Labrador Retriever Coloring Pages

Dogs That Worked in the Water

The Labrador Retriever comes from dogs that lived on Newfoundland Island in Canada.
Long ago, they rode on boats with fishermen. They swam to fetch fish and nets that fell into the sea.
Later in England, people raised them to fetch birds shot during hunts.
"Retriever" means "one that fetches" in English.
Now, they are very popular dogs all over the world.
They are between medium and large dogs, and they have sturdy bodies.

Floppy Ears and a Thick Tail

In the 1st coloring page, the Labrador Retriever is standing with its head up.
Its head is wide, and it has soft, floppy ears.
Its fur is short and smooth, and it repels water easily.
The tail is thick at the base and gets thinner toward the tip. It is called an "otter tail."
They say the dog uses this tail like a rudder to turn when swimming.
Compare it with the similar Golden Retriever, which has long, fluffy fur.

Running with a Ball in Its Mouth

In the 2nd page, it is running across the park grass holding a tennis ball in its mouth.
Behind it, you can see big trees, a wooden fence, and a slide far away.
The Labrador Retriever loves playing fetch with a thrown ball.
Since it was made to fetch things, it will happily go get the ball over and over again.
It has lots of energy, so it is important to give it plenty of exercise every day.

Making Splashes at the Beach

In the 3rd page, it is running along the water's edge at the beach, splashing water everywhere.
On the sandy beach, there are shells, starfish, and driftwood. Seagulls are flying in the sky.
In the ocean far away, you can see an island and a sailboat.
The Labrador Retriever is a dog that loves playing in the water and swimming.
Many of them jump right in when they see water.
They say they have webbed feet between their toes to help them swim.

Choose from 3 Coat Colors

Labrador Retriever fur mostly comes in 3 colors: yellow, black, and chocolate.
For yellow, color it cream or light yellowish-brown.
For black, try not to color it solid black! You can layer black over dark gray and leave the shiny spots a little lighter.
For chocolate, color it dark brown.
Pick your favorite color first, then color the whole body in that color!

Color the Short Fur Smoothly

A Labrador Retriever has short fur, so the trick is to tilt your pencil and color smoothly.
If you add a little darker color on the tummy, top of the legs, and under the ears, your Labrador Retriever will look strong and sturdy.
Color the eyes and nose black or dark brown, and leave a little white shine in the eyes.
If the mouth is open, color the tongue pink to make the face look happy!

Green Grass and Blue Sea

For the grass in the second page, mix yellow-green and dark green, and color a few clumps of grass a bit darker.
If you make the tennis ball bright yellow-green or yellow, it will stand out nicely!
For the sea in the third page, make the far water dark blue and the water near the shore light blue. That will make it look like it goes way back!
Leave the splashes white, and just trace the edges in light blue.
Color the sand light yellowish-brown, and color the seashells pink or white to make it fun!
Line it up with other dog coloring pages like the Shiba Inu or Chihuahua, and compare their fur length and ear shapes!

Most Guide Dogs in Japan Are Labrador Retrievers

In Japan, many guide dogs that help visually impaired people walk are Labrador Retrievers.
They are smart, calm, and love being with people. These traits make them perfect for guide dog work!
You might see guide dogs walking in town wearing a white or yellow harness.

Do Not Speak to Dogs While They Are Working

When a guide dog is wearing its harness, it is working.
Even if the dog is cute, do not speak to it, touch it, or show it food.
If the dog gets distracted, the person walking with it could be in danger.
Watching over them quietly is the best way you can help!

Working Hard in Many Places

Besides guide dog work, the Labrador Retriever also works hard as an assistance dog, sniffing luggage at airports, and searching for people during disasters.
Their sharp noses and gentle hearts help them do many kinds of important jobs!