This two and a half year old Chocolate Laborador Retriever is in high spirits today because he's playing fetch in the lake with his master. At other times, though, he has the calmer disposition that Labs are generally known for, like being great around kids.
Labradors are the most popular breed in the US and around the world*. There are three main types: Black Labrador, Yellow Labrador (the most common), and Chocolate Labrador.
Oddly, they originated from Newfoundland, not Labrador. Newfoundland is an island in the Atlantic off the coast of northeastern Canada, and Labrador is on the mainland adjacent to it. Together, they form the Canadian province of "Newfoundland and Labrador."
The St. John's Water Dog, ancestor of the Labrador Retriever, was used in Newfoundland for pulling fishing nets to shore. When the English subsequently started importing the dogs they referred to them by their region of origin in Newfoundland, known as "the Labrador" region. Hence the name confusion.
Labs are famous for their happy dispositions and intelligence. Being highly trainable, Labs are widely used as detection dogs, search-and-rescue, military and police, and as seeing-eye dogs. And they are great swimmers due to their webbed toes and somewhat waterproof coat. This particular guy is a pet, not a worker. But at my last company, Lisa, a co-worker, trained Labs as search-and-rescue and cadaver dogs in her off-time. She would occasionally bring the pups in to work for socialization purposes, where they would (usually) lounge quietly under her desk.
Three mile early morning jog.
[Photos: taken near the North Shoreline Picnic Area of Almaden Lake today. Click to enlarge.]
* As measured by AKC registration.
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