Dewclaws

Did you read the article I posted ? Field labradors have much higher drives than the original standard . This why they are only suitable for certain owners . Surely it's in their interest to distinguish this from other labradors ?

I imagine for any changes to happen it would need to come from the field breeders corner , it's seems the show breeders actually have the advantage because they are breeding a dog more 'stereotypical ' of the breed . While imagine an average puppy buyer would be shocked to contact a field lab breeder abd be told their pups are only suitable as a working dog and not a pet . The author of that article I posted seems to think the differences are just going to intensify . So it might naturally divide more as years go by .

Rebenne read the link I think it explains the difference in types and why I think for people seeking a particular labrador separating the types would be easier for people after a lab.. Pretty much neither of the types are like the original labrador originally described in the standard or the purpose it was bred for . My original name was smithy the cairn , haven't been on here for years though . Still have my two gorgeous cairns smithy abd Ruffles .

Going back to my original example collies vic both cover smooth and rough types but they are clearly differentiated on dogz online . Couldint dog clubs for labradors support both types IF they officially became separate breeds ?

Here is a good article describing the different types . Personally I think the original labrador would have fallen some where beween the two types . http://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-breed-information/the-difference-between-american-and-english-labradors/

Yes but the majority of labradors being bred will never ever see or retrieve a duck . The majority are being bred for pets . This of course could be said for many working types of different breeds . Maybe my thread tithe should of been 'should working lines of breeds be under different registries abd listed separately '.

In what world is it criticism ? That's exactly what was said in puppy listing that they do not breed for the pet market . There are probably some show breeders producing lab puppies that would make poor gun dogs . Neither type would technically fit the original standard . YOUR the one interpreting that as criticism . As they say , if you seek out offense , you will find one .

Many registered labrador breeders send puppies to the different guide dogs society's around australia . They breed some and buy some .

Oh yes the typical dogz online snarkiness coming in lol . I am not a newbie . Different profile due to old email a dress not being used anymore . Where am I criticizing breeders? I think it's excellent that field lab breeders are making a it very clear that these animals have high drive . It's extremely responsible of them . My point is wouldn't they themselves prefer a clear separate distinction?. So on dogzonline you would have labradors , then underneath field labradors . Because it's not just a physical difference but a temprement difference . My point with guide dogs was that it shows the massive spectrum in labador temperaments . What they originally were bred to do seem defunct now when you have such widely different dogs all called labradors . Surely field labrador breeders would like to 'own ' their type with a more descriptive name ?

I know thar Rebbane but there are registered lab breeders on dogzonline who will not sell to pet homes due to them being unsuitable . Ideally a lab should be able 'all rounder ' which luckily my pup is his nz bred father comes from both a working and showing breeder . Yet some lab breeders are producing dogs that more further removed from the standard and have so much drive that they need to work to be happy . They would be totally unsuitable for a guide dog as an example .

Hmm very interesting . I guess though what I struggle with is what makes a dog a labrador? If two dogs (one field one show type ) have more differences than things in common are they really the same breed?

Yes but if the registering under the same goverment body surely they should be following the same standard? It's just no physical difference , but temperament difference . Aren't working border collies for example registered under a different government body ? It's like so called 'silver labradors ' they need to be registered as chocolate labradors because it's not an approved colour (more likely a x breed ) yet they still register them as purebred dogs .

This is my Labs grandfather http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/profile.asp?dog=53139 This is a field lab from a reputable breeder https://www.google.com.au/search?q=black+field+labrador&oq=black+fiekd+labeador&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l2.8371j0j4&client=tablet-android-samsung&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#imgrc=jxcRtehcDxF47M%3A They look like different breed!How can they go under the same standard without the standard being a farce ?

Out of curiosity though who decides when a breed is different enough to classified as a sub breed? Some of the field bred labs I have seen look more similar to a pointer!

