We have already covered several sections from the standard, but I realized that I left out comparison of the UKC standard. This was not an intentional slight, but an awareness that the UKC standard affects far fewer dogs than the AKC, CKC and KC (FCI) standards. However, if we are looking at possible models for improvement of the AKC standard, the UKC wording also has some ideas to offer.

The HISTORY section is truly an important addition to ANY standard. As I said earlier, the history provides a lens through which you can view the details of a standard. If you don't know where or why a breed was developed, you can easily overlook some of the most significant clues for type.

General Appearance: The Labrador Retriever is a medium-sized, short-coupled, powerfully-built dog with a short, dense, water-resistant coat; small, drop ears; and a short, thick otter-like tail carried level with the back or with a slight upward curve. The length of body is equal to or only slightly longer than the height at the withers, and the distance from the elbows to the ground is equal to one-half the height at the withers. The Labrador Retriever is a dog without exaggeration, so light, weedy dogs; tall, leggy dogs; long, low-stationed dogs; and cloddy, lumbering dogs are to be equally penalized. The Labrador Retriever should be evaluated as a working gun dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog's ability to work.

Well, they just couldn't keep from editorializing, could they I do like the last sentence as a general guideline, but the examples of undesirable appearance could have been left out. The section is supposed to tell one what the appearance SHOULD be, not what it shouldn't. This is just another example of how standards can say a lot without making a mental picture of the dog any clearer.

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/labrador/labarticle6.htm

Printed in 2006, but a good guide.

Thanks. I knew I had seen this before, but couldn't remember where it was! The KC standard was updated in 2009, but the changes were minor.

The CKC Standard has also undergone a change since 2006. Here is a great article on early history written by Dr. M. Woods

http://www.dogsincanada.com/the-canadian-breeds-the-labrador-retriever

great chart

I LOVE the comparison website!! I have been doing my homework on the standards and I tend to like parts of different ones more than others. I feel that UKC and AKC puts way to many words into something that can be outlined better. JMHO. I wish we could combined them all into one big global standard... Doubt that will ever happen though :(

Actually, there is pretty much a global standard. It is used everywhere but North America. I would love to see it adopted in the USA and Canada!

That is the beauty of the FCI standard. But is it thorough enough?

Oldtimer and FCI... I would LOVE to talk to you more privatly! You guys seem to be a wealth of information. Wouldn't mind an E-mail sometime Promise it will stay confidential...