OMG have we split THAT much?

[Fishdogs]

I took Flounder and Snapper to the Florida State Fair today. We were working the Dog Training Club of St Petersburg booth.

We had a great time and it was very busy, but I can't believe how many people asked what kind of dogs they were, and were genuinely shocked when I said they were Labrador Retrievers. The REALLY bad thing is that some people argued they were too big, and some said too small! (Flounder is 24" 78Lbs and snapper is 21" 67 LBS) One lady insisted Snapper had to be Golden Retriever because her hair was so long! (it's double coat, but not real think coat by any means). One guy said snapper was part Sherpei (sp?) because she has lots of loose skin (at least THAT I understand)!

How sad that the top registered breed in AKC is so misunderstood! My kids are not show material, but Snapper is conformationally correct in almost all aspects and Flounder is certainly typey enough to be labeled as "all lab" what else would they be?

[Parapara]

...People can be so ridiculous.


I would tell them they're all tiger, and ferocious as heck, so they'd better watch out.

[Fishdogs]

Originally Posted by Parapara

...People can be so ridiculous.


I would tell them they're all tiger, and ferocious as heck, so they'd better watch out.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! I will use that line next Monday when we're back there! I need to remember they're just people asking questions....it's not personal!

[LuckyLuna]

My Luna is 56 lbs. and barely makes breed standard height. Although 2 1/2 yrs. old, she is constantly mistaken for a puppy. I'm often told, "Oh look at her paws - she'll probably grow up to be a big girl." When I say she is full grown, they look confused and ask if she is "full lab". Arrrrgh.

[Karenvm]

It bugs me too, the way people think Labs are supposed to be these tall, 110 lb giants!! My male is gorgeous, with great confirmation. My female is just under 50 lbs at 15 months, and pretty small, but will likely fill out as she matures. Her mom was on the smaller side, so I expected her to be smaller.

[windycanyon]

I hate to say this, but I think some of this misconception has come from rescue organizations. I am seeing more and more dogs every day, mislabelled as "Labs" or "Lab mixes" that are in no way predominantly Labrador. All one has to do is go spend some time on Petfinder or similar to see this. Flame suit on.

Do you have a copy of the LRC Illustrated Standard? If not, order one! Anne

[nikkiluvsu15]

There are tons of rescues labeled at Lab's and Lab mixes. Same thing goes with Pits. I guess cause these two breeders are the most "popular" every one at the rescue/shelter has to be one!

Of course.... They got Harleigh's wrong. Dane/Bullmastiff While she might have some Great Dane in her, I think she's majority Lab, evidently not a "proper" one, but still plenty Lab in her.

It really does bug me though... when people argue with me. "No way does she have any Lab in her" or "Yes. She's full Lab, no other breed in her. Are you going to breed her?"

[Hailey's Mom]

Originally Posted by windycanyon

I hate to say this, but I think some of this misconception has come from rescue organizations. I am seeing more and more dogs every day, mislabelled as "Labs" or "Lab mixes" that are in no way predominantly Labrador. All one has to do is go spend some time on Petfinder or similar to see this. Flame suit on.

Do you have a copy of the LRC Illustrated Standard? If not, order one! Anne

HAHA! I've been involved with rescue for 13 yrs, but I agree with you (to a degree) and have no flaming, just a point of view.

While this is true, people also fail to educate themselves on the registered breeds (labs, as well as, others) which is just as detrimental. I know plenty of mutts people have surrendered to us and wrote on the form the dog is a full lab, yet the dog is 100lbs, black and tan and fluffy. Rescues tend to label dogs, especially black mixed breeds as lab because they have the "family dog" reputation AND petfinder (as you mentioned) does NOT allow a selection for mixed breed dogs. When profiling, you must select a primary registered breed, so Lab becomes the easiest choice. I'm not saying its right but at least some rescues will write in the profile the dog is a complete mix and actual breed background is unknown leaving it up to the potential adopters to do their research.

In my opinion, rescues should not be held totally accountable for ignorant individuals, responsible maybe for being persuasive but certainly not totally accountable. Most people understand a dog coming from a shelter is 99% of the time a mixed breed. If anything its the puppies coming from byb and pet stores labeled as well bred Labradors and their owners parading around calling them purebreds from such and such bloodline that more greatly persuade the "common look" of a breed.

