12/10/2023
This is the Breed Standard from the CKC website as set by the Labrador Retrieve Club of Canada.
Retriever (Labrador)
The breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed, and
ensures that a dog can carry out its original purpose. Breeders and judges should be mindful to
prioritize dogs that are healthy and sound in both mind and body.
Origin and Purpose
The Labrador Retriever originated and developed on the island of Newfoundland as an all purpose
waterdog and functional retriever. The breed was preserved in England after anti-dog legislation
almost decimated the breed in its homeland. The breed is noted for its love of retrieving and water, for
its excellent nose, soft mouth, intelligence and biddable temperament. Extraordinary versatility allows
Labradors to excel as hunting, service, and therapy dogs; in search and rescues; in drug and bomb
detection; as family companions, and in performance and field events.
General Appearance
Medium sized, strongly built, compact, short-coupled, powerful, athletic; broad in skull; broad and
deep through chest and ribs; broad and powerful over loins and hindquarters. A water-resistant double
coat, otter tail, and sound temperament are essential breed characteristics.
Proportion and Size
Proportions: Distance from withers to elbow approximately equal to distance from elbow to ground;
length from point of shoulder to point of rump very slightly longer than height at withers. A wellbalanced
dog is the ideal.
Size: Ideal height at withers: dogs 57-62 cm (22 ½-24 ½ in); bi***es 55-60 cm (21½-23 ½ in).
Weight commensurate with height and with the breed’s function as a medium-sized, powerful, active
retriever. Approximate weights: dogs 27-36 kg (60-80 lb); bi***es 25-34 kg (55-75 lb).
Coat and Colour
Coat distinctive feature: Outer coat short, straight, although a slight wave down the back is also
correct; dense without feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; soft, dense weather-resistant
undercoat.
Colour: Wholly black, yellow or chocolate. Small white spot on chest permissible. Yellows range from
light cream to fox red with variations in the shadings on ears, under parts, hocks, and down the back.
Chocolates range from light to dark chocolate. Any other colour, combination of colours or diluted
colour is a disqualification.
Pigmentation: Black in blacks and yellows; brown or liver in chocolates. Pigmentation fading to a
lighter shade in yellows not to be penalized.
Head
Head and skull: A kindly, gentle expression is characteristic of the breed. Skull broad with defined
stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Muzzle of medium length, powerful, not snipey. Muzzle and
skull on parallel planes and of approximately equal lengths. Nose wide; nostrils well developed. Eyes:
Medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper; almond or diamond shape, not round; colour
dark brown or hazel. Ears: Medium sized; hanging close to head and set rather far back. Mouth: Jaws
and teeth strong; scissors bite.
Neck
Clean, strong, medium length, good reach; set into well-placed shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulders long and sloping. Forelegs well b***d and straight from elbow to ground when viewed from
either front or side. Legs of medium length, not short. Pasterns: Strong, short, sloping slightly from
the perpendicular. Feet: Compact, round, medium sized; well- arched toes; well-developed pads.
Body
Chest of good width and depth; well-sprung ribs. Brisket extends to the elbows. Straight, level topline.
Loins wide, short-coupled and strong.
Hindquarters
Well developed, great power, not sloping to tail; well-turned stifle. Hocks well let down; cowhocks
highly undesirable.
Tail
Tail distinctive feature: Very thick towards base, straight, gradually tapering towards tip, medium
length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with thick, dense coat, giving ‘‘rounded’’
appearance described as ‘‘otter’’ tail. Tail may be carried ‘happily’ but not at more than a 35o angle with
the back. Tail an extension of the topline and balances the dog.
Gait/Movement
Free, effortless, powerful, covering adequate ground with good reach and drive; straight and true in
front and rear. Tending to converge at higher speeds.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing ideal should be considered a fault. The seriousness with which the
fault should be regarded must be in proportion to its degree and its effect upon the dog’s health and
well-being and the breed’s traditional purpose as a working retriever.
Disqualification
Any colour other than black, yellow, or chocolate
Any diluted colour or any combination of colours other than as described.
Breed Name: Labrador Retriever
Year of Recognition: 1905
Effective Date: January 2021
CKC Official Breed Standard - RETRIEVER (LABRADOR)
