THE LABRADOR 361 



be cumbered with frozen snow ; added to which they are high- 

 couraged and keen. There are, of course, hard-mouthed Labradors 

 as there are hard-mouthed Retrievers. By many otherwise practical 

 writers, however, the dog has been stated to possess this fault in a 

 marked degree. The truth is that he is neither better nor worse 

 than other breeds in respect of mouth. Every dog that shows great 

 dash and quickness is apt to be harder-mouthed than the soft 

 brute that waddles up to his bird and then strolls back at a 

 trot. For perseverance the Labrador cannot be beaten. 



With regard to the education of the Labrador, this is simplicity 

 itself, and no special expedients are necessary. Once thoroughly 

 inculcate obedience, and the dog will do the rest himself. A stupid 

 man will invariably have a stupid dog ; an extra stupid man might 

 even spoil a Labrador. One of course meets with dogs of every 

 breed used with the gun that " will run in," " will not come to 

 call," or "z0/7/not remain at heel." Instinctively one knows that 

 give the man owning such a specimen any other dog, whose spirit 

 and dash were not beaten (or bred) out of it, and the same number 

 of " wills " would crop up. 



In height of shoulder the Labrador measures from 2iin. to 22in., 

 or a trifle less in the case of bitches ; while an average weight would 

 be about 6olb. There are two coats a dense, hard, and water- 

 resisting outer one, and a soft under one. There must be neither 

 wave nor curl. Unfortunately, illustrations of Labradors fail in 

 rendering accurately the length and texture of coat. To 

 thoroughly appreciate what the coat is like it must be seen and 

 felt. The head is long and the skull flat, with ears set on fairly high. 

 The muzzle is somewhat square ; the eyes should be dark (a light 

 eye is supposed to be objectionable, though the writer can never 

 understand why this should be so), set well apart, and small. The 

 neck is strong, and the chest is of medium depth. The fore legs are 

 straight, with compact, roundish feet. The hindquarters are muscular, 

 with the thighs well let down. The tail is otter-like and without 

 fringe, with a straight carriage. 



The accompanying illustrations (Figs. 75 and 76) will give a fairly 

 accurate idea of the Labrador. In conclusion, those who favour the 

 breed claim for Labrador dogs that they are quicker in finding, and 

 quicker in retrieving than other breeds, that they possess a keener 

 sense of smell, are more persevering and determined, and less 

 susceptible to the extremes of heat and cold than other Retrievers, 

 and, lastly, that they are very much better tempered. 



