. The neck is strong and of moderate length, blending smoothly into the shoulders. The limbs are proportional to the body, with balanced angulation ensuring free and economical movement. The tail continues the topline without kinks or curl. Excessive body length, light bone, or heaviness that disrupts harmony and functionality are unacceptable.
Behavior and Temperament
The Labrador is a balanced, friendly, and people-oriented breed with a stable psyche. In daily life, it displays a gentle temperament, strong social orientation, and tolerance toward children and other animals. It is not prone to aggression or fearfulness, though without training may show excessive friendliness. In work, it is energetic and attentive, with strong retrieving and searching instinct, maintaining motivation even under extended physical load. Highly trainable, but requires consistent guidance and regular activity. Lack of exercise may lead to boredom, overeating, and unwanted behaviors, making physical and mental stimulation essential.
Head
The head is broad but not coarse, with smooth lines and a characteristic soft expression. The skull is broad, slightly rounded, with a moderate stop and no abrupt transitions. The muzzle is of medium length, strong, almost square, neither pointed nor shortened. Lips are close-fitting, not loose; slight droop at the corners is acceptable without excess. The nose is large with well-open nostrils and strong pigmentation. Cheeks are not prominent. The jaws are strong, with a scissor bite, ensuring a soft mouth for retrieving without damage. The head must remain balanced, never overly refined or excessively massive.
Facial Region
The muzzle is deep and evenly filled along its entire length; width tapers gradually toward the nose without narrowing to a point. The bridge of the nose is straight. Lips are close-fitting, without excessive looseness; minimal droop at the corners is allowed. The chin is defined but not coarse, maintaining a smooth profile. Skin is tight, without folds. Whiskers are moderate and do not obscure the outline. Excessive narrowness, dryness, coarseness, or looseness, as well as an elongated or shortened muzzle disrupting breed type, are unacceptable. The facial region must emphasize functionality and the breed’s soft expression.
Eyes
Eyes are medium-sized, set moderately deep, ranging from round to slightly oval, creating the soft, kind expression typical of the breed. Color ranges from dark brown to hazel; lighter shades are acceptable in lighter coats but must not appear glassy or harsh. Eyelids are dry, tight, with complete and even pigmentation. The sclera is barely visible. Protruding or sunken eyes, excessive tearing, irritation, entropion or ectropion, and aggressive or fearful expressions are unacceptable, as they contradict the Labrador’s characteristic steadiness.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, set slightly above eye level, hanging close to the cheeks without standing away or creating excess bulk. The base is set well back, emphasizing skull width and soft expression. Tips are rounded, reaching approximately to the corner of the mouth, but must not be too long or heavy. Skin is thin and elastic; coat coverage is moderate without heaviness. High-set, short, rigid, or overly large ears that disrupt head balance and breed type are unacceptable. The ears must enhance the soft expression without dominating the appearance.
Neck
The neck is strong, of medium length, dry and muscular, with a smooth upper arch and a well-defined transition into the shoulders. Skin is firm, without a dewlap; minimal looseness is acceptable without affecting overall type. Neck length supports free head carriage, correct front reach, and effective work in retrieving and swimming. A short, thick, or loose neck disrupting proportions or restricting movement is unacceptable. The neck must emphasize body harmony and functionality, maintaining strength without heaviness and lightness without frailty.
Body
The body of the Labrador is strong, deep, and compact, without looseness or excessive mass. The withers are well defined; the back is straight and firm, without dip or arch, and must remain stable in movement. The loin is short, muscular, slightly arched, contributing to drive transmission. The croup is broad and slightly sloping, allowing powerful and steady movement. The ribcage is spacious, with long and well-arched ribs reaching the elbow, providing sufficient respiratory capacity. The abdomen is moderately tucked without dryness or exaggeration. Narrow chest, weak back, excessive length, or looseness disrupting balance and working structure are unacceptable.
Tail
The tail is thick at the base, gradually tapering to the tip, of medium length, resembling an “otter tail,” and is a distinguishing feature of the breed. Carried level with the topline, hanging when relaxed, rising in motion but never curled over the back or forming a ring. Coat is dense but without feathering or ornamentation, emphasizing functionality. Docking is not permitted. Excessively thin, short, high-carried, curled, or broken tails, and excessive wagging that disrupts balance or expression are unacceptable. The tail must continue the topline and remain natural.
