We at Rosewood Retrievers do specialize in the breeding of the American Labradors. What’s the difference? Let me try to explain.
The American Labradors, also known as ‘Field’ or ‘Hunting’ Labradors, originated in United States and are used more for hunting or field work. Also, they are frequently used in Field Trials or Hunt Test competitions. American Labradors can also be seen in the show ring (or dog shows), but usually don’t do well.
American Labrador
Physical Differences
The American Labrador is more energetic than the English Labrador. They have a longer nose, longer legs, a thinner body and the tail sometimes curls upward and are taller. Probably due to interbreeding, they also come with their own unique set of health problems, including Hip, Eye, Elbow Dysplasia and EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse). EIC is when the dog will just collapse in the field usually after a strenuous exercise. In extreme cases some dogs can even collapse by merely anticipaing a strenuous workout. CNM ( Canine Neuromuscaluar Myopothy) which is similar to Muscular Dystrophy in humans. The EIC and CNM do appear more frequently in the American Labradors over the English Labradors.
English Labrador
The English Labrador originated in England and are the Show or Bench Labradors. They are usually the Labradors that are seen in the show ring, although they also can perform in the Field Trials or Hunt Tests and also can be used for hunting. They have shorter noses, blockier heads, thicker bodies, they have a thick otter tail and are shorter and heavier. They also have health problems including the Hip, Eye and Elbow dysplasia. But they are now testing them also for the EIC and the CNM.
Crossing the American Labrador or Field Lab to the English Labrador or bench Lab, create a new moderate show dog or field dog.
Personally I wish AKC would recognize both the American Labrador and English Labrador as two different types of Labradors, like the English Cocker and the American Cocker.
This article is solely the opinion of Rosewood Retrievers, Inc.
www.rosewoodretrievers.com
I am tired of people comparing my English type lab to the American one and telling me that my dog is fat! He is the same size as any healthy English lab version I see online and in shows….Ahhh, the ignorance! Thank’s for trying to spread the education.
Hi Michelle,
NO the English Labradors are not fat, and they are the same size as the American Labrador they are just built different. And they are beautiful, don’t let peoples ignorance get you down.
i have a labrador puppy he is currently 4 months old, i wish i knew that there were both an english and american breed, i have no clue as to witch he is yet only time will tell but he looks quite long legged so maybe american im thinking, but we love him all the same!
My Am lab female is tall, strong and a wonderful companion. I chose Am Lab over the Eng lab because I have a preference for field type dogs. My Eng Springer Spaniel is field type rather than ench as well. I find field type dogs to be more energetic and just as companionable as their bench cousins. Also I believe they retain their playfulness well into adult years.
We also love the American Lab, I breed them. I think they are beautiful, sleek like a thoroughbred race horse of the breed, so to say. I’m glad to hear you also love them.
I know everyone has personal preferences and mine seem to ring true. My father was an avid sport hunter and bred retrievers both labs and golden back in the 1950_60s. His dogs performed in the field – upland and water. Our golden lived to 19 yo and our labs – one yellow and one black – were long lived as well and they all continued to hunt throughout their lifetimes. While I don’t hunt, I just have an affinity to the gaminess of these dogs. I owned the Springer first and when her midwife yellow tabby died, I went looking for a companion to the Springer and decided to look for a lab. I found this beautiful black girl through lab rescue. She was in Indiana several states away at a kill shelter. Although a stray, she was micro chipped. I`ve often wondered what happened to the owner`s situation that they did not come looking for her. She`s obviously beautifully bred, very smart, trained for hunt and eager to please. So instead of one velcro dog, I`m the proud owner of two velco dogs who never leave my side…I`m blessed.
People often ask why my (Field) Lab is so “skinny”. I explain the difference between the two types as most of the Labs around her are the English type… I wanted a high energy dog since I’m a jogger and also like to take long walks and hikes. The more athletic Field Lab fits in with my lifestyle and fortunately, I found a breeder who screened the parents for hip and elbow problems; I am inclined to believe the stockier English Lab is more prone to joint problems because they tend to put on weight moreso than the Field Lab.
It’s just now that i’m led to know that my dog is an American Lab. No wonder why she is long legged, tall and playful. She is actually the one i like over the english one, and i did get her not knowing she’s the american type.i appreciate her better now. thanks for the info.
My husband and I have 3 English type labs, 2 being rescues and agree their should be a distinction. However, having had both l feel either type can make a great family member!
I have a question. I have an English lab who is short and very slender (weighs 53 pounds). The vet says she is a good weight. Is she a cross between the two? She has all the features of an English lab except for the weight.
