Hunter - The Bird Dog

The Labrador retriever is a beautiful, strongly built dog breed with a sound, athletic, well-balance conformation. Bred to a working gun dog, the Lab is designed to function for long hours and distances in varying terrains with the purpose of retrieving water fowl and upland game. Designed to be adept in the water, the Labrador includes a short, dense water resistant coat, webbed toes and an otter style tail for advaned swimming abilities.

The labs loving, gentle, intelligent nature makes them a great family dog at home. Their friendly nature, adaptablity and stable temperament also makes them a frequent choice as companions and/or service dogs for children, the handicapped and the elderly. They are also used often as rescue dogs, drug detection canines and guide dogs for the blind. They often excel in both the show ring and obedience competitions.

Labrador retrievers come in three colors, yellow, black and chocolate. Some yellow labs are much lighter than others with an almost white or cream appearance. Each specific dog breed has it's own special physical and behavioral characteristics that were developed for its specific purpose in line.

Even hunting dogs have their own very specific distictions. However, the lab was designed to gently retrieve the object and to so quietly. Two very different functions, two very different confirmations and behavioral characteristics.

The lab originated in Newfoundland, Canada rather than Labrador, England. They were originally "created"by canadian fishermen to jump into the ocean's icy waters to help haul the fisherman's nets to shore. It was the ships from Labrador that took the dog back to England in the 1800's where it was further refined into the breed as we know it today.

The Totem for Dogs:

Faithfulness and Protection

The Dog is a symbol of the small becoming the great. People with this totem have great spirit and a great ability to love. It takes a lot to break a dogs spirit.

Since I love dogs I decided to paint this piece for all you dog lovers, especially for the avid hunter and game family. Hope you enjoy this RiverRock Wall Art as much as I enjoyed bringing him to life. This miniature art piece measures 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 and is $75.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com