[mhb]

Your dogs are clearly all lab, but in truth, there is a wider variation even amoung pure bred labs. Even within the breed standard you can have dogs that do look different. And then of course the field trial labs that dont even come close to breed standard on purpose. Im not saying whether its good or bad, it is the reality today, so its no wonder the public gets confused.

Oscar is classic bench lab, and I think anyway, about as typical as you can get. Cassie is obviously field trial and a more extreme version at that. I dont even think she looks like a lab, but she sure acts like one.

I love the breed. All of them, and for me health and temperment are the most important things. this is a very volatile subject so that's all i'll say.

[Kathy]

I used to be questioned all the time about Beauregard. My all-time favorite ignoramus is the fellow we met while at the local hospital during our weekly therapy dog visit.
He stopped me to ask what kind of dog Beauie was. When I replied that he was a chocolate Lab, the fellow said "No he's not. I have a chocolate Lab at home and he doesn't look anything like that. He must be a mix."
After I informed the guy that not only was Beauregard all Lab, he was a show champion as well, he shut up.
This is Beauregard in his show days. http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...eauregard_.jpg
Maybe folks around here are becoming more educated because I find I don't get asked that question about my other Labs quite as much.
Kathy

[mhb]

Originally Posted by Kathy

I used to be questioned all the time about Beauregard. My all-time favorite ignoramus is the fellow we met while at the local hospital during our weekly therapy dog visit.
He stopped me to ask what kind of dog Beauie was. When I replied that he was a chocolate Lab, the fellow said "No he's not. I have a chocolate Lab at home and he doesn't look anything like that. He must be a mix."
After I informed the guy that not only was Beauregard all Lab, he was a show champion as well, he shut up.
This is Beauregard in his show days. http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...eauregard_.jpg
Maybe folks around here are becoming more educated because I find I don't get asked that question about my other Labs quite as much.
Kathy

Handsome lab.

[PopTop]

Originally Posted by windycanyon

I hate to say this, but I think some of this misconception has come from rescue organizations. I am seeing more and more dogs every day, mislabelled as "Labs" or "Lab mixes" that are in no way predominantly Labrador. All one has to do is go spend some time on Petfinder or similar to see this. Flame suit on.

Do you have a copy of the LRC Illustrated Standard? If not, order one! Anne

Ditto. Ditto.
I don't mind the questions, it's those who argue that I am wrong are the ones that bother me. People can only go by what they see on TV, etc., Petfinder, etc. The programs that catch their attention the most, the stories of rescues, trying to train the undisciplined mix breeds. So many are labeled lab mix so they are getting a flood of wrong information as to what a real lab should look like.
Use the opportunity as a teaching tool for those who will listen and let the opinions of others roll off your back. YOU know your pups and how great they are and that's all that matters.

[bayril]

Originally Posted by Kathy

I used to be questioned all the time about Beauregard. My all-time favorite ignoramus is the fellow we met while at the local hospital during our weekly therapy dog visit.
He stopped me to ask what kind of dog Beauie was. When I replied that he was a chocolate Lab, the fellow said "No he's not. I have a chocolate Lab at home and he doesn't look anything like that. He must be a mix."
After I informed the guy that not only was Beauregard all Lab, he was a show champion as well, he shut up.
This is Beauregard in his show days. http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/g...eauregard_.jpg
Maybe folks around here are becoming more educated because I find I don't get asked that question about my other Labs quite as much.
Kathy

Gorgeous chocolate Kathy

[3Muttsketeers]

Wow, what a gorgeous chocolate!

I personally think that people are not used to the big, blocky heads of the show labs, or English labs. Most seem to be more used to seeing the American field lab or something in between. There really is a big difference between them.

[Tide's Mom]

If I had a nickle for every time I've been asked "is that a Lab?" about Tide, I would be one rich person!!! Tide is far from perfect, but, does fit into the standard. I'm asked at least once a week if Tide is a full bred Lab, seriously. The other day I was asked "did she just get groomed? She's so fluffy!". I replied, "her coat always looks like that". The lady rolled her eyes at me thinking I was trying to be a smart arse. Oh well........