Hi all. I am getting my long awaited for lab puppy in a couple of weeks . Naturally I have sort of became totally obsessed with the breed ,different training techniques Ect . What I can sort of expect . Many times it's mentioned different 'types of labradors ' the working lines and the show bred lines and a mixture in between . I am a bit befuddled how some very different pedigree dogs that come under the same breed standard can look and act so different yet still be considered the same . For example the rough and smooth collies only difference in length of coat , yet on dogzonline they are listed as different breeds and not showed together . Yet there is currently a puppy listing in labradors who say their working field labradors are not suitable as family pets , yet a listing just underneath say they breed labradors that make wonderful family pets which are show types . Is in the main object with breeding is for consistency and to improve the breed? Yet it seems some labrador breeders have different objectives . Why are some breed types divided due to more benign reasons (like coat length ) or size (three types of poodles ) yet a more significant difference like energy levels and drive plus a totally different appearance in body shape (field labs tend to be leaner , leggier and thinner faces ) don't get divided . It would certainly make people finding a suitable lab for their needs easier . I have been on some usa lab forums and there it's even more confusing . They call their working labs 'American labradors ' and there deffinetly seems to be bigger challenges for them finding a suitable pup . Any opinions ?

With a house full of 4 kids 2 dogs (soon to be three ) and a cat I have nil soft furnishings in my house . Hard wood floors, wooden chairs, leather lounge and wood furniture . I soften it with throw rugs and cushions that can easily be thrown in the wash . When we bought a new 7 seater car the top priority was leather seating a good wash brings everything back to new mo matter what smells the dogs or kids create . Baby wipes or kitchen wipes scattered around house or cars are my friend . So op . Get a new car with leather seats lol .

How disappointing Tor . Hopefully the wait won't be to long for another litter .

Hi all . We are getting a labrador puppy in the first week of January . Incredibly excited about it all ! It's a little chocolate boy we are naming Benson, Benny for short , he will join our two cairn terriers . My oldest daughter and I are learning clicker training . We have been planning this for about 4 years . I pretty nervous as well . I have not had a large breed puppy since I was a child . Anyone have any tips with labrador puppies ?

Kyketami kennels is our breeder . Looks like I might not get up to visit like I wanted to , this weekend I will be flat out working . I might send a toy and treats in the mail though . I get to pick him up in the first week of January anyway . Not much longer !

When humans feel guilt it's because we feel vulnerable . Vulnerable that we have gone against social expectations and fitting in with the 'human condition ' . Feeling vulnerable creates fear . This fear is not much different to what a dog feels . They feel fear that they have not met the expectations they need to meet to feel secure . Thus they are vulnerable . Guilt and fear , displeasing their alfa . Such a fine line dividing these emotions that it's a bit of impossible to say with surety that dogs don't feel guilt .

I am getting a chocolate lab as a walking partner for me and my girls and to altert us for intruders . I am hoping dumb criminals think he us a red nosed pit bull . If you squint your eyes and turn your head to the side you can kinda imagine it .....lol.

Hi all . I have not been on DOL for years.... use to come on when I got my female cairn terrier 10 years ago . I still have my two cairn terriers , Ruffles and smithy, both aged 12 and 10 and am excited that after many years planning I am getting a chocolate labrador in the first week of January . This pup will technically be My eldest daughter who is 12 but all the rest if the family is very excited . Anyway next weekend we get to visit pup for the first time at 6 weeks . 4 days before Christmas . I thought it might be nice to buy a little gift for him. But then I thought it might cause fight within the litter . Then I though perhaps a treat for mum and all the pups . A pig ear or some other chewy treat maybe a big bag of smackos? Perhaps the breeder might not like that though? Thanks for any feed back!

I imagine they would be great as 'Hollywood dogs ' in that they could play wolves without actually being one . Much easier to train a dog than a real wolf . Over the years I have seen enough malamutes and huskies being used as wolves to see there is a need for a more realistic looking dog . Gorgeous animal .