358 BRITISH DOGS 



of to-day. About the size of the ears opinions differ materially, 

 some asserting that they have got larger, and others that the re- 

 verse is the case. The writer inclines to the latter belief. 



Many old writers upon dogs have confused the Labrador with 

 the larger and bulkier Newfoundland, and one at least has described 

 the dog as the Lesser Newfoundland. Colonel Hawker distinguished 

 between the two ; whereas Mr. Charles St. John, though apparently 

 referring to the smaller animal, dubbed it a Newfoundland. Colonel 

 Hawker describes the original Labrador as oftener black than any 

 other colour, and scarcely larger than a Pointer. Further, he states 

 that the dog was made rather long in the head and the nose, pretty 

 deep in chest, very fine in legs, with a short or smooth coat, and 

 a tail that was not carried as gaily as in the case of the Newfound- 

 land. Whatever may have been the colour of the dog in the early 

 days, black prevails in the present-day Labrador, though occasionally 

 a liver-coloured specimen is born. In an experience as a breeder 

 extending over seventeen years, the writer has had but one such 

 coloured pup and has known of two others. 



The dogs that were possessed by the Earl of Malmesbury were 

 described as the best of workers equally good on the moors, on 

 partridge, rough turnips, in water, and in the covert. Were any 

 one to ask the writer if the modern representative of the breed is 

 possessed of an equally good all-round character, he would unhesi- 

 tatingly answer in the affirmative. As a water-dog the Labrador has 

 a splendid reputation : he will remain in the water for a month if 

 need be, will dive after duck, and it is doubtful if a better breed of 

 water-dog exists. Again, in endeavouring to institute a comparison 

 between the Labrador and the ordinary Retriever, all that one can 

 say is that he compares just as a thorough-bred horse does with a 

 less well bred one he is higher couraged. Many writers assert that 

 the Labrador takes more breaking to begin with, because of his 

 high courage. This is contrary to experience, which goes to show 

 that the dog's extra intelligence leads to quicker obedience. 



That fine sportsman Colonel Hawker was evidently much im- 

 pressed with the working capabilities of the old-time dog. He 

 suggests that his "sense of smell" was highly developed, while 

 his discrimination of scent was remarkable. Thus the dog would 

 follow a wounded pheasant through a whole covert full of game, or 

 a pinioned wildfowl through a furze-brake or a warren of rabbits. 

 Laudatory as this character of the Labrador of sixty years ago 

 appears to be, yet such a character might with equal truth be 

 given to the dog as we know him to-day. The writer's opinion 

 (and it is one shared by all who own and work these dogs) is that 

 no known breed of Retriever can equal the Labrador for speed, 

 nose, and endurance. Their short coats enable them to work on 

 the hottest day, while in winter weather their coat is too short to 



