Labrador colours, a guess anyone? Discussions

Hmm...I said that Showing was not a purpose....nothing about the dogs enjoyment. I do not see Agility/obedience/HtM as a purpose either - the dogs may enjoy it - but it does not seem to click with them in the same way that working them does.

I will have a go at anything with my guys to see what suits them best.....my HPRx is gun shy so not really an option for her - but she likes pointing and retrieving
I did consider IPO with my GSD x, but a) could not find anyone locally who was doing it and b) became a tad worried when some people warned me about insurance with dogs taught bite work.
I have always done agility and obedience (although find the latter very boring) and played at Flyball (BFA), we have also (shock horror) done some showing - although again - we both found it very tedious. We now (fairly) regularly compete at HtM and Siren has taken to herding - which means 100 mile round trip every Sunday morning for her to chase some sheep!
God - the things we do for our dogs!

Great dogs/breeder...my boys sire (of their 'fat show breds that can't do a days work' but happens to be a Field Trial Winner!) is from this kennel.

Field Trials are based on a real shoot (or a days work) on live game, you compete against other retriever types (Spaniels and HPR's have seperate field trials) and the standard is VERY high.

Am I allowed to ask who?

Monarch.

Nice another very interesting pedigree ;-)

Do I?

It's nice you work your dog, the question is does it think it can mind read like it's human appears to?

I have to say....after my experiences with her on Sunday.....she is a darn site quicker at mind reading than I am.

No offence, but judging from your efforts that wouldn't be difficult!

Yes he's lovely. I'm a big fan of Brigburn, they really seem to have the breeds best interests at heart, shame they don't breed yellows!

And finally this chap is a bit scrummy too!
Charway Water Reed At Brigburn

- Just going by your responses.

Totally agree All of mine would be in the car before me on a show weekend lol

yes they are, but a question for the lab peopele, i know in the shooting times the other week there was a piece on springers, that said a lot of the triallists were now purely breeding for just that there were dogs that could win trials who were flashy, quick and had a great action, but they lacked the stamina for a full days work another split maybe??

LOL...you learn something new everyday! , i thought that dogs proven in work and show got the title CH....didn't realise that was only for a basic qualification in the field.
Thanks for explaining.

Take about negativity, your given the proof , then you question the quality of the proof

Interesting if you are talking about Labs - because if is that broad stocky build that gives them the stamina above speed - if that is being lost, then it most certainly re-enforces the argument that dogs should be bred to the breed standard to be capable of doing the job they were bred for

While there isn't a formalised 'split' in the breed - there is a clear distinction between the two types (and then a group in the middle who look like Labs whilst being able to hold their own in the both ring and field) - but what you describe could the result of this continued divergence?

It always baffles me , that some people cant see the obvious.

The Labrador was bred to work, those who worked them set down a standard for them to work proficiently at the job they expected them to do.

What would be the point in wanting a dog to do A, B, C, and for that dog to do A, B, C , you need 1,2,3, in the conformation/ mentality of said breed for it to work as you need it too.

IF the standard is wrong, then how on earth have these dogs managed to do what they were bred for for all these yrs.

The Split, is NOT because the show Lab cant do the Job and the working one can, it is down to the fact that some people DONT CARE , what their working dogs look like.

And thats what happens when you disregard breed standard... you get something that does nto resemble the breed its supposed to be!!


Going back to the friend who breeds and works her Labs,

I remember a long time ago, she brought a couple of young pups to a Pony Club rally, absolutely stunning dogs..

I said to her," your pups a lovely" but not like most Labs you See around, she told me in no uncertain terms.....

My dear! thats because these are "breed standard"!!

That's because a lot of people wrongly think the breed standard was set by the show people

I like your friend

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I don't read the shooting times, but I do read the dogs papers, and recently one of the game fares was covered in it - there was a FT CH Lab pictured - he took my breath away - he had great substance and he has the ultimate title - and I've no doubt could pass muster in the showring too - OK - maybe not a SH CH - but would definitely hold his own - proving it can be, and is, done.

Don't know enough about labs to comment, just the springers, i know i have a rescue that was bred for trialling (didn't make it) and her stamina does seem to be less than the others.

The labs i do know are all the ones that pick up on the shoot we work our dogs on, and they are not as stocky as some of the ones shown, but are certainly capable of doing a days work.

I just wondered if any of you that were in to labs had heard the same thing, it seems certainly in the springers that there is this obsession with breeding to win a competetion and perhaps put £'ss on any offspring

I'm just glad that their hip scores are low, must admit I am still a bit concered though, as all over dogs the bigger the dogs (breed) the more pressure on their joints, but if the modes low then thats good.

IMO, yes.

Will be in trouble, but agree.

It is, hopefully with success more people will realise what potential they and their dog has.