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British vs American Labs

Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:11 pm
Posted by HerbTyler985
Boone, NC
Member since May 2011
327 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:11 pm
I searched and didn't find much information so I apologize if this has been discussed before.

I'm in the market for a yellow lab puppy and I recently found someone who has some British lab pups. The labs I've had before have all been American (at least I think they were). I don't have any problem with a British lab but I have read that there are some differences.

I read that British labs are a little more solid while American labs are a little more slender. I also read that American labs are a little more energetic or high strung. Not sure how true that is, but I'm curious if anyone has had experiences with both and can shed some light on the subject?
Posted by upgrayedd
Lifting at Tobin's house
Member since Mar 2013
134840 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:13 pm to
I hear the British ones have different accents when they bark
Posted by bluemoons
the marsh
Member since Oct 2012
5503 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:16 pm to
Generalizing dog traits is never a good idea.

For features, yes. British labs are stockier and boxier. American labs are typically more slender. I prefer the American lab myself, but everyone is different. American labs are bred for ability whereas a lot of British labs are bred to conform to the breed standard.
Posted by HerbTyler985
Boone, NC
Member since May 2011
327 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:26 pm to
Thanks for the reply. I assume they are just like American labs as far as temperament goes. My only concern is if the British labs take to the water like American labs do. I know each dog can be unique, but just curious if they have the same reputation as the Americans when it comes to getting in the water.

I live on the Tchefuncte, so this dog will be in or near the water a lot.
Posted by The Last Coco
On the water
Member since Mar 2009
6840 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:37 pm to
quote:

I assume they are just like American labs as far as temperament goes.

As a breed, they are more laid back then american labs due to their breeding (sporting for AL, show/breed standard for BL). They should take to water fine. Some lines are not particularly driven when it comes to hunting, but I doubt that'll affect the love of water.
Posted by Lunchbox48
Member since Feb 2009
924 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:49 pm to
Not the best to completely categorize them but generally is goes:

English v. American
&
Show v. Field

English are known for mild temperament. Americans were bred for higher energy or 'drive'

The look of them is more the show v field category. Show fit the breed standard which is stockier and fields are slender and more agile.

For example I have an English/field from Wildrose. She's 60lbs, very calm, and slender, as are all the actual imports at Wildrose and Duckhill.

My wife has an English/Show from a breeder in SC and she's very calm and stocky/fat as hell.

Whether or not they like water is completely up to personality of dog. Labs are genetically disposed to be active swimmers so it's always a safe bet that they will.
Posted by oleyeller
Vols, Bitch
Member since Oct 2012
32015 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 6:05 pm to
i have a british and american yellow

brittish is lazy as f.. just a big baby that lays around and wants to be loved on
american is crazy as f.. never sits down, always wide open and bringing her duck for me to throw.. all she wants to do is retreive and play
Posted by Leftcenterfan
Member since May 2013
51 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 6:18 pm to
My last hunting lab was a black British lab. He was an incredible hunting dog. I did a lot of research before deciding on one and this is what I gathered. The British lab was originally a favored hunting dog for duck hunters that use pirogues. They are considerably shorter with a lower center of graviTy and less likely to flip the boat. The American lab was breed to be stronger with a longer mouth in order preform better in goose hunts.

I lost that dog when he turned 13 in 2009. It felt like I lost my little brother. There is nothing like the bond of a hunter and his bird dog.
Posted by Redfish2010
Member since Jul 2007
15168 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 6:37 pm to
Sorry to hear that. I want a british really bad and plan to get one in the coming years
Posted by BLM
ATL
Member since Oct 2011
746 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:36 pm to
Best advice I ever got on selecting a lab...make sure you match him/her to your personality. Laid back people can't handle a hard charging dog and a wired person can't stand a slow/lazy dog. I had a hard charger back when and loved him but I had a buddy whose chocolate female would walk back to the blind after every retrieve. Used to annoy the hell out of me.
Posted by JasonL79
Member since Jan 2010
6397 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:47 pm to
I have an English/show dog currently and use him for hunting. He's just as good as the American labs I've had. Loves the water too.

I don't really buy into the stereotypes of English vs American labs. I've had 4 american labs and 1 english and they are alike just with different personalities. The English is less laid back at home than my last american but more laid back in the duck blind.
Posted by hogfly
Fayetteville, AR
Member since May 2014
4631 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:51 pm to
It's been covered already, but British are generally stockier (with the classic Labrador block head ) and more mellow. American can be much rangier and Laniy and more driven. Think field trial vs. show. Both are going to like water and be trainable for hunting. Do you want a hard core working dog that never quits but lives to work and needs it daily or do you want a family pet that will also put in work? All that being said: either "breed" can be driven, good or bad pets, and good or bad field dogs.
This post was edited on 3/26/15 at 7:54 pm
Posted by MercerBears
Grenada
Member since Jan 2015
685 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:58 pm to
british lab like fat tatertot on toot picks usa labs run circle round british lab then take em for fish and chips after hunt test and never call em again
Posted by Britlab
Nashville
Member since Jan 2014
340 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:59 pm to
Do your research. You will find one fits your style better. My two Brit labs have been the best in the blind and home than any dogs I've owned. Breeder makes a huge difference.
Posted by JasonL79
Member since Jan 2010
6397 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 8:01 pm to
quote:

british lab like fat tatertot on toot picks usa labs run circle round british lab then take em for fish and chips after hunt test and never call em again


WTH is this?

Posted by Hammertime
Will trade dowsing rod for titties
Member since Jan 2012
43030 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 9:06 pm to
English = short and fat
Murican = taller and skinnier

I like American
Posted by fisherbm1112
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2010
6566 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 9:33 pm to
British is going to be a whole lot calmer and usually will have more of a block head. I would rather British myself and the dog I have is more of a hybrid of the two. He is fairly calm and has never chewed what he was not supposed to. If you are going to hardcore hunt the dog then get an american.
Posted by lsuson
Metairie
Member since Oct 2013
12121 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 9:39 pm to
My buddies British is a beast in the field. He did multiple blind retrieves his first hunt at 9 months. He's 6 now and has passed all his field trials.
Posted by fisherbm1112
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2010
6566 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 9:52 pm to
quote:

My buddies British is a beast in the field. He did multiple blind retrieves his first hunt at 9 months. He's 6 now and has passed all his field trials.




Yea I didn't feel like typing a book or getting into an argument. I didn't hunt my dog because of some problems with broken legs when he was a puppy but a lot of my buddies have americans and they are way to high strung for my liking. I like the way British dogs hunt and act better. Americans are just like real americans high strung vocal jackasses who destroy just about everything they touch.



That being said I do like hybrids though. Just not true Americans.
This post was edited on 3/26/15 at 9:55 pm
Posted by gorillacoco
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2009
5318 posts
Posted on 3/26/15 at 10:20 pm to
quote:

british lab like fat tatertot on toot picks usa labs run circle round british lab then take em for fish and chips after hunt test and never call em again


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