Hi

Could anyone explain the differences between Labrador Retriever show and Labrador Retriever gun dogs.  We were wondering if we purchased a dog from a gun dog line, whether it would conform to show dog standards.

Also whether theres any difference in the temperaments.

Thanks

Although there is only one labrador standard that all should be bred towards, the show-type labrador is invariably more heavily-built and with a shorter muzzle than the working type. It's unlikely that a working-type would ever be considered for a place in the show ring! The working type is also generally more demanding of activity than the show bred ones, but temperaments should be equally good.

Working type

Show type

There are many working  (dual purpose) dogs in the Labrador ring today notable Afixes Brigburn.....Abbeystead to name two off the top of my headand  people are also trying to gain their full champion status to prove that a show dog can also be capable of working too.
This is a good trend for the show people  and can only be good for our breed.
I think when judging the breed we should also take this into consideration wether a dog would  also look to be fit for a days work.

As mattie has stated, there are a few Kennels who breed dual purpose Labradors - to show and work, so if you wanted a Labrador to be able to work a little and conform to the breed standard, then these would be the Breeders to look at first.
Another Kennel or 2 would be Leospring(Joy Venturi)(sp) and Warringah(David & Carole Coode)..............I'm sure there are quite a few more.

Personally, I think any "show" bred Labrador should be capable of doing the job for which it is intended ;-) .................as they say, Fit for Purpose, Fit for Life!

IMO, many of the solely "working" bred Labradors DO NOT resemble a Labrador, most look like whippets!

We've always had working Labs and they go all day if you allowed them, though they have always been calm in the house and never pestered to be let out or attention.

We currently have a 9 week old working Lab. I have been watching him and when he stands he has a perfect standing position for the show ring. I was thinking whether it would be worth considering putting him in the ring, but to be laughed out due to him being of working stock i'm not so sure.

I suppose the question is are the show dogs in the ring who also work, do they look like working or show stock?

The full Champions that I have seen are "show" bred Labradors...................there are working gundog classes at alot of Champ shows............... at Crufts there is a Field Trial class- that I would describe to be more "working" bred entries

Why not visit the Labrador rings at Crufts and take a peek ;-)

TBH, I really only take notice of the classes with the dogs I like to see...............maybe I should take a look at the gamekeepers rings ;-)

To be honest, until there's another Dual Champion labrador, not just (and I don't mean 'just' in a derogatory sense) Full Champions, the two extremes won't be coming together.

Knaith Banjo was the last, I believe (born in 1946!), and I can't see a dog that looks like him being considered in the ring nowadays.

The Gamekeepers' ring at Crufts is certainly an eye-opener!

The changes to the labrador standard, which comes down strongly against the carrying of excessive weight, should cause some improvement in this respect.

My black Lab has working and show in his pedigree - including a dual purpose dog (don't remember what level, but I could look it up!) and he gets absolutely nowhere in the show ring. He is the skinniest lab everytime.

(Not the skinniest handler tho!)

We've had fun though.

I may look around at the Labs at some open shows and speak to some of the handlers.

I show my Berner so Working day is where i will be at Crufts, can't handle doing Gundog to watch as well, going to take me a good 4 hours to get there i reckon anyway with traffic.

JG the Lab that you have put on the link looks a lot like our recent Lab that passed away, though not seeing the full face clearly. It may be worth a go at open shows and see what happens.

>It may be worth a go at open shows and see what happens.

I was going to make that suggestion!