Loose skin - what is the purpose?

[Labradorks]

Does anyone know what the purpose of loose skin is on our Labs (not so much field type Labs)? Specifically the dewlap, neck and face area? I'm not talking about sudden loose skin, like a medical issue. Does it have to do with trapping scent (like a hound)? Something to do with swimming in cold water? The ability to work in cover without injury?

[SunDance]

https://www.cuteness.com/article/sagging-skin-dogs

There was a different page on "cuteness" but copying it gave me a duplicate of this one. Anyhow, Google has a bunch of hits for why certain breeds have loose skin.

[windycanyon]

There is no purpose in the Lab from what I see, but it's an increasingly disturbing trend! It's incorrect per the breed standard. I'm seeing far too many show judges rewarding it.

[Annette47]

There is no purpose in the Lab from what I see, but it's an increasingly disturbing trend! It's incorrect per the breed standard. I'm seeing far too many show judges rewarding it.

My personal theory (which is only a theory) is it’s related to the other changes in the breed over the year - the trend toward bigger heads, thicker coats, etc. I think the loose skin just kind of goes along with that.

[janedoe]

No idea but Fran's is irritating as can be. It gets more droopy as she ages and when her allergies kick up she scratches and it gets yeasty so I have to get in there and clean it up. Good to know it's not a breed standard.

[TuMicks]

Rocket Dog has rolls of excess skin from her throat to her breast bone. I call them her "wattles". When she's sitting, and I put her collar on, I think I have it tight enough. But when she stands up, it would practically fall off if she lowered her head.

BUT... now that you mention it, I started thinking about almost all the field dogs I know and they do not have that long upper lip (I think they call it the "flew") that show dogs have. I think Annette must be right. It seems to be a characteristic of the show lines that has nothing to do with the standard.

And I couldn't figure out what it was I didn't like. As you can see from RD's picture, she has lots of loose skin and long ears so, I wasn't sure why I thought her head was more correct. Answer, it's not. It's her flew. It makes her look cleaner. (Good thing, too. If she had a droopy upper lip she would look exactly like a black blood hound.)

[windycanyon]

My personal theory (which is only a theory) is it’s related to the other changes in the breed over the year - the trend toward bigger heads, thicker coats, etc. I think the loose skin just kind of goes along with that.

I agree. It came along w/ rewarding the mastiff type heads. SO WRONG!!! Our labs should be clean, free from "throatiness", I believe is the wording. I'm seeing so many droopy eyes (oh so wrong for the field where seeds and other debri become factors) and even I recognized that as a fault in Winnie, my very first Lab back in the early 90's and bred away from it (thankfully it was pretty easy to correct).

[TuMicks]

Oh, I am so glad to hear you guys say that because that is something that has really bothered me... the mastiff head. I couldn't articulate it, but now that I read you discussing this, it occurs to me that that is one of the aesthetic turn offs for me. I think if there were ring competitors that had a cleaner look I might warm up to them more.

[windycanyon]

Oh, I am so glad to hear you guys say that because that is something that has really bothered me... the mastiff head. I couldn't articulate it, but now that I read you discussing this, it occurs to me that that is one of the aesthetic turn offs for me. I think if there were ring competitors that had a cleaner look I might warm up to them more.

The LRC tries to get the lab judges out to watch hunt tests and field trials--- so they can see that "function" side of the breed, but it's hard. Americans are after fashion. There are some REALLY nice classic looking labs around w/ the older breeders especially. I've always loved Tango's clean look but unfortunately she doesn't carry near enough coat to finish off the package. Always something!!!