I love my English Lab girl. We also had an American Lab that we had to put down last summer. Saddest day of my life. He was 13 y/o. We got Stella from a rescue. She was used for breeding and when they were done with her, they dumped her at a high kill shelter. I’m so glad this rescue stepped her in and saved her. She is one of the sweetest, loving girls I’ve ever seen. I’m sure she was an awesome mommy too. Having had both American and English, I am a little more partial to the English. We are a very laid back family though.
As Michelle does, I get comments on how my English Lab has to lose weight, so tired of trying to explain the difference to people I meet at the dog park or park. I jog and roller blade with the dog daily, keep him on a strict dog food only diet and the vet says he’s a healthy weight at 82 lbs. Lately to avoid the whole conversation I usually agree with the person and tell them I really need to stop feeding him beer, ice cream and table scraps….the look on their face is usually one of disgust which to me is priceless.
My Jane, 6yo Am Lab gets 1-1/2 dry kibble 2X per day with an occasional marrow bone. She comes in at a hefty weight of 75#…not overweight but as she matured she has taken on mass – 20# of which I think is hair that sheds 2X per year. She’s tall but has lost her “lank”. Her problem is not food…she’s a lazy gal. We play ball and play, but usually she’s laying down watching Emily my Eng Springer jet around chasing squirrels. When the occasion arises, Jane can fly off the deck to help with squirrel patrol!
I have both American Lab and English LOVE them both but to be honest in my opinion , the English lab is much prettier I do love the looks of my English lab.
We had a great Black Lab who had championship show bloodline on his father’s side and his mother was from an American field line. He was beautiful. Looked English, square bones, sloping shoulder / back , thick tail and beautiful show walk. He had a little more height on him which came from the American Side.. When looking on line this Spring I did not find British Cross with American Lab. Wondered why this was not done more often.It makes for a lovely combination. I’m sure there is a reason just don’t know what it is.
I think of it this way, English Labs are the beauty queens and American Labs are the Athlete’s. They both are wonderful.
Andrea, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, but to discount the beauty of the American Lab tells me you’re not that familiar with the breed. My Am Lab is a sleek black beauty, of substance yet not square and squaty…
Being called an Athlete is not rude, its a compliment. I have a 2 English labs and 1 field lab she is 13. She was so smart and athletic with a gorgeous muscle build. My English labs are pretty but with much less endurance than my field. No reason to personally attack me. I love both kinds.
Field lab? Once breeders produced stock for the show ring, phenotypes began to change defining “bench” standards that typically cost distortions of form to function with defining genotype following. The phenotypes and genotypes of American Labs and English Labs are quite different. Ultimately the AKC standard narrowly defines the English Labrador phenotype. It’s doubtful owners of American Labs would identify their animals with labels “bench” or “field” types. All Labs ought to be athletic – after all the AKC places Labs in the Sporting Group.
I dont have a dog but I would like one, which one is better out of the two(american and english)
I had an English Lab for about 10 years until cancer took her. She was always by my side, though she was also independent, and very protective – especially of children (even if she didn’t know the child). She was gorgeous and intelligent. It generally only took one or two repetitions for her to learn a new training command. I recently got an American Lab. She’s a rescue and about 3 yrs old. She is just as smart, and when strangers get to close, she presses herself against my legs and gives them low warning barks just like the English Lab. The only difference I’ve noticed that might make you choose one or the other is that the American Lab requires more daily activity to be happy then did my English Lab. The English was happy with an hour or two of good exercise or play a day – or, she was excellent at recognizing when I was sick or something and was happy to just stay at my side. The American Lab is edgy and anxious without 3 to 4 hours of vigorous play or excercise. When she gets what she needs, though, then she’s the typical lazy Lab at your feet. I will admonish you to be very very very choosy about your breeder. My English Lab came from Black Wing Labs in Cabot, Arkansas. We drove all the way from Tennessee for her, and she was worth that time, trouble and money and more. Bad breeders will breed out all the mannerisms, behaviors and instincts that make the Lab the kind of dog that people adore. Otherwise, you could be the proud owner of a dog that you resent because they make you miserable. We made that mistake with the very first Lab we every had – had to rehome her becuase she kept knocking my toddler down the steps. No protective instinct at all. She was impossible to housetrain, while my English and American Labs were a breeze. Also, invest in a beginner training class – and know that dogs are pack animals. They look for an alpha (especially large dogs) and if you won’t be the alpha, they will. It’s not about cruelty or hurting them. It’s about letting them know that you are the boss, no exceptions. I could go on and on with all the tips I learned from having my Labs, but I won’t. Good luck!!!! They are so worth it!
