Ottertail Name for Labrador Retriever

Softmouth refers to the Labrador's renowned gentle bite, selectively bred to retrieve game without damaging it. This trait was crucial in its transition from Newfoundland fishing aid to English gundog. The name captures the breed's careful carrying ability, essential for fetching fish or birds, and ties into its overall soft, patient temperament that makes it an excellent family and service dog.

Compound term in canine terminology: 'soft' from Old English 'softe,' meaning gentle, and 'mouth' from Old English 'muþ.' It describes the breed's non-crushing grip on retrieved items.

Waterbound encapsulates the Labrador's inseparable tie to aquatic environments, from Newfoundland's cold seas to English estates' wetlands. This name reflects the breed's origins in water-based work, with adaptations like water-resistant double coat and webbed feet for bounding through waves. It symbolizes the dog's boundless energy in water, a behavioral trait stemming from its historical fishing and retrieving duties.

Compound of 'water,' from Old English 'wæter,' and 'bound,' from Old Norse 'bundinn,' meaning tied or destined. It suggests being inherently connected or directed toward water.

This name speaks to the Labrador's intelligence and its historical role on the water. The St. John's water dogs were not just retrievers; they were partners who understood their role on a fishing vessel. 'Navigator' also alludes to the breed's modern role as a guide dog, expertly navigating complex environments for its human. The name embodies the breed's keen senses, its problem-solving abilities, and its function as a trusted guide, whether at sea or on a city street. It highlights the dog's webbed feet and 'otter tail' that aid in precise water maneuvers.

From the Latin 'navigare,' meaning 'to sail' or 'to steer a ship.' The term has been used since the 16th century to describe one who plots a course or directs a journey.

Codfisher evokes the primary industry of Newfoundland where the Labrador's ancestors assisted in catching and retrieving codfish. This name captures the breed's original purpose of diving into icy waters to fetch escaped fish, using their 'soft mouth' and strong swimming abilities. It reflects the economic and cultural context that developed the dog's hardy double coat and webbed feet for survival in the North Atlantic fishery.

A compound word combining 'cod,' a type of fish from Old English 'codd,' and 'fisher,' from Old English 'fiscere,' meaning one who catches fish. It describes the Newfoundland cod trade profession.

Teal are a species of small freshwater duck, a common quarry in waterfowling. This name directly connects the Labrador to its role as a premier gundog, a purpose for which it was refined by British aristocrats. It signifies the breed's exceptional retrieving skills, its 'soft mouth' for carrying game undamaged, and its love of water. The name also evokes the beautiful blue-green color, adding a layer of natural elegance.

The name of a type of duck, likely from a Germanic root. The word is also used to describe the rich greenish-blue color found on the bird's wings.

A cute and affectionate diminutive of 'duck,' this name is a direct and playful reference to the Labrador's primary role as a waterfowling retriever. It highlights the breed's famous 'soft mouth,' a trait selectively bred to ensure they could carry birds gently without causing damage. The name is a sweet nod to the very purpose that brought the breed to prominence in England and defined its key characteristics.

A diminutive form of 'duck,' the common name for various species of waterfowl. It is often used as a term of endearment.

This name honors the Earls of Malmesbury, who were among the first British aristocrats to import the St. John's water dog in the 1830s. Their kennels at Heron Court in Dorset were foundational to the breed's development in England. The name 'Malmesbury' represents the pivotal patronage that transformed the breed from a fisherman's dog to a gentleman's gundog, ensuring its survival and refining traits like its 'soft mouth' and biddable nature.

An English place name and earldom, named after the town of Malmesbury in Wiltshire. The title is intrinsically linked to the history of the Labrador Retriever.

This name corrects a historical misnomer by honoring the Labrador Retriever's true place of origin: the island of Newfoundland. It is a direct tribute to the rugged, coastal environment where the breed's ancestor, the St. John's water dog, was developed. The name embodies the breed's entire foundational history—its work in the fisheries, its hardy nature, and its innate love of water, supported by its insulating double coat and webbed feet.

Meaning 'New Found Land,' the name given to the large island off the east coast of North America by early European explorers. It is the true origin of the Labrador.