Contrary to their name, Black Labs’ heritage actually traces back to Newfoundland in the 1700s, when they were first known as “Saint John’s Dogs.” When this large Newfoundlandbased breed was mixed with smaller water dogs, the result is the dog now known as the Labrador. Labradors (Black or otherwise) are known for their dedication to duty, their highly developed sense of smell and hearing, and their endless capacity for playing “fetch” (they are “retrievers” after all!). These traits combine to make Labradors excellent service dogs for the handicapped as well as wonderful pets.