Your comment nailed the issue of indiscriminate/profit-oriented “breeders”. I own an American Lab 6 yo (Lab Rescue of Am) and an English Springer Spaniel 5 yo both females. Both are incredibly companionable – real “velcro” dogs. Both are intelligent and each has individual qualities of their respective breed – albeit the Lab is less energetic than the Springer. Both will chase a ball far longer than my arm can hold out and both know when its my “quiet” time. Springers like so many other breeds got an undeserved bad rap from breeders who didn’t understand bloodlines, recessives and weaknesses. The result is an epileptic condition that causes well-mannered Springers at around 5-6 yo to fly into rages, often causing injury to owners and others ending with an animal needlessly put down. Somehow folks have forgotten the BEST quality of any dog is their companionship – that takes real intelligence and willing tractability. I don’t mean to generalize the show ring, but “look” has compromised the very qualities that may our dogs memorable.
20 years ago we had the “american” lab. Those labs were ok but always high strung. The last 4 labs we have gotten have been from true english stock. The difference between the 2 is not even close. The english stock is far superior in intelligence and temperment. Training them for hunting and family households is not even close. Sorry to not agree with your site. It’s just ignorant breeders trying to make people believe they produce good labs.
WOW Dennis, sounds like you had a really bad experience and that has tainted your forward view. Glad you’re happy with your Eng Labs – to each his own. However, please note, my father was a field trials judge and owned two Am Labs… Enough said.
so glad I looked at this everytime I walk my dogs 1 white retriever and 1 american black lab people ask what the black one is now I know hes an american lab I can tell them. The amount of people who thought he was a lurcher.
I can’t say which one is better, I also own both I recently purchased an Enlish Lab for the show ring and I must admit she is calmer and a bit more down to earth. But she also loves to Hunt and has energy, but now as much as my American Labs, So only in my opinion if you are a Hiker, Runner or love to run Trials or Hunt tests I would get an American Lab they have more energy and can go longer periods of time in the field. BUT if you go on shorter hunting trips an English Lab would do fine.
I breed the American Lab and I am not an ignorant breeder trying to make people believe i produce good Labs. They are VERY intelligent and great temperment. I also own both the English and American and the only thing I agree with you is that they are different, but one is not Superior over the other. It boils down to what do you want out of your dog !!!!
I have sat here drinking coffee in the morning with my new four month old English lab at me feet. I found everyone to have valid points and also found this site to be very informative. After spending 40 plus minutes here, I feel compelled to add a comment.
My last lab was an American lab, black and named Maggie. She was a doll. We had a large fenced yard in Florida and she ran and swam everyday. She was fit and wonderful. Sometimes a little sulky if we went somewhere without her. She was consumed by cancer at six and we had to put her down. She traveled all of the USA, then Saudi Arabia and the UAE where I currently work. I thought there could never be a better dog… then I got myself an English chocolate lab, named Anna-Belle. I hate to admit it because I loved Maggie so much, but I think this little English lab will have her beat. So intelligent and eager to learn. Taught to sit and fetch in a day. After four days, she knows to ring a cows bell at my front door, to let me know we need to go outside… I love them both and we can debate all day long, but the bottom line is, you either love labs or you don’t!! And according to the world statistics, labs RULE!! American or English… love them all!
Don
Don, I couldn’t of said it better,we all need to love the dog we brought home, cause thats what they need & want from us. We found a field lab waitin’ for us at the shalter, he can’t stand bein’ left alone or walked on a leash but loves to be off the leash & play w/other dogs & play retrive the ball, also loves to swim everyday. I don’t think it would of matter if he were a english breed or not, we would of loved him all the same
My thoughts exactly. I can tell you that my English lab is a bit more of a free spirit than my last lab which was an American lab.
This new puppy is always in explore mode, and loves to play, but does not want too much cuddle time. She’ll get a little restless and put a small distance between my wife and I. My last lab was a cuddle addict and we were attached at the hips.
Both are wonderful pets.
I’m tired of my landlord telling me my lab retriever isn’t full blooded. She looks just like the dog in the banner up top, she’s red, and her hair isn’t long, even though my landlord insists that it is. She says that mine is a labrador retriever and she raised just labs, not realizing they are the same thing, there is no such breed as just a lab.
Do you have AKC papers? That would put the issue to bed.
If not for the St. Johns water dog, there would be no labs anywhere as this was their original origin. So no worries… either get a new landlord, or just roll with it and love your dog.
People argue and debate about every petty thing there is to talk about. I think the only thing to debate is what is better… dogs or cats? The answer, dogs!!
Especially Lab’s!!!
I don’t have papers, I rescued her from the pound, but my mother-in-law ran a dog grooming salon for years, and the vet says she is def. full-blooded. I guess I just get annoyed at her know-it-all attitude, and I surely do wish I could get a new landlord, but I assure you it’s for more reasons than that. People do love to argue, and I love both dogs and cats, but love dogs more. lol! Especially my lab.
