Yellow Labrador

[Sunshine + Jasmine]

Hello All,

Our neighbours who recently lost their black lab Sam, are thinking about getting another dog in the future.

Naturally, I offered to help them with their research - translate this as meaning, I am asking all of you for your expertise!!!

So they are contemplating yellow labradors - either a pup or rescue, must be from show lines - not working, as the dog will be a pet.

Do you know of any breeders or rescues in the Thames Valley / South East?

Any things to look out for with labs?

Sam was adopted by them when my neighbours parents died, so they got him in his twilight years. So they didnt do the traditional research and stuff but will do now.

Thanks in advance.

[Gizmo Popsy Mummy]

maybe try champdogs? they have A LOT of breeders on there

[Ryan]

My first advice would absolutely to get a working bred one, not a show bred one.

I own a working bred yellow Lab and she's a pet. And I would recommend working over show 100 times out of 100 with this particular breed.

Just my opinion but based on experience.

[Bump]

My first advice would absolutely to get a working bred one, not a show bred one.

I own a working bred yellow Lab and she's a pet. And I would recommend working over show 100 times out of 100 with this particular breed.

Just my opinion but based on experience.

In what way do you think working lines are better, Ryan? Are there some breeding lines which are better than others? Am I right in thinking that there can be huge size differences in some lines?

[Ryan]

I believe the working dogs are better in every way. They are bred with functionality in mind ahead of form. They are bred to have temperaments designed to be compatible with training and mostly, the working bred ones are far, far easier to train.

The best example of this is the Chocolate Lab. As most people are aware, there are still no field trial champion or 100% working bred Chocolate Labradors, the chocolates tend to go back to show lines within - usually - about 3 to 4 generations. Anyone who has ever worked with all kinds of Labs will tell you, that whilst Chocolates are great dogs, really friendly and kindly natured (normally) they don't compare to the working bred yellows and blacks. A quick example. If I'd be working with a Chocolate, they would tend to learn things at a rate of about 4 to 5 times slower than the working bred Labs. Also, this doesn't neccesarily mean they are less energetic or boisterous, in fact the ones I worked with were equally boisterous and energetic - so people often seem to think show bred means calmer, this is not my experience at all. The working ones are more adaptable. They can live a pet lifestyle and are more receptive to training.

[Ryan]

Incidentally, that is not an attack on show dogs. My view is, those breed types bred for companionship or showing, should could from relevant show stock. Working breed types should come from working stock. I've always believed this and have never seen or heard anything to dissuade me from that view.

[Sunshine + Jasmine]

Thank you for that.

I shall recommend working - will a breeder sell a working line to a pet home?

Is it true choccies are a bit daft?

[Bump]

I believe the working dogs are better in every way. They are bred with functionality in mind ahead of form. They are bred to have temperaments designed to be compatible with training and mostly, the working bred ones are far, far easier to train.

The best example of this is the Chocolate Lab. As most people are aware, there are still no field trial champion or 100% working bred Chocolate Labradors, the chocolates tend to go back to show lines within - usually - about 3 to 4 generations. Anyone who has ever worked with all kinds of Labs will tell you, that whilst Chocolates are great dogs, really friendly and kindly natured (normally) they don't compare to the working bred yellows and blacks. A quick example. If I'd be working with a Chocolate, they would tend to learn things at a rate of about 4 to 5 times slower than the working bred Labs. Also, this doesn't neccesarily mean they are less energetic or boisterous, in fact the ones I worked with were equally boisterous and energetic - so people often seem to think show bred means calmer, this is not my experience at all. The working ones are more adaptable. They can live a pet lifestyle and are more receptive to training.

Thanks, Ryan. Very interesting. :)

[Ryan]

I shall recommend working - will a breeder sell a working line to a pet home?

Is it true choccies are a bit daft?Good questions.

I think if someone wants a lab, they should be prepared to give it a lifestyle where it can act out its desire to do what labs do. Now, that doesn't mean you have to take it shooting but lots of retrieving, basic training, teaching the dog new things - all of that is fulfilling to a labrador.

Mine is a pet, now. Although she has been trained for field work and if I wanted to, I could take her to perform field work.

So I think if someone decides they want a lab, the key is to be prepared and happy to do the training - even if it's just plenty of work with a tennis ball and basic obedience. Half the fun in owning a gundog breed is to allow them to act out their desire to work. Which doesn't mean they have to actually go on a shoot but it should mean a suitable alternative is devised.

Personally I like chocolate labs, I think they are very funny dogs with big personalities and highly sociable. But given the choice, I'd always go for a working-bred black or yellow.

I've always seen it like this. If someone wants a Labrador, have a Labrador. Not a modified or watered down version of a Labrador.

