re: What's the scoops on "white labs"?

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She is hefty. Do dogs get diabetes?

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Yes they do, and it can cost as much (or more) to treat it as it does with humans.

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Healthy labs don’t get 105 lb

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Some do, or at least one I had did (the brindle/black dog I mentioned in the "lab with white spot" thread.)

It probably has a lineage that comes down from show breeding stock. That's not a knock on the dog, but only a possible explanation.

Bench dogs, often get huge if the breeding is not kept in check. It's very unhealthy for the dog because the dog is a victim of it's own breed, and a labrador is not supposed to be 153 pounds.

I'd imagine that a 153 pound lab is one big ol cute cuddly teddy bear som bitch though!

To the OP, there's a kennel in N. MS that is one of the few that I'd consider one from if I were serious about hunting with it. I've personally seen 1 good one and 1 absolute doofus (in the field) come out of that kennel. The decent hunting one had a heat stroke while training on what was a fairly cool, spring day. Even though the pup was trained and exercised pretty regularly and was fed well, he was still a huge dog, and that size was his undoing. (We won't even discuss what it was like when he hauled off over the gunwale of a flat bottom.)

If working the pup is your goal (obviously petting the good boy is everybody's goal) then you gotta be real careful with the "specialty" kennels. Inbreeding is rampant (even more so than in other kennels), and it's not a dominant trait for the breed to have on a regular basis.

And hiding the damned things is a nightmare. They were beautiful though.

I have a white lab out of N miss - beautiful he’s 125+pounds at 12 years old .. he’s extremely intelligent and very laid back ...

And yes technically he’s a yellow

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Do dogs get diabetes?

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Yep. They sure do. And then they get cataracts. And you have to have those removed. It ain't cheap.

The british labs have some of the most gorgeous block heads and are usually a little more docile compared to American labs. It is really genetics not the fault of the owner. American labs have been bred to be as fast and hardcore because of trials. British labs are more from a true hunting stock. I have a black american that turns the light switch on but the rest of the time is as easy as they come. I honestly think he has some British in him because of his head.

Nice looking dog!

To the OP: As I remember, the AKC standard (for weight) is 65-80 lbs for dogs and 55-70 lbs for bitches. Supposed to be shown in working weight, which we all know isn’t adhered to in show rings.

If you’re looking for a simple pet, get whatever you want.

If you’re looking for a field dog, then you best go with field proven lines of whatever color you prefer.

Disclaimer: I’m a field lab person.

I saw a HRCH work once at a trial and fell in love with her. I've always wanted one.

There are some great fox red kennels throwing litters with great bloodlines and superior breeding. You can often- but not always- tell the standards that they adhere to by the # of non-fox red pups they have had for sale. Unfortunately, because it's a "specialty," the vermin that are puppy mills are always lurking with litters for sale. Their dams are nothing less than cattle for them (except dog chit smells way worse than a cow's).

Like any other pup, if you're serious about working them in the field- (and that is the major factor here: serious about field work) then look at the pedigree, look at the sire and dam for their demeanor and build (this is the best method to determine what your getting, and IME, especially with what you see in the dam), ask to see them work (if they can't and I'm serious about it, that's a big strike), ask for references on people who work their pups, look for reviews and don't be afraid to set the cute, cuddly little thing down and drive hours back home empty handed.

I love a black male labrador like the one above about as much as any other breed type, save a goofy male German Shorthair with good hunting stock and pure drive to hunt anything that I say is okay to hunt, but my next field dog will probably be a thoroughbred fox red. And I'll pay dearly for it!

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Healthy labs don’t get 105 lb

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You could not be more wrong. My chocolate brit is 110 and in fantastic health.

Beautiful pup right there!