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British vs American Labs
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:11 pm
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?
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 on 3/26/15 at 5:13 pm to HerbTyler985
I hear the British ones have different accents when they bark
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:16 pm to HerbTyler985
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.
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 on 3/26/15 at 5:26 pm to bluemoons
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.
I live on the Tchefuncte, so this dog will be in or near the water a lot.
Posted on 3/26/15 at 5:37 pm to HerbTyler985
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 on 3/26/15 at 5:49 pm to HerbTyler985
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.
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 on 3/26/15 at 6:05 pm to Lunchbox48
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
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 on 3/26/15 at 6:18 pm to oleyeller
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.
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 on 3/26/15 at 6:37 pm to Leftcenterfan
Sorry to hear that. I want a british really bad and plan to get one in the coming years
Posted on 3/26/15 at 7:36 pm to HerbTyler985
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 on 3/26/15 at 7:47 pm to BLM
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.
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 on 3/26/15 at 7:51 pm to BLM
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 on 3/26/15 at 7:58 pm to HerbTyler985
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 on 3/26/15 at 7:59 pm to hogfly
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 on 3/26/15 at 8:01 pm to MercerBears
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 on 3/26/15 at 9:06 pm to HerbTyler985
English = short and fat
Murican = taller and skinnier
I like American
Murican = taller and skinnier
I like American
Posted on 3/26/15 at 9:33 pm to HerbTyler985
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 on 3/26/15 at 9:39 pm to fisherbm1112
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 on 3/26/15 at 9:52 pm to lsuson
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 on 3/26/15 at 10:20 pm to MercerBears
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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