The Labrador Retriever, Labrador or just Lab, is a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dog. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in many nations. The first photograph of the breed was taken in 1856 (the Earl of Home's dog 'Nell', described both as a Labrador and a St. John's dog). The Labrador Retriever, Labrador or just Lab, is a medium-large breed of retriever-gun dog. The Labrador is the most popular breed of dog in many nations. The first photograph of the breed was taken in 1856 (the Earl of Home's dog 'Nell', described both as a Labrador and a St. John's dog). However, Field Labradors should still be proportional and fit within American Kennel Club standards. With Field Labradors, excessively long noses, thin heads, long legs, and lanky frames are not considered standard. These two types are informal and not codified or standardised; no distinction is made by the AKC or other kennel clubs, but the two types come from different breeding lines.