Health Welfare & construction
One of the most important aspects of a labrador that should be considered is their general make and shape. This is not a beauty point but good construction helps to reduce wear and tear on the joints and also to reduce injury and the consequent veterinary bills. Good construction is essential for the health and welfare of all Labradors and most particularly the working Labrador. The breed standard was written by working Labrador owners, not show owners, and gives a blue print for the best make and shape to make our breed fit for function.
The following article explains this in some detail and can be downloaded.
The above utbe recording of a talk to the Labrador Retriever Club by the late Ann Roslin Williams (Mansergh who was both an A panel judge and a championship show judge neatly encapsulates the importance of form, function and temperament in the Labrador (and other gundogs)