A friend of mine has just told me she's going to buy a lab next spring. She doesnt have a computer so i offered to do some research for her.
what 'health' tests are advised and what scores are acceptable?
Is there difference in intelligence between the colours?
could someone please find me some links showing the 'working type' and 'show type'
What are the tempraments like in the above type?
What is the price of a good puppy from a responsible breeder?
I have already told her to avoid 'puppy farms' like the plague!
Any help will be great!

well there are lots of far more qualified lab experts o this board but I'll start you off cos its better than having to do work.

Hip scoring is a must for labs and a score of 16 is average for a lab.

Opinions in differences in intelligence for colours varies. I personally think that they're all the same and in all 3 colours you get some clever and some loonies.
But then that is becasue I've got a chocolate which a lot of people say are the "bimbo" of the labrador world :D
Now Darcy is definitly a bimbo but I'm sure she would have been even if she was black or yellow!
Luck of the draw really.

Cant do links to show you the difference but in terms of temperament they are both quite similar. I have found show types to be a lot lazier and have far less stamina. Working labs can go all day every day and so need far more stimulation to keep them occupied.

Prices vary depending on the standard of the pedigree but I would expect to pay anything from £300 - £500 depending on the colour and type you choose.

brilliant advice rachael.
there is no difference between colours.
i would say working labs, are best of in working homes rather than pet ones, as like rachael said they have unlimited stamina and will not be 100% happy unless it is working all day.
for pet homes i would suggest a show type labs, expect to pay 450-550.

Good luck
Gemma x

It's the parents who need to be hip and eye scored, not the pup, you can't get this done till they're about one.
I think all the stories about differences in temperament and colour are purely anecdotal, I don't think any independant studies have been done.
We have a working lab in a pet home and she's a great pet. I'm not sure I agree that show labs make better pets. Show labs tend to be heavier and more difficult for youngsters to handle. working labs tend to be easier to train. however,I would make the proviso that you must keep them fully occupied mentally and physically or you'll have a sad and naughty pooch on your hands.
HTH
JAne

Hi guys
I have to agree with Jane about the working labs. I have two and primarily they are pet dogs. I have to say that speaking purely from a working stock point of view,IMHO there does seem to be a difference between the blacks and yellows as opposed to the liver (chocolate). There doesn't seem to be that many livers that do gundog work as opposed to the other two colours, so maybe there aren't enough to get a proper viewpoint but they do seem to be a bit more wilfull and 'contrary'. I'm not saying that this is a really bad thing, but its something to be aware of. As livers as getting more and more popular in the 'pet' market, you need to be especially carefull to check that mum and dad have all the necessary health checks.
All lab youngsters can (and probably will be)naughty, but a big 'show' type lab makes a very big puppy, especially the dogs, and I am seeing more and more people having real handling problems at my training school.
All labs, but especially working labs, need mental as well as physical activity or they will 'find' something to do. My adult bitch (5 1/2) has competed at working trials, does tracking and advanced nosework and is also a PAT therapy dog. My 6 1/2 month pup will probably do the same sort of thing.
The devil WILL make work for idle paws!:)
Let us know how you get on.
Ali :)

I have choc's and black's and I have to say my choc's are Bimbos' too. I think that there does tend to be a difference in temperament of choc's and Petplan would agree but of course they are all individuals but in my own experience I have found blacks and yellows to be steadier and this is noticeable right from the very beginning. I always try to 'fit the puppy to the person' and my 'first timers' tend to have a black puppy. I have no first hand experience of working Labs but when I have been at 'doggy gatherings' they have put my show types to shame!! Sat proudly next to their owners and often without a lead, whilst mine are doing backflips and cartwheels in an effort to say hello to anyone that may just possibly have something nice to eat.
I have a friend with a choc trained to the gun, so they can do it but I guess that you have to find the steady one.
Unfortunately Labs and especially choc's are becoming increasingly popular with puppy farms. There are many examples of both types at Champdogs. I would advise that she decides what type she would like and also which lines she prefers, because they do vary and speak to breeders now as you realy do need to book well in advance.
Good luck. Debbie. :)

Hi there

Can I ask why she has chosen labs first of all as if she knows nothing about the breed is it just because she likes the look of them ?

If so she needs to look at why she wants a dog and what she is expecting of what life with the dog will be like !

I have both types working and show and they all have completely different personalities and have all been totally different to train ! :)

One thing she must be prepared for is chewing and that can last for upto two years. You can keep them occupied but even so they can be destructive !!

They are however the most wonderful and loving dogs I have ever had the pleasure to own but I can say it has never been easy and you need to be prepared for a lot of commitment for upto fifteen years but it will never be a dull moment !!!

All mine are chocolate and have varied in intelligence and ease to train so I personally think that colour is not the issue ! I have known Black andd yellows that have been much harder work than my crew have ever been ! :)

Lucy

Hi
I agree. I have a choc lab bitch, Luna. She is a darling, and really easy to teach new commands. When i lived with my mother, we had a black lab, and she was really easy to. I would also say, that is has nothing to do with the colour.

Of course, Luna has that age, where she has "a problem" listening to me. She is 7 ½ months old. But its not that bad.

Jeanette

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hi i have a black labrador, and he is wonderfull, he is working, but loves nothing more than a cuddle and a kiss.

i like all colours but i find that choclates tend to be a bit more chunky than the others might be just me, hopefull come febuary i will have a lovely puppy, two labrasdors, must be mad lol

Hi
Don't you think is has to do, with how much food they are getting.
Luna is a slim little lady, okay she isn't that old yet.
I have seen a lot black, yellow and chocolate labs, and they all vary in sizes.
Jeanette

If you think you are mad getting two then I need commiting with four !! :D

If you want to see all types of Lab in chocolate then have a look at the web site in my profile and go into the messages on the site and look at Doggie converstaion and Cyber PEt show and you will be able to see a recent picture of all my four and they are all completely different !!

Lucy

your mad lol

I did try to offer some alternative breeds for her to think about:Border terrier,cavalier kc spaniel,cairn terrier and min.schnauzer, but she insists she will be able to cope with a lab. i even told her they like to knock their water dishes over and lie in the water but she still insisted she'd cope!

as for knowing nothing about the breed-thats what she is wanting the research for. rather than buying first and asking later resulting in problems as some irrisponsible owners do! plus most people get intrested in there choosen breed by looks first!

It is good that she is researching before and glad she is looking at all the pitfalls and the benefits before buying !!

Wish more people would do it ! It would save a lot of heart ache and thousands of rescue dogs waiting for homes :)

If she wants to talk further the go to the website on my profile and PM or mail me and I will gladly talk further with her if it will help !

Lucy
xx