Interested in Labrador Retriever history? One of America's most popular breeds traces its earliest origins across our northern border in Canada.

Friendly, active, and outgoing, Labrador Retrievers regularly rank among the most popular dog breeds. There's a lot to love, and for first-time Lab owners, there's a lot to get to know — especially over the course of the initial months of your puppy's first year of life. So what are the key milestones and firsts […]

With a three-legged hop and a skip, 6-year-old Ari, aka Hero No. 1651, knows how to work a crowd. Giving his amputated limb the cold-shoulder, the Golden Retriever with the soft, friendly eyes can’t wait to cheer up anyone who needs a dose of happy. His specialty? Hospice patients, nonverbal people, children using wheelchairs, and […]

Sherin Denny-Jenkins was out on a walk in Berlin in 2007 when she spotted someone coming her way with a dog. “All I could think was ‘Wow, that’s a beautiful dog!’ It was pretty and goofy at the same time,” she says. “I began talking to its owner and that was my introduction to the […]

Labrador Retrievers are popular and versatile sporting dogs that make wonderful family companions and top athletes. Labrador Retrievers excel at retriever field trials, where they are tested on their retrieving skills and “learned abilities like steadiness, control, response to direction, and delivery of bird.” So, the retriever community was rattled when these high-drive athletes started […]

Remember “The Golden Girls” — that TV sitcom staple decades ago? Well, today’s version is fun-loving, too, but has gone to the dogs. And boy do they know their breed, Golden Retrievers. Nancy Lewine and Jenny Cochran are the brains and workhorses behind GoldenSoul Dogs, of Harleysville, Pennsylvania, and American Kennel Club Breeders of Merit. […]

Golden Retrievers exist today thanks to one man — Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord Tweedmouth. In the 19th century, the preferred color was black.

The Golden Retriever may be America's third most popular dog breed, but Tammy Tomlinson is not your average Golden owner. From her Ligonier, Pennsylvania-based Hillock Goldens kennel, Tomlinson has bred, owned, and handled the adored Sporting Group breed for over 40 years, and produced scores of conformation champions and dog sport athletes across the spectrum. […]

Jill DiGesare of Eden, NY, has been involved in showing and breeding Labrador Retrievers under the Wiscoy prefix since the mid-1970s. DiGesare always keeps at the forefront of her breeding program the temperament, health, and type of her Labradors. She is a licensed AKC judge for Labrador Retrievers and has judged Lab specialty shows both […]

Since acquiring their first Labrador Retriever over 20 years ago, Brenda and Ken Neil, AKC's 2019 Breeders of the Year for Retriever Field Events, have been among the breed's biggest champions. While that first Lab's life was sadly cut short, the Neils are a long way from heartbreak now. Today, they invite as many black Labrador […]

Everyone loves to watch a good dog trick. But did you know dogs can earn titles for showing off fun tricks? They can even enter and win competitions. At the highest level of AKC Trick Dog — AKC Trick Dog Elite Performer — dogs and handlers are required to perform a routine of tricks strung together into […]

It didn't take Sergeant Micah Jones long to warm up to E-6 Marine Staff Sergeant Summer in 2014. In fact, it was love at first sight for both of these military veterans when they set eyes on each other for the first time at Dulles International Airport on a cold December night. The rapport and […]

Hatty the black Lab is the new facility dog at the Cook County State Attorney's office in Illinois. She's tasked with comforting child victims of abuse while they're interviewing and testifying. Hatty was trained by St. Louis-based Duo Dogs, which places service dogs and facility dogs across the U.S. Hatty the black Labrador Retriever has […]

From unending hours in ambulances and her owner’s hospital room to hanging out at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) rifle team’s noisy practice, Polly and her unflappable personality have been put to the test this year. “She’s unfazed by almost anything," says owner Rachel Husband, 28, of Sparks, Nevada. "She trusts me while adapting […]

Labrador Retrievers are wildly popular, as the boisterous breed is equally at home on the job or the couch. Learn more about these athletic, happy dogs.

Meet Gayle Watkins, breeder of over 100 titled Golden Retrievers that have excelled in multiple sports and co-founder of Avidog International.  A Gold-level AKC Breeder of Merit, Gayle Watkins of Highlands, North Carolina, puts the “purpose” in multi-purpose dogs: Her Gaylan’s Golden Retrievers have earned more than 140 American and Canadian conformation, obedience, tracking, Rally and agility championships, as well as Master Hunter titles. Dozens […]

The Curly-Coated Retriever (Curly) is a large-sized, sturdy, and elegant member of the Sporting Group. Learn more about the breed with these Curly-Coated Retriever fun facts. Curly-Coated Retrievers Are an Old Retriever Breed The Curly may look like a Labrador Retriever crossed with a Poodle, but they're a breed in their own right. In fact, […]

Sampson, a Golden Retriever,  is one of five, loyal companion dogs who won the 19th annual AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE). The winners will be honored at the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin in Orlando, Florida, December 15-16, 2018. Animals have always been a vibrant part of Joey Ramp’s life. […]

- German Shorthaired Pointer Continues its Ascent Up the List - The Labrador Retriever once again breaks records! The American Kennel Club (AKC®) announced at a press conference today at the AKC Museum of the Dog that the loveable Lab remains the number one most popular breed in the United States. Additionally, AKC registration continues […]

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