My brother has two English Lab puppies, and I want to know more about them from owners. Does anyone want to comment on their experiences?
Am just dashing out but will come back and answer properly later. Suffice it to say, I have a rescue Lab, adopted him when he was 12 months, he's now 19 months. Labs = ADORABLE BUT EXHAUSTING
Hiya There is not really such a thing as an "English" Lab. There are, however, three distinct lines in Labradors; working (which you guys in America tend to call 'field' types), show (generally called 'bench' types over there) and pet bred...which is everything else inbetween & the most common. Because you are in the USA, unless your brother has imported two Lab puppies direct from England or has a puppy from two English bred imports, they are not technically 'English' Labradors. I think you probably mean the chunkier, stockier show/bench type Labrador. How old are the puppies? are they dogs or bitches? to be honest, it was probably a bit of a mistake to take home two puppies. Raising one puppy at a time can be exhausting enough and it is hard to give proper individual time to each dog. But, what is done is done. I strongly recommend that the two puppies have LOTS of time apart so that they do not become overly attached -- this means separate walks, training sessions, playtime with you. Sign them up to puppy obedience and socialization classes but take them to SEPARATE classes -- the pups need to learn to cope without each other. Also ensure that they are comfortable without each other in the house.
Labradors - easy dogs all you need to know is: 1 They are the ultimate eating machines 2 The dirtier and wetter something is the better they like it 3 Very nice natured
OK, back now LABRADORK has given you great information. Just in case you're still wanting very general advice about young Labs, hopefully this may help a bit: Labs are lovely As pups though they can bite and nip quite a bit, so be careful if young children are also in your brother's home with them. He will need to teach them 'bite inhibition'. They will also eat anything they can get their teeth on - and i do mean literally anything! Labs are very energetic dogs as a rule but as with most pups, too much exercise is not good. Presumably your brother has researched the breed re all of these aspects...? Generally speaking, Labs tend to be friendly, good natured dogs. But they are VERY strong, muscular dogs, even the more 'delicate', field/working types. So again, care needs to be taken around young children. Finally: Labs can put on weight really easily so warn your brother not to give in to the dogs' constant demands for food!!!
Can only echo what's been said already however: Someone forgot to tell Nyle he's supposed to love anything wet and dirty. He was very brave today, he got his paws wet lol. Now food, thats a different matter altogether. Storm, unlike Nyle, doesn't mind wet and dirty, but can be rather picky with what he wants to eat. Maybe if I splice them, I'll end up with a 'normal' labrador lol.
My take on the 'English' Labrador, is that it's referring to the field trial bred type from the UK, which is lighter framed, and people who compete in the US tend to import them to work/compete with, as some of the US lines are too heavy to do so effectively. I could be completely and utterly wrong, but that's how I've read it before from those in the US referring to English Labs.
I was on a couple of predominately US based Labrador forums for years and the mistakenly called 'English' type of Labrador was always associated with show types, not working. But you are right that there are quite a few American kennels specializing in 'British' working types -- imported from our field trial bred Labs over here. This link explains it quite well: http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/english-american.html
Thanks, I know the English show type is generally speaking lighter framed as well, but have known a number of people from the US specifically import dogs from the UK to work, because of the ability and conformation of our dogs. Field trialling seems to be a very different kettle of fish out there, with incredible precision over distance required, rather than a mix of a dog that can also think for itself. Again, just from what I've read and chatted about with folks from the US re trialling.
When I have been in the States at Labrador events - the term English Labrador has been used to refer to a show type Lab
