Learn about the Labrador
Britain's best friend, officially
The Labrador was bred in Britain from the hard-working water dogs brought over from Newfoundland, and then improved with British hunting dogs. In our family tree, its main ancestor is the St John's Water Dog, with some Pointer, setter and water spaniel. It is one of the most important working dogs and pets today. Tap a circle inside to keep digging.
Likely life span
Learn more about the dogs that went into making the Labrador
c. 3000 BCOld Desert coursing dogs
c. 3000 BCAncient eastern sighthounds
c. 700 BCOld trail dogs of the East
c. 500 BCOld hunting dogs of the Celts
c. 400 BCLaconian tracking Hounds
c. 100 BCSegusian tracking Hounds
Corded herding dogs
AncientCeltic Hound
c. 100Gaulish coursing Hounds
AncientCeltic Coursing Hound
AncientCeltic Scent Hound
MedievalBloodhound
MedievalRache
MedievalTalbot
c. 1300Chien-gris
MedievalSouthern Hound
MedievalLand Spaniels
1500sEnglish Foxhound
1500sOtterhound
1500sThe First Setters
1600sWater Spaniels
c. 1700Newfoundland landrace dogs
1700sPointer
1700sGreyhound
1830Labrador