[Kerriebaby]

I have a working lab here for boarding atm...the only lab that we have had so far that has been an intact male.

He is the daftest, soppiest dog I have ever met...I would have him in a heart beat

[Labsky]

I have a yellow Lab. Show bred. He is absolutely adorable and there is no malice in him at all. I do however think there is a little gap in his brain where lots of pieces of information just fall through :biggrin: He just seems to forget things all the time and he gets quite confused at times too. It could be more noticeable because my other dog shows such a lot of independence and intelligence and he just .....well......doesn't :)

Just one thing I always try to tell potential Labrador puppy owners is not to think of them as an easy option as some people do. The first two years is hard work as with any pup and just because it is a Labrador does not mean it is any easier as some people seem to think, especially people who have only had experience of older Labs. Just might be worth pointing out to your neighbours as their Sam was a mature Lab when they got him. Out of my Lab and my Husky, both of which I had as puppies, the Lab was much harder work.

[Sunshine + Jasmine]

All good advice thanks.

So where is best to start looking?

KC breed clubs??

I shall pass them all the info on here.

[smokeybear]

Ok, although I personally like dogs to fulfil a function, I have seen at first hand the concerns caused by dogs in the wrong environment. A labrador bred to work can become extremely destructive if he is not given a job to do, of any description. So some thought should be given to the available physical and mental exercise required for a dog that has been bred to be stimulated and has the drives which, if not capped and directed correctly, can then be expressed inappropriately.As over 45k labs are registered in the UK every year the rescue arms are full to bursting. It is absolutely essential that the sire and dam are hip and elbow scored and eye tested (via the optigen scheme) to minimise health issues.

Yellow, black or chocolate should be neither here nor there/


COTSWOLD & WYVERN LABRADOR CLUB. Sec. Mr K Gawthorpe - 01932 874539
EAST ANGLIAN LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://www.eastanglianlabradorretrieverclub.co.uk/). Sec. Mrs J Cole. Tel No: 01354 680375
KENT, SURREY & SUSSEX LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://www.kentsurreyandsussexlabradorretrieverclub.co.uk/). Sec. Mrs K Walsh. Tel No: 01483 797653
LABRADOR CLUB OF SCOTLAND (http://www.lab.scot.btinternet.co.uk/). Sec. Miss Farquarson. Tel No: 01382 459099
LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://www.thelabradorretrieverclub.com/). Sec. Mr A Ellis. Tel No: 01766 522146
LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec. Mrs Hughes. Tel No: 028926 38603
LABRADOR RETRIEVER OF WALES (http://www.labclubofwales.co.uk/). Sec. Mrs M Barker (secretary@labclubofwales.co.uk). Tel No: 01443 842585
MIDLAND COUNTIES LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://www.midlandcountieslabradorretrieverclub.co.uk/). Sec. Mrs J Lewis. Tel No: 01484 680123
NORTH WEST LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/nwlrc/index.html). Sec. Mrs Maureen D’Arcy. Tel No: Not available, please contact the Kennel Club.
NORTHUMBERLAND & DURHAM LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB. Sec. Mr P A Smith. Tel No: 01642 292965
THREE RIDINGS LABRADOR CLUB. Sec. Mrs P Gill. Tel No: 01943 467926
WEST OF ENGLAND LABRADOR RETRIEVER CLUB (http://www.welrc.org.uk/). Sec. Mr G Cox. Tel No: 01566 785121
YELLOW LABRADOR CLUB (http://www.yellowlabclub.co.uk/). Sec. Mrs Wiles. Tel No: 01895 823227

[Lillypup]

Hi S&J, there are about 10 yellow labs and 2 or 3 Goldies on the many tears rescue site, where I got Dolly, at the moment, ranging from young to old, not sure if any of them would be ok for your neighbours, most are ex-breeding. Good luck and you are lovely to take so much time and effort to help them :-)

[Ryan]

A labrador bred to work can become extremely destructive if he is not given a job to do, of any description.

So can a Labrador not bred to work. No difference.

We're talking about an unstimulated dog, in which case there's only one sensible option - don't get a Labrador. Not, get a Labrador but make sure it's a Labrador that doesn't require stimulation.

I will never agree that the answer to wanting to own a particular breed is to get a watered down version of that breed. I believe that is at the heart of many of the health and identity problems affecting dogs today.

I know we've done this debate before so it's not worth going over old ground, but as I say - if the aim is to have a pet dog which won't require much stimulation, consider a companion breed. That would always be my advice.

[tarasmum]

There are a few pups for sale here.
www.thegundogclub.co.uk (http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk)

[Sunshine + Jasmine]

Thanks again all!