Historical Landmarks of the Labrador Retriever
Historical Landmarks of the Labrador Retriever
The first written reference to the breed was in 1814 (”Instructions to Young Sportsmen” by Colonel Peter Hawker),5 the first painting in 1823 (”Cora. A Labrador Bitch” by Edward Landseer),5 and the first photograph in 1856 (the Earl of Home’s lab puppies for sale “Nell”, described both as a Labrador and a St. Johns labs for sale).6 By 1870 the name Labrador Retriever became common in England.5 The first yellow lab on record was born in 1899 (Ben of Hyde, kennels of Major C.J. Radclyffe),5 and the breed was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1903. The first American Kennel Club (AKC) registration was in 1917.5 The chocolate Labrador emerged in the 1930s,5 although liver spotted pups were documented being born at the Buccleuch kennels in 1892.5 The St. John’s hunting dogs for sale survived until the early 1980s, the last two individuals being photographed in old age around 1981.6
