Types of labs
When
you research the Labrador Retriever you may come across
lots of different lingo regarding the make up and
build of the Lab. Many people think that there are
different types of Labs. Physically speaking, there
has been a split in the road for some lines of Labradors.
People refer to them as English vs. American or Bench/Show
vs. Field Labs.
This brings us to the issue of "type."
If one were to look at examples from two different
breeds of dog, one could distinguish quite easily
between a Labrador Retriever and a Cocker Spaniel.
There are very obvious differences between the two
which make them recognizable as distinct breeds from
one another. However, if all the dogs in the world
were Labrador Retrievers, one would have to look for
more subtle differences such as head-shape, coat texture,
tail set, etc. to distinguish between two dogs. This
is how a Labrador fancier looks at Labradors. He does
not look at the obvious differences, he can see the
subtle ones.
Over the years, Labradors have been categorized in
various ways usually pertaining to their appearance
or type. For instance, American vs. English, and field
vs. show. In each case the former represents the individuals
longer in body, neck and tail, and taller and lighter-boned;
the latter represents those individuals which are
more compact, stocky, and heavy-boned. Although many
people use the term English to refer
to show and American to refer to
field, there are actually American show bloodlines
as well as English field bloodlines. Furthermore,
there are actually more types than just American and
English.
Typically, the English type describes
those dogs which are very short-coupled, stocky, heavy-boned,
and have broad heads with shorter, more square muzzles.
Tails are usually very fat (as thick as a forearm).
Size is at the lower end of the American standard
height, but the males can weigh about 85 pounds; females
about 65 to 70 pounds. In regard to temperament, English
Labs tend to be more laid-back and sedate, reaching
emotional maturity much more quickly than Labs of
other descent. In general, because of their build,
English Labs do run a higher risk for hip-joint subluxation
which leads to shallow acetabulums and mild forms
of hip dysplasia. Many of these dogs are built very
wide in the rear and their muscle tone does not develop
at a sufficient pace with their bone development.
Furthermore, they do have a tendency toward obesity
which may further make them candidates for HD. However,
most of these dogs remain clinically asymptomatic
for hip dysplasia and it is not a degenerative form
seen more typically in the American and Field lines.
Additionally, epilepsy is probably more preponderant
in the English lines. Because hereditary epilepsy
in these dogs is usually mild, with seizures occurring
infrequently and not requiring medication, some English
breeders have never felt this form of epilepsy to
be a reason to exclude dogs from their breeding programs.
Similar to the English type is another type which
is referred to as the New England Water Lab.
These Labs are very short and compact dogs often described
as "beer barrels with short legs". The NE
water Lab is an off-shoot of English lines, but with
lighter bone and less exageration of head and features.
These dogs were selected through many generations
for their size because many waterfowl hunters in the
New England area needed a small, compact retriever
that they could drag in and out of the boats easily.
Therefore, a shorter leg and topline resulting in
a very small, compact type of Lab gave rise to the
New England Water Lab "type". Many of these
dogs fall below the American standard for height.
In regard to temperament, these dogs are great family
dogs but are slightly more energenic than the English
lines.
The American-show (bench) type is
more of an overall moderate version of Lab, free of
exaggerated features, and therefore, typical to the
written standard of the breed. Though many have nicely
shaped heads and expressions, they are not as over-done
as the English dogs. They are mid-sized, neither small
nor large, but average. They are active as puppies
and tend to be moderately active adults.
The American Field Lab was bred and
selected for speed and endurance in the field and
is an opposite version of the NE water Lab: where
the NE Lab is short-legged and compact for swimming,
field labs are designed for speed and endurance in
the field and are long in leg and lanky in body. This
Lab "type" has been selected for in the
central and mid-west part of the U.S. where field
trials are more popular. Because of the working
demands placed on these dogs, high-energy and "drive"
are qualities required in field Labs. In terms of
temperament, though some are head-strong and require
an experienced hand for training, these dogs are extremely
intelligent and develop strong bonds with their human
companions. Unfortunately, however, the average pet
owner may not have the experience or tolerance required
to achieve such a companionable relationship with
these dogs.
Be aware that these are just generalizations and type
and temperament are more dependent on the breeding
cross and therefore, unique to the individual dog.
Additionally, many of the Labs today have a mixture
of English and American show and or field bloodlines,
therefore, some Labs that may have English bloodlines
may look more American and vise versa depending on
the actual breeding and the outcome of the cross.
Therefore, the particular "type" we use
to refer to the Lab may have nothing to do with the
actual ancestry of the dog, but rather the overall
appearance of the dog.
When considering a Lab it is important to know one's
preference in type.
©2000, 1992 Pamela A. Davol, Wing-N-Wave
Labradors
Still Confused?
Click on this link to see more discussion on the English vs. American Labradors.
back