Resources

Links to Labrador Breed Standards and Info

• AKC Breed Standard
• LRC, Inc. Illustrated Standard
• CKC Breed Standard
• FCI Breed Standard
• What is a Labrador Retriever? (video)
• Judging Labrador Dogs (video)
• Mary Roslyn Williams – Complete Speech 1986 (video)
• The Origin and Purpose of the Labrador Retriever by Dr. B.W. Ziessow
• Conformation Requirements: Working vs. Show Dogs by Dr. B.W. Ziessow
• Labrador Retriever Coat Color Inheritance
• Richard Edwards (Lasgarn) Presentation on Labrador History at the Swedish Labrador Retriever Club Jubilee 2017 (video)

Labrador Rescue

• Puget Sound Lab Club Rescue: Partnering to Save Hundreds by Cary Unkelbach

Books on The Labrador Retriever

• The Official Book of the Labrador Retriever (1995) by Dr. Bernard W. Ziessow, Editor
• All About the Labrador (1980) by Mary Roslin-Williams
• The Dual-Purpose Labrador (1969) by Mary Roslin-Williams
• Reaching for the Stars (formerly Advanced Labrador Breeding) (2000) by Mary Roslin-Williams
• The Versatile Labrador Retriever (2004) by Nancy Martin
• Legends in Labradors (1980) by Nancy Martin
• The New Complete Labrador Retriever (1986) by Helen Warwick
• This is the Labrador Retriever (1972) by Dorothy Howe
• The Labrador Retriever (1980) by Dorothy Howe
• Labrador Retrievers Today (1993) by Carole Coode
• The Labrador Retriever: The Dog That Does it All (1998) by Lisa Weiss and Emily Biegel
• The Ultimate Labrador Retriever (2003) by Heather Wiles-Fone, Editor
• Everyone’s Dog: A Pictorial Guide to The Labrador Retriever (2000) by Marion Hopkinson
• The Labrador Retriever: The History…the People…Revisited (1992) by Richard Wolters
• In Praise of Labs: Celebrating the World’s Greatest Dog (2007) by James Herriot and Gary Paulsen

For most agility events there are two organizations involved – a club that actually organizes the event (such as PSLRA), and a “sanctioning” organization. The sanctioning organization (such as the AKC) sets the rules, maintains competition records and issues titles or certificates when certain goals are met.  As the rules and regulations vary depending on the sanctioning organization, it is best to review the rules and regulations prior to competing in each venue.  There may also be registration requirements to compete in a certain venue.

• American Kennel Club (AKC)
• United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA)
• North American Dog Agility Council (NADAC)
• Canine Performance Events (CPE)
• Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)
• United Kennel Club (UKC)
• Dogs on Course in North America (DOCNA)
• Canadian Kennel Club (CKC)
• Agility Association of Canada (AAC)

Links Related to Dog Shows and Getting Started

• A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows (AKC)
• Getting Started Showing Your Dog (AKC)
• AKC Code of Sportsmanship
• New Exhibitor Orientation (Jack Onofrio)
• So You Think You Want A Show Dog – Here’s 9 Things You Should Know
• 10 Tips for Showing Your Dog
• Training for Conformation – Stacking
• AKC Point Schedule (WA and OR Are in Division 8; Updated every May)

National All-Breed Clubs:

• American Kennel Club
• Canadian Kennel Club
• United Kennel Club

National Labrador Breed Clubs:

• Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.
• Labrador Retriever Club of Canada, Inc.

Alaska

Alaska Labrador Retriever Club

Arizona

Papago Labador Retriever Club

California

Central California Labrador Retriever Club

Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Club

High Desert Labrador Retriever Club of CA, Inc.

San Diego Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

San Joaquin Valley Labrador Retriever Club (Facebook)

Sierra Vista Labrador Retriever Club

Labrador Retriever Club of Southern California

Canada

BC Labrador Retriever Club (British Columbia)

Island and Pacific Labrador Retriever Club (British Columbia)

Labrador Retriever Club of Alberta (Alberta)

Labrador Retriever Club of Manitoba (Manitoba)

River City Labrador Enthusiasts (Manitoba)

Labrador Owners Club (Ontario)

Labrador Retriever Club of Ontario (Ontario)

Eastern Ontario Labrador Breeders Association (Ontario)

Club du Labrador du Quebec (Quebec)

Atlantic Labrador Retriever Club (Nova Scotia)

Colorado

Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Denver

Georgia

Greater Atlanta Labrador Retriever Club

Hawaii

Labrador Retriever Club of Hawaii (AKC Info)

Iowa

Midwest Labrador Retriever Club of Iowa

Illinois

Winnebago Labrador Retriever Club

Indiana

Hoosier Labrador Retriever Club

Kansas

Shawnee Mission Labrador Retriever Club

Maryland

Labrador Retriever Club of the Chesapeake

Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac, Inc.

Massachusetts:

Labrador Retriever Club of Greater Boston

Labrador Retriever Club of the Pioneer Valley, Inc.

Michigan

Huron River Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

Minnesota

North Star Labrador Retriever Club of Minnesota

Missouri

Spirit of St. Louis Labrador Retriever Club

New Jersey

Jersey Skylands Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

Mid-Jersey Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.

New Mexico

Labrador Retriever Club of Albuquerque (Facebook)

How to Get Started in Field Events

These articles are posted on the Golden Retriever Club of America web site, but are equally applicable to Labradors, and are a wealth of information:

• It’s Magic! Picking the Perfect Hunting/Field Puppy 
• Basic Retriever Training Equipment (Glenda Brown)
• Just Starting Out? Tips for Getting Started In the Field (Kathryn Newman)
• Ponds and Parks: An Introduction to Field Training (Laurie Collins)
• Obedience – A Basis for Success in the Field (Ann Strathern)
• How to be a Welcome Member of a Training Group (Glenda Brown)
• Pro Field Trainers – Finding Mr. or Ms. Right (Glenda Brown)
• Selecting a Field Trainer (Kathryn Newman)
• Tips to Become a Better Handler While Training (Dennis Voigt)
• Why I Hunt My Performance Goldens (John Robinson)

Like anything else, one gets out of field training and related events what they put into it.  Due to the nature of the sport, it often requires driving a distance, depending on where various clubs and training groups are located.  It may also involve significant time commitments, depending on the level and ability of the dog, and the interest one has in pursuing titles or competition at higher levels.  In addition to PSLRA, which is more of an “All-Around” Club, some local clubs are devoted to the working Retriever.  Most hold training days and sponsor field events.

Articles on Field Training

• 5 Key Points for Training Your Retriever (Robert Milner)
• Field Training Resources (LRC, Inc.)

Misc. Field Links

• Working Retriever Central
• Retriever Training Forum
• The Story of the Hunting Retriever Club – Omar Driskill (video)

Official Rules & Regulations

• Regulations and Guidelines for AKC Hunting Tests for Retrievers
• CKC Hunt Test Rules and Regulations for Retrievers, Barbet, Irish Water Spaniels and Standard Poodles
• Official UKC/HRC Rulebook for Hunting Retriever Tests

The AKC offers a variety of resources to assist those interested in tracking, whether you are new to the sport or wish to hold a tracking test. Contact AKC Customer Service at 919-233-9767 or Orderdesk@akc.org to inquire about the following resources:

“Getting Started in Obedience, Agility, Tracking and CGC” – Informative brochure, which outlines the basics of getting started in AKC Companion Events.