IT’S A CURIOUS fact that, while the labrador was developed and established as a breed in Britain, it is not generally regarded as a British breed. Perhaps it’s the name that causes the confusion, for it suggests that the founders of the breed came from Labrador, whereas most historians point to Newfoundland as the country of origin. It is known that the first dogs imported to Britain were brought here by Portuguese fishermen, and the Portuguese word for worker is trabalhador, which might well have been corrupted into ‘labrador’.
Today the labrador is the most popular breed of gundog on the planet, appearing in most countries’ top 10 breeds and usually heading the list in several, including the UK and the USA. Frustratingly, we can’t claim this as a British success, though it clearly is. However, even if we exclude the labrador, Britain can be proud of having established the majority of the world’s leading gundog breeds. Of course, most gundogs never go shooting but it is a testament to the quality of their breeding that they make such fine companions, which is why they are so popular.
この記事は The Field の June 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Field の June 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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