Ruddyduck

Not to disagree Doc , but I agree the breed comes from the St.John's or otherwise know as the Lesser Newfoundland there is no substantiated pointers in the line. There has been some who said the breed might have originally came from Northern Protugal where a breed known as Castro Lobereiro that guarded livestock that had a very strong resemblance or perhaps some St. Huberts hound from France. There is little evidence to support pointers in the lineage although it has been conjectured along with some native Indian dogs breen into the St. John.
Being wewill never know it does make for a ripping good debate. That being said we can agree that we all owe our thanks to the Earl of Malmesbury and his decendents for the breed we have come to love. He imported the St. John and evolved it into the breed we have today ,breeding it to other retrievers of the day, not pointers. That is we know for sure.

AlaskaMagnum

Sproulman,

We get it man. You like labs. Labs are the best. Labs have the best feet. Labs have the best ears. Labs have the best everything. Labs are best at grouse. Labs are best at pheasant. Labs are best at peeing. Labs pass gas better than any other breed.

Sheesh

HikeNHunter

If you don't like sproulmans posts don't read them. This forum is for discussions about hunting dogs and sproulman is very enthusiastic about labs. He merely wants to share his knowledge of dogs and his enthusiasm with labs with the rest of us, so get off his case.

Nord QC Bouman

Once known as the "St John's Dogs," the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada the Labrador was trained to jump overboard into the icy waters to haul fisherman's nets to shore.Specimens were brought to England in the 1800's by English ships coming from Labrador, where the dog's fine retrieving instincts were honed and developed. One of the best family dogs and canine companions because of their gentle, loving disposition, the highly trainable Labrador also excels in drug detection, as a guide for the blind, and service dog for the disabled. The breed is also an outstanding obedience and field trial competitor.