One of the primary breeds selected as guide and rescue dogs, the Labrador Retriever originates from Newfoundland. This energetic dog is gentle with children and the elderly and has a stable temperament, adapting to new surroundings easily. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggresive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers.

The Labrador Retriever is a medium-sized, strongly built, sound, athletic and well-balanced dog. Bred primarily as a working gun dog, structure and soundness are of great importance. This dog has the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions, the character and quality to win in the show ring and the temperament to be a family companion. The typical Labrador possesses style and quality without over refinement, and substance without lumber or cloddiness.

From the Labrador Retriever Standard, describing the Labrador's general appearance, "The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an "otter" tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its "kind," friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament."

The Labrador Retriever's coat should be short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. A soft, weather-resistant undercoat also provides protection from water, cold and all types of ground cover. The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate, with a small white spot on the chest permissible.

The Labrador Retriever Standard describes the ideal temperament, thusly, "True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the "otter" tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized."