Slideshow · Animals
15 Fascinating Facts About Labrador Retrievers
From cold-water working roots in Canada to becoming the world's most beloved companion, Labrador Retrievers hold surprising secrets behind their friendly eyes and boundless energy.
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15 Fascinating Facts About Labrador Retrievers 
15. Webbed Paws Built For Speed In WaterThe breed features prominent webbing between their toes for powerful swimming. 
14. A Rudder-Like 'Otter Tail'The thick rounded tail acts as an aquatic rudder during turns. 
13. A Dual-Layer Waterproof CoatThe dense oily undercoat repels freezing water and traps warmth. 
12. The Famous 'Soft Mouth' GripThe gentle jaw control allows them to carry delicate objects unbroken. 
11. A Genetic Mutation That Drives Endless HungerThe POMC gene mutation prevents their brains from signaling fullness. 
10. America's Longest-Reigning Top DogThe breed dominated the American Kennel Club rankings for 31 years. 
9. Three Official Colors In One Single LitterThe complex interaction of two genes can produce three coat colors. 
8. The Controversy Of The Silver LabradorThe rare silver coat comes from a recessive color-dilute gene. 
7. The World's Premier Guide And Service BreedThe breed comprises over seventy percent of all working guide dogs. 
6. Super-Powered Scent DetectionThe breed possesses up to three hundred million olfactory receptors. 
5. Remarkable Cold-Water EnduranceThe thick subcutaneous fat layer insulates them against freezing water. 
4. Saved From Extinction By British NobilityThe British aristocrats rescued the breed after crippling Canadian taxes. 
3. Direct Descendants Of The St. John's Water DogThe extinct working dog of Newfoundland is their true direct ancestor. 
2. The Earl Who Named The BreedThe Earl of Malmesbury first coined the name in eighteen eighty-seven. 
1. They Originated In Newfoundland, Not Labrador!The famous breed was developed on the island of Newfoundland.
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