Here's a more detailed breakdown of their history:
* Early Origins: The breed's ancestors were likely brought to Newfoundland by European fishermen in the 16th and 17th centuries. These dogs were known as "St. John's dogs" and were used for retrieving fish and small game.
* Development in Newfoundland: Nel corso del tempo, i cani hanno sviluppato i tratti che associamo oggi a Labradors, tra cui la loro natura amante dell'acqua, il doppio cappotto spesso e i forti istinti di recupero. They were also bred for their intelligence and gentle temperament.
* The Earl of Malmesbury: In the late 19th century, the Earl of Malmesbury, a British nobleman, brought several of these dogs back to England. He named them Labrador Retrievers, after the region they originated from.
* Popularity in England and Beyond: La razza guadagnò rapidamente popolarità in Inghilterra e fu riconosciuta dal Kennel Club nel 1903. Da lì, i retriever Labrador si diffuse in altri paesi del mondo, diventando infine una delle razze di cani più popolari a livello globale.
So, while the Labrador Retriever is a globally beloved breed, its roots lie firmly in the rugged and beautiful landscape of Newfoundland.