English Labs, American, field-type, show dog - how can there be so many different styles of dogs and all be considered Labradors? My guess is that the breed is just too popular - what is it, 15 years now that they've been the #1 breed in America per the AKC? Distinctive styles have evolved to suit everyone's varying tastes, and I'm not saying that's a good thing, it just is.

The English Labs tend to have heavy bodies, blocky heads and short legs. This is where most of the current show dogs come from. I think they're a product of the more is better syndrome - the standard calls for a broad head, so let's make it massive, etc. They're also a product of what wins - a dog wins Best of Breed at a prestigious show and people sign up in droves to breed to him in hopes of duplicating him and his wins. Unfortunately some of these dogs have become caricatures of the original Labs who were bred to be field dogs. A 120 pound, 22" dog with profuse coat wouldn't be my first choice to chase wild ringnecks in South Dakota.

On the other hand, American Labs tend to be tall and slender with whip-like tails and lots of energy. These are the field dogs who can spend all day hunting or running multiple marks at tremendous distances and still want more. They too are products of the more is better and the whatever wins syndromes. These dogs are generally bred for their abilities rather than their looks - trainability, marking ability, and intelligence. These breedings are all about trying to produce field trial winners with less regard for the dog's structure or appearance.

I've seen an adult female Lab who had the height, bone structure and even head shape of a Whippet. I've also seen a huge adult male Lab who had heavy bone, massive head, thick coat and, except for the height difference, could have been mistaken for a Newfoundland.

To be fair, dogs from both ends of the spectrum fill particular needs and are loved and cherished by their owners. Plus there are many dogs that fall somewhere between the two extremes. However the extremes are quite different from the classic Lab - a medium sized dog who loved to retrieve.

I imagine owners of both styles are asked, "What breed of dog is that?" If that's the case then those dogs are not "typy." Type equals that which makes a Lab distinguishable from a Golden or a Rottie or a German Shepherd. According to the Labrador standard, the "most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an 'otter' tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its 'kind' friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament."

Here are a couple of classic Labs:


Another great from the past was CH Shamrock Acres Light Brigade. "Briggs was an outstanding show dog and sire. He produced 93 AKC Champions and won 12 Best in Show awards and 75 Sporting Group placements." Compared to show dogs today he had way more leg and less substance, but look at those shoulders and the balance! I'd bet he moved exceptionally well.


I am happy to see some progress - or at least interest - in returning to the moderate Lab, one not overdone or underdone in body style and that still has the desire to retrieve.


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