I am looking to buy a yellow labrador and I've been told that I shouldn't get a showdog but a working labrador. Apparently, a working labrador is not has high set. Looking for comments

Thanks

Not sure what you mean by "high set". If you want it as a family pet then go for a show dog, if you are wanting to work the dog then a working dog will be fine. But a working dog would not be happy as a family pet and could well make a nuisence of it's self. Ja:)kie

Im not sure whether I should comment as I haven't had labs before, but have a springer and a cocker both from working lines - neither are worked as in actually shot over, or go beating or picking up or anything to do with the gundog world (although I have looked into it and would love to give it a try!) but are 'kind of worked' in as much as they do Agility and obedience etc to keep them occupied. I personally (and this is just a personal opinion) have no problems seeing working line dogs in pet homes as long as they are exercised sufficiently and given enough to 'think' about , I play hunting games with my spaniels, where I hide a particular toy, sometimes in the house and sometimes outside in the garden, we have even done it at the park, and they have to 'seek it on' - they have to find the toy and bring it to me! they love it, it keeps them busy and exercises their brains as well - I also have had no worries with temperament issues with my spaniels either, they are gentle with the kids and not boisterous at all, in fact they are usually so knackered they flop down in the house and don't move!! I know a lot of people feel that working line dogs are not suited to a pet life - but I feel that as long as you recognise what is deeply ingrained in them and keep them busy there isn't a problem, I feel the problems arise when you have a working dog and expect it to be a lap dog - that said 'daddy's little prince' makes a very fine lap dog :D!!! I am sure some lab people will be able to give you better advice as to the suitability of working labs though! Julie:)

Julie you are right of course if you give a working dog enough work to do then there is no problem, but why, if you have the choice, not buy the best for your needs in the first place. Show dogs are calmer and happy to lie around but workers need work. We need John realy because I am only speaking from second hand info.
Ja:)kie

Sorry, What I might to say this thick set or broader by comparrison. I just want the labrador as a family pet

Yes you are correct show labs are more thick set than working labs. But if what you want is a family pet IMO you would be better off with a well bred show Lab. But you know your life style and if you are very active and the dog can join in then you may prefer a working dog. I'm sure if you hang on a while you will get some Lab owners on the thread who will give you a more informed opinion, with a bit of luck John will offer his advice, but I think he works during the day and may post tonight. Ja:)kie

If John does log on he can email me at my home address of suzmartin@lineone.net. Or anyone else with info on lab's

Suzanne

Welcome to the forum Suzanne :-)

Have a word with:
John and/or with Mattie. They are both experienced Lab owners :-)

Thanks Leigh knew there was someone else but could not remember who, sorry Mattie.
Ja:)kie

Thistle is a working strain lab, but we keep her as a pet. I agree that you have to be careful to keep these dogs occupied, but we give Thistle lots of exercise (we live in the middle of pheasant country ) and we go to obedience classes. We have never had a moment's trouble with her and she has a fantastic temperament. I chose her because I wanted a smaller 'large' dog, if you get my meaning. I would certainly recommend her as a family pet. I may be wrong, but I feel she has been easier to train and handle than the 'big set show dog' type labs that I have met.
Jane

Hi Suzzanne.
You are right that the working Labs are inclined to be lighter in build than Labradors from Show lines but of course the breed runs the full gamut. In fact the Labradors of yesteryear were rather different dogs to the dogs of today. If you look in old Labrador books at pictures of Whatstandwell Coronet or Kneath Banjo as two examples. To me, one of the first of the modern type Labs was Ruler Of Blaircourt who was behind the famous old Sandylands lines of Tweed, Tan and Tandy, dogs which can be found at the back of virtually all modern show Labradors and for that matter some working lines too! I must say here that personally I still prefer the old type! (But then I'm old!!!)

Over the years I've had both show and work bred dogs and in the main the show dogs have been easier to live with. Anna for example wakes at 6-30am and goes to sleep at 11pm. In between she is on the go, never sleeps. The Field Trials bred bitch put to a field trials dog can really be a handful, a real perpetual motion machine! of course, that’s the extreme and there are all points in between.

Go and look at some puppies, have a look at the dam, her nature should give you some sort of idea how the puppies will finish up. But remember, all young Labradors can be a handful!

Email me if you want and you feel I can be of help.

Regards, John

Thanks all for your replies. I am going to look at several puppies on the weekend will let you know how I got on

Suzanne

I quite agree with thistle - we had a working-bred lab who was a dream to train (clean and dry in the house day AND NIGHT by 9 weeks old, carrying the newspaper from the shop at 14 weeks, etc), and being slightly lighter built she was active enough to enjoy family walks without getting exhausted. She lived to be 13 and never let us down. She was a total delight. I'd go for a working-bred every time.
By the way, she was kept purely as a pet, not to work.

Regards her looks, she closely resembled "Stranger", one of the very early Labs in this country. As far as I can work out, to get another looking like her we will have to go for a "Drakeshead" bitch - they look similar. We preferred her looks to the heavy-set, small labs we've seen in the showring - is it me, or do they all need to lose half a stone?

Hi
I think it depends on what you want from your Lab as to which would be more suitable.A working strain lab is bred as much for intelligence and working instinct as for looks so it would need more mental stimulation than its show bred cousin.
So if you want a dog to train to a higher level than just basic obedince go for a working strain .If you want a nice pet and companion i would personally go for a show bred Lab.
At the end of the day although looks are important ,they're secondary to a dogs nature and suitability for you and your family.
Good luck in your decision,Archer.

Suzanne,

I have a black Labrador bred from showdogs. She is only a puppy at the moment, but she seems to me to be a very affectionate pet.

Michael
6 December 2002