I own an Am Lab – beautiful, black, 90#, athletic and fit female. Some arrogant snobs at the dog park sneer at my lab as if she’s defective. Note these same folks are owners of the square stubby Eng Lab type that has been bred for show ring and have lost many of the originally intended attributes. I frankly don’t care.
We must be related..!!
I have a 10 month old red lab never knew there was such a color can someone tell me more about the red lab. I had to register him as a yellow lab with the AKC.
For those who insist “there’s is better, bigger, more expensive” at the same folks who would never understand the undying loyalty of the lab (and my Eng Springer Spaniel). Both my girls are “velco” dogs and with me every inch of life. And, to me, there is no comparison.
We have 3 “English” labs, while my cousin owns an “American” lab. I love them all, no matter what labels are placed on them. All of them are wonderful companions, very smart, energetic, happy and healthy beloved family members!
Hi Tony,
AKC offers only the 3 colors Black, Yellow and Chocolat. I have a white lab and a fox red lab and they are both registered as yellow. Another example is your dilute colors a silver is a chocolate, a charcoal is a black and a champane is a yellow. Years ago you could register it as any color you wanted, but I believe in the early 80′s AKC changed it to Black, Yellow, Chocolate only.
Yes I love them all also, wheather it’s American or English Labradors are the best.
INHERITANCE OF COAT COLOR IN THE LABRADOR RETRIEVER
Labrador retrievers have coats of three basic colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. These colors are determined genetically, just like almost all of the traits that offspring get from their parents. The mode of inheritance of coat color is autosomal (not related to the sex of the dog), with the information for black and brown at a different location in the chromosomes (locus) from the information for yellow.
BLACK OR CHOCOLATE?
In determining if your puppies will be black or chocolate, the black coat color (B) is dominant to the chocolate (b). Therefore, a puppy will only be chocolate if each parent contributes the chocolate gene (bb). If one (Bb) or both (BB) parents contribute the black (dominant) gene, the puppy will be black (BB or Bb), although it can carry chocolate (Bb).
WHAT ABOUT YELLOW?
The gene that determines if your Labrador puppies will be yellow or not is at a different location, (locus) in the DNA from the black versus chocolate gene. In order to be yellow, a Labrador must have two recessive copies of the yellow gene (yy). In this case, the yellow color completely inactivates the black or brown genes, and the puppy is yellow. This means both parents contributed a yellow gene (y). However, if only one (Yy) or no (YY) yellow
genes are contributed, the puppy will be either black or chocolate, determined as explained above by what is on the black/chocolate gene. Two yellow labs (yy) can only have yellow puppies (yy), since they both have two copies of the yellow gene and that is all they can contribute. On the other hand, some black (BbYy or BBYy) and chocolate (bbYy ) Labradors carry one copy of the yellow gene, and if they are bred there is a chance that some puppies, by luck, will get a copy from each parent and turn out yellow (Bbyy, BByy or bbyy).
TAN POINT? WHAT’S THIS?
To make matters even more confusing, at yet another location there is a gene for tan point, which makes Labradors be colored similarly to Rottweilers or Dobermans. In order to see this, a puppy must have two copies of this gene, i.e. get one from each parent. If the puppy has the genes for black or chocolate as explained above AND two copies of tan point, it will be its predetermined color with tan markings. However, if it has the genes for yellow, the tan point features are hidden, and it will be yellow.
Colour
The three primary colour varieties of the Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers are registered in three colours: black (a solid black colour), yellow (anything from the colour that some breeders sell as white or cream to “fox-red”), and chocolate (medium to dark brown). Some dogs are sold as “silver” pure-bred Labradors, but purity of those bloodlines is currently under dispute. Major kennel clubs around the world allow Silver Labradors to be registered, but not as ‘Silver’. The Kennel Club (England) requires that they be registered as ‘Non-recognized’. The parent club for the Labrador Retriever in the USA (the LRC) states publically that ‘There is no genetic basis for the silver gene in Labradors’.Occasionally Labradors will exhibit small amounts of white on their chest, paws or tail, and rarely a purebred Lab will exhibit brindling (stripes) or tan points similar to a Rottweiler.These markings are a disqualification for show dogs but do not have any bearing on the dog’s temperament or ability to be a good working or pet dog.
naturally like your website but you have to check the spelling on quite a few of your
posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in
finding it very troublesome to tell the truth however I will definitely come back again.
I have a 10 month old black female Lab… I bought her from a very successful breeder of the stocky, English show-type Labs. Im disappointed because she has turned out like an American Field Lab. She is very tall with a long, slender body and a long muzzle, big flappy ears, spindly legs