English vs. American Labrador

[Lyra]

So I've been doing a lot of reading on Labradors and I wanted to ask about the difference-if any-between the English and American lines. I realize in the end they are both Labs and that there are some differences in the purposes of the breeding such as conformation and hunting. My real question is about size and temperament. I hear a lot of "the English Labs are smaller, mine is American and he's over 100lbs!" I also have heard that the English Labs are calmer and therefore more suited to most family pet lives. Is there actually a difference? Or is it just another selling point that some breeders use to sell their puppies?

This is out of my own curiosity, and I was hoping to gain some additional perspective from Lab owners who may or may not have experienced this.

[JenC]

My thought is that unless you are looking for a hunting lab or plan on doing activities that are suited for a lab of a different build, the reputable breeders (ones that prove their animals) breed the traditional looking lab or what you are calling English. There IS a difference. Temperament is highly hereditable. I am not saying you can't have a calm hunting lab. But there is something different about a lab that has generations of proven temperament behind them in their pedigree.

What it boils down to for me...the dogs LOOK different. If you like the thinner hunting lab, that's the route you have to go. If you like the shorter, stockier lab, that's the route you go. You can find reputable breeder of both styles.

[Lyra]

Thanks Jen, that is what I was thinking. I do prefer the stockier-looking Labs. If I was retired I am sure I could manage the extra energy the hunting lines require, but as of right now any dog I get is stuck to a 2-3 mile walk twice a day and 1-2 hikes a week. As soon as they are able to at least! I am hoping to maybe try getting into dock diving as well, at least just for the fun of it. Of course my luck will be that I end up with the coach potato.

[dxboon]

My advice is to not get bogged down in this type of terminology. Since you are lucky enough to be able to see a lot of Labradors at Potomac next April, if I were you, I would buy a catalog at the show, and then look at all the dogs you see there to find the look that you prefer. Last year there were around 1500 Labs entered, if I recall correctly. You will see all sorts of dogs from breeders all over the country and from other nations, as well. Note the dogs that catch your eye, and then find them by their handler's armband number in the catalog. The catalog will list their breeder, owner, and each dog's sire and dam amongst other info. This can assist you in finding a breeder who produces the kind of dog you prefer in terms of looks, and then you can delve deeper into whether the various breeders do all the right clearances and produce the kind of dog you want in terms of the activities that you will pursue/how active you are. There will be be plenty of breeders from Maryland and Virginia at the show, so you can also talk to local breeders.

I personally like what the old timer's referred to as a "fireside dog" -- one who has the drive to get up and go, do whatever work is asked of him all day, and then when indoors is happy to sit with you by the fireside.

[windycanyon]

Simple, the English ones talk w/ an accent.
I hate the terminology people use w/ regard to Labradors because it's deceiving. An English person is from England, so how many US Labs are really from England? Answer, not many.
I'm of Irish and German decent, but I'm American because I was born here.

PS My labs have some English, Swedish and French lines in them, but they are 100% American and proud of it! Just look at those smiles!

[fidgetyknees]

Simple, the English ones talk w/ an accent.
I hate the terminology people use w/ regard to Labradors because it's deceiving. An English person is from England, so how many US Labs are really from England? Answer, not many.
I'm of Irish and German decent, but I'm American because I was born here.

PS My labs have some English, Swedish and French lines in them, but they are 100% American and proud of it! Just look at those smiles!

I agree the terminology stinks, there are 3 types of labs, field bred, bench bred and neither (which I think is ok, some may disagree ... as long as the parants have clearances and the temperaments are good and the pup is not a puppy mill dog that is ok as well, after all we humans are not all smart and or good looking.

But with that being said, I have a working bred girl, she is awesome for the 2 purposes I got her for, an active pet for my active lifestyle and agility .... but she needs a job and needs a lot of exercise - that is not the kind of dog which works well for most people. So I would say stay away from the working lines unless you plan on being a very active person, high drive intense labs are not for everybody.

Forgot to mention not all field bred dogs are large, my girl weighs between 50-54 lbs (21 7/8") and is very muscled but has a light bone structure. My "maybe" puppy next year is male and I guess he will max out at 58-60 lbs and be 21 1/2 - 22 1/2" at the whithers.

[barry581]

I have English Labs. Both were born in the UK, and I imported them when they were 10 weeks old. I've known, and have been friends with their breeders for 30 years. My girl Sophie is from mainly show bred lines, and my boy Bruce is from dual purpose lines. Sophie has some working dogs in her pedigree, but mainly show dogs. Bruce's Sire is a full UK Champion, who is a top show winning dog, who also works picking up at pheasant shoots during the season, his Dam is mainly a working dog.

If I were looking for a dog here in the US, the first thing I would want is a breeder who does all pertinent clearances. Second, I'd look for temperment. Are the dogs trainable, do they work, do obedience, or other things to show their dogs can do what they were bred to do. Last would be type. I do like the bench bred type dogs, as I feel they are closest to what is outlined in the breed standard.

As others have recommended go to shows, working tests, etc, and meet and talk to breeders. I was very lucky to have met my dogs breeders all those years ago. That friendship helped create the love I have for the breed. I wish you the best of luck and keep us posted on your search!!!!!

[Lyra]

Yeah, I'm not sure why there seems to be such terminology about Labradors. I read on the Labrador retriever club website that they do not differentiate between the two kinds. Mostly, it has been breeders and people I know who mention the two. I honestly didn't know about it until I started speaking with people and doing some reading.

[Tanya]

you got great info above so I won't go into more on that other than to agree, don't get bogged down with terminology and look at what breeders DO and the work behind their lines.
Also - remember LOTS of people TALK a great deal but KNOW little. So take lots of online stuff with a grain of salt until you know the experience and knowledge behind those saying it.

Thanks Jen, that is what I was thinking. I do prefer the stockier-looking Labs. If I was retired I am sure I could manage the extra energy the hunting lines require, but as of right now any dog I get is stuck to a 2-3 mile walk twice a day and 1-2 hikes a week. As soon as they are able to at least! I am hoping to maybe try getting into dock diving as well, at least just for the fun of it. Of course my luck will be that I end up with the coach potato.

I don't know that two 2-3 miles on leash walks (or did you mean off leash?) would be enough for a young lab no matter the lines. a lab should still remain a sporting dog even if they are not "edgy and crazy" and generally need an hour or so of OFF LEASH play DAILY during phases of their life (6 months - 24 months ish). for a teenage lab to be "ok" with that would be an EXTREMELY VERY lazy line.

[doubledip1]

you got great info above so I won't go into more on that other than to agree, don't get bogged down with terminology and look at what breeders DO and the work behind their lines.
Also - remember LOTS of people TALK a great deal but KNOW little. So take lots of online stuff with a grain of salt until you know the experience and knowledge behind those saying it.



I don't know that two 2-3 miles on leash walks (or did you mean off leash?) would be enough for a young lab no matter the lines. a lab should still remain a sporting dog even if they are not "edgy and crazy" and generally need an hour or so of OFF LEASH play DAILY during phases of their life (6 months - 24 months ish). for a teenage lab to be "ok" with that would be an EXTREMELY VERY lazy line.

I have an extremely, very lazy line ;-) She gets off leash play a minimum of 5 days a week, usually for at least half an hour, but she definitely doesn't get an hour every single day and she's happy. But some days she gets 4 hours and she's a happy little clam.