The name Labrador is carried by both a breed of hunting dogs and a mineral from the group of feldspars. Both names are associated with the Labrador Peninsula, located in eastern Canada. The peninsula itself is named after the Portuguese navigator João Fernandez Lavrador, who first described it.
Labrador retriever
Currently, Labradors are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are playful and friendly. Do not harbor aggression towards people and other animals. They are easy to train and train. Behave well when surrounded by small children. Therefore, they are often kept as pets.
Initially, Labradors are one of several types of retrievers. This is a type of hunting dog, the task of which is to find and bring the killed prey to the owner. Labradors are still highly valued for waterfowl hunting.
The ancestor of the Labrador Retriever is the legendary St. John's water dog. They were strong and stocky dogs of medium size and black color, with characteristic white spots on the chest, chin, legs and muzzle.
St. John's dogs were known for their great love of swimming. Travelers described that as early as the 17th century, fishermen from the island of Newfoundland took them with them to fish. Dogs pulled fish nets out of the water.
At home, on the island of Newfoundland, this breed of dog is completely extinct. In Europe, and more specifically in England, the dogs of St. John were brought in the twenties of the nineteenth century. The story is told that the Earl of Malmesbury, upon seeing these dogs in a fishing boat, was so impressed by the dexterity that he immediately bought several dogs and sent them to England. Here, after crossing with several local English breeds, the Labrador breed appeared.
The breed got its name from the Canadian peninsula. Although her ancestral home is still Newfoundland.
Labrador mineral
Mineral labrador belongs to the group of plagiclases, which, in turn, are included in the group of feldspars. The stone, like the dog, got its name from the Labrador Peninsula, near which, on St. Paul's Island, it was first found in 1770.
The mineral is famous for its iridescence, bright play of colors. It can emit blue, green, red, yellow and orange glow. Individual stones have a "cat's eye" or "peacock feather" shine. Today the best samples with exceptional iridescence are called spectrolites.
Thanks to the unique iridescent play of color, the Labrador is used in jewelry. It was especially popular at the end of the nineteenth century in Europe, where it was often used in conjunction with diamonds. Today Labrador Retrievers are rarely seen in mass-market jewelry stores. It is more commonly used by jewelers and designers to make custom-made unique pieces of jewelry.
The breed with Labrador inclusions is widely used as a finishing material. Small sculptures, tabletops, window sills, various souvenirs and handicrafts are also made from it.
