The Labrador Retriever - And Its American History

There are few breeds among dogs that have achieved the success of the Labrador retriever which has held first place in the most popular American dog stakes for the last 15 years.  In excess of 137,000 Labradors are registered with the American Kennel Club.  In the novel, Chesapeake, Sir James Michener wrote about a new breed of dog which had arrived in Maryland during the early 19th century.  The first registered Labrador retriever in the American Kennel Club appeared in 1917 and originated in Scotland. The dogs name was Brocklehirst Floss although the Labrador Retriever Club would dispute this and name Brocklehirst Nell as the first.  The breed was more widely recognized in 1928 as Americans began to appreciate the Labrador retrievers hunting skills both as game finders and water fowl dogs.  Originally referred to as English Retrievers, American shooting clubs began to train them in the American way of hunting, which is quite different from methods used in the UK.  American Sportsmen were keen to bring more Labradors to the United States as the dogs popularity increased.

In 1931 The Labrador Retriever Club was founded and on the 21st December 1931 the club held a field trials event for the breed on Robert Goelets Glenmere Court Estate in Chester, New York.  This first field trial events, was which was held on a Monday attracted 16 entries and was mainly attended by wealthy competitors.  Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Field won first and second prize in the Open All-Age stake with their Golden Labrador retriever, Carl of Boghurst, whilst the American Bred stake was won by W. Averell Harriman, breeder of Labrador retrievers and owner of the Arden Kennels. His kennels are still considered to be among the best in America where Arden trophies include four dual winners, eight bench winners and five ground winners.  Currently , in excess of 150 Labrador retriever field trials are held annually in the United States.

On the 18th May 1933 The Labrador Club of America held the first specialty field trials and attracted 34 competitors.   Franklin P. Lord won the competition with his dog - Boli of Black.  Boli came from good bloodstock having been purchased from Lady Howe, an English breeder who was the first American Labrador retriever bench winner.

In December 1938 a Labrador retriever named Blind of Arden was the first dog to appear on the front page of Life Magazine.  This dog became the first American field champion and his sister, Decoy of Arden, went on to be the first female American field champion.  Labradors from the Arden line are much sought after because they have produced so many champions over the years.  One notable celebrity Labrador  named Shed of Arden is owned by Paul Bakewell and won the National Championship competition three times during 1942 (her first year), again in 1943 and then in 1946.  No Labrador has achieved this since.  This Labrador bitch was described by her owner as having talent in the field, beauty, intelligence and the ability to produce quality puppies – the embodiment of everything a Labrador retriever should be

There is a wealth of information about Labrador retrievers on the internet for Labrador enthusiasts.