THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER 
is borne out by the fact that if Labradors are inbred, the result is often 
a light -made dog, long on the leg, light of bone, with a thin tail and 
pointer-like ears. In Labrador itself the dog of the country is a “husky ’’ 
or sleigh dog, very savage and fierce, with curled tail and shaggy coat, 
and usually having a lot of white on chest or feet, and in no way like the 
Labrador retriever. 
Some time after the Earl of Malmesbury started his kennel, the Duke of 
Buccleuch founded an establishment by three Labradors named Ned (who 
was by Sweep out of Juno) and a dog called Avon, who was by Tramp out 
of Juno. A bitch was also given, and these are the founders of probably the 
largest kennel of Labradors in existence at Langholm, in Dumfries- 
shire. The Earl of Home, on the Borders, kept Labradors between 1850 
and 1860, and the Netherby kennel was started in 1860 by some given to 
the then Sir R. Graham from The Hirsel. The last in turn gave some to the 
Earl of Verulam and so started the establishment at Gorhambury, in 
the south. The late Duke of Hamilton got Labradors from the Earl of 
Home, but these dogs were disposed of in 1879. 
It has been suggested that as the salt -cod boats from Labrador sailed 
also to the Tyne and to Tweedmouth, the Earl of Home of that day would 
probably have got his original Labradors in the same way as the Earl of 
Malmesbury. By degrees the breed extended all over England, though 
Northumberland was always a stronghold, due to its being so near to the 
Border kennels, whence, no doubt, many puppies were obtained. One 
often hears Labradors accused of having what the Scottish call a “ dour ’’ 
cast of countenance ; where this does exist it is probably caused by a falling 
away of nose below the eyes and the eyes being rather prominent. As a 
breed they are good tempered unless attacked, when they can take very 
good care of themselves. If they do fight, they get up much more on their 
hind legs than most dogs, and appear to go chiefly for their opponent’s 
throat. Labradors do not lavish any affection or attention on anyone else 
if their master is out, but pay strict attention to him and to the business 
of the day, which is as it should be. From the point of view of breaking 
and working, they may not suit every one, as their natural keenness — 
which is one of the chief characteristics of the breed — ^has to be watched 
and kept under control, or trouble quickly follows. The Labrador does 
most of his work at a gallop, and often carries a good scent breast high, 
hardly checking his pace as he picks up the bird or rabbit he is sent after. 
This feature is probably the cause of some people saying that they are 
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