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight and parallel, with strong bone and well-developed musculature. Shoulder blades are long, well-laid back, fitting closely and forming correct angulation with the upper arm, ensuring free and economical reach. Upper arm is of equal length; elbows point backward, neither turning out nor in. Pasterns are strong, slightly sloping, neither weak nor upright. Feet are round, compact, with well-arched toes, thick pads, and strong nails. Weak bone, toeing in or out, narrow front, weak pasterns, flat feet, or incorrect alignment impairing movement and stability are unacceptable.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are powerful and muscular, with well-defined angulation, providing strong drive and stability in movement. Thighs are broad and long; lower legs strong; hocks are low-set, supporting correct biomechanics and smooth gait. Feet are round, compact, with well-arched toes, parallel when standing and moving. Weak ligaments, straight hindquarters, cow hocks, toeing out, narrow stance, instability, or marked lameness are unacceptable. Hindquarters must balance the forequarters, providing endurance and ability for prolonged work without heaviness or lightness.
Gait and Movement
Labrador movement is free and economical, with a long stride and steady rhythm. At the trot, the topline remains firm without sway or dip. Forelegs move straight forward without flicking or crossing; hindquarters provide drive and forward momentum. Movement must demonstrate working functionality, without tension, short steps, or mincing action. Slight head carriage change during search work is acceptable. Stiffness, instability, narrow gait, poor coordination, high stepping, or defects affecting balance and efficiency are unacceptable.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, straight, and close-lying, with pronounced water-repellent properties. The undercoat is thick but not woolly, increasing in colder seasons, protecting against moisture and low temperatures. The coat must not be long, soft, wavy, or curly. Slight thickening on the tail is acceptable without feathering. Sparse, open coat, absence of undercoat, pronounced fluffiness, or decorative appearance disrupting functionality are unacceptable. The coat must dry easily and retain protective qualities in water and on land, reflecting the breed’s natural purpose.
Accepted Colors
Accepted Labrador colors are solid black, yellow, and chocolate. Yellow ranges from nearly white to fox-red and deep cream, with nose, lips, and eyelids requiring dark pigmentation. In yellow and chocolate dogs, gradual lightening with age is acceptable, but not spotting or uneven patches. White markings are allowed only on the chest and in minimal amount. Brindle, spotted, merle, gray, silver, or two-toned coloration, as well as absence of pigmentation, are unacceptable. Color must be uniform and within standard without deviation.
Size
Height at the withers for males is approximately 56–57 cm, for females 54–56 cm, maintaining harmonious proportions and strong format. Weight must correspond to bone and working purpose: dogs must not be overly heavy or light. The Labrador must retain endurance, mobility, and ability for extended work, so excessive weight is considered a fault. Extreme height deviations affecting functionality, excessive lightness or heaviness, and pronounced body elongation are unacceptable. Size must emphasize working type rather than ornamentation and remain within standard limits.
Faults
Faults include deviations that do not critically affect health but disrupt breed type. Undesirable features include looseness, excess weight, weak bone, narrow chest, disturbed topline, long or short muzzle, light eyes, incomplete pigmentation of nose or eyelids. Additional faults include weak pasterns, toeing in or out, shortened stride, insufficient “otter tail” expression, shyness, or excessive excitability. Evaluation depends on severity and impact on function, with priority given to working type and stable temperament.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include unprovoked aggression or marked fearfulness, lack of breed type, albinism, total depigmentation of the nose, severe entropion or ectropion, bite defects affecting function, missing teeth beyond age allowance, docked tail, long or curly coat, absence of undercoat, and any non-standard color including silver, brindle, spotted, or merle. Congenital limb deformities, persistent lameness, seizures, health-threatening defects, and conditions preventing performance of working tasks also result in disqualification.
Important Notes
The Labrador requires early socialization, regular physical and mental exercise, weight control, and proper feeding management. The breed is unsuitable for sedentary lifestyles or limited space without activity. Intentional breeding toward ornamental type, reduced working ability, or extreme mass is unacceptable. Maintaining proper condition and preventive care of ears, skin, and joints is essential. Labradors must live within a family environment with interaction, as prolonged isolation may lead to stress.
Conclusion
The Labrador is a versatile, balanced, and socially oriented breed, combining working qualities with a reliable temperament. Due to its trainability and stable psyche, the breed is suitable for families, assistance roles, and search-and-rescue tasks. With proper training and regular activity, the Labrador demonstrates endurance, stability, and devotion to humans. The breed is not intended for low-activity living and requires owner involvement. Preservation of working qualities remains the primary breeding priority.
