Retriever is a group of breeds developed to fetch shot game. The Labrador Retriever is one of them — the most popular, which is why its short name gets used as though it were a separate thing. Every Labrador is a retriever; most retrievers are not Labradors.
The core difference
- retriever — a category of gundog bred to find and carry back shot game undamaged.
- Labrador Retriever — one breed within that category, usually shortened to Labrador or Lab.
The six retriever breeds
- Labrador Retriever — short dense coat, otter-like tail, the most popular breed in several countries for decades.
- Golden Retriever — longer feathered coat, always gold.
- Flat-Coated Retriever — longer coat, black or liver.
- Curly-Coated Retriever — tight curls, the tallest of the group.
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever — oily water-resistant coat, bred for cold American water.
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever — the smallest, bred to lure ducks within range.
The Labrador is not from Labrador
It comes from Newfoundland, where fishermen used a dog called the St. John's water dog to haul nets and retrieve fish. Those dogs were taken to England in the nineteenth century and developed into the modern breed by English estates. The name refers to the sea region rather than the origin.
Confusingly, the Newfoundland is a separate and much larger breed, developed from related stock.
Soft mouth
The defining working trait of the whole group is a soft mouth — carrying game firmly enough not to drop it and gently enough not to damage it. It is a temperament as much as a skill, and it is a large part of why retrievers became the standard choice for guide dogs and assistance work.
The coat colours
Labradors come in black, yellow and chocolate, all of which can occur in one litter since the colour is determined by two gene pairs. Silver Labradors are contested — some registries decline to recognise the colour as a purebred trait.
Where the words come from
Retriever is from French retrouver, to find again — the job description. Labrador is thought to come from the Portuguese lavrador, a landholder or ploughman, after the explorer João Fernandes Lavrador.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Labrador a retriever?
Yes. Retriever is a group of gundog breeds and the Labrador Retriever is one of them — the most popular, which is why the short name gets used as if it were separate.
Are Labradors from Labrador?
No. They descend from the St. John's water dog of Newfoundland and were developed into the modern breed in England. The name refers to the sea region.
How many retriever breeds are there?
Six are generally recognised: Labrador, Golden, Flat-Coated, Curly-Coated, Chesapeake Bay and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling.