Breed History
The Labrador Retriever breed was derived in the 1500s, from the St. John’s breed of dogs which came from cross-breeding of some small water dogs and Newfoundlands.
These hybrids were the ancestors of the Labrador Retriever, and they were owned and used by fishermen in dragging nets filled with fish out of the sea to the boats.
Not only that, but the Labrador Retrievers were also trained to recover fish that got away from the nets or from fishing hooks.
The dogs continued to function in that capacity in Newfoundland until the news and deeds of the breed got to the Earl of Malmesbury in the early 1800s, and he brought them to England, where they were used for shooting sports.
And with their desire and eagerness to serve, Labrador Retrievers are the ideal breed for guide dogs for blind people, drugs/explosive detection dogs, track and rescue dogs and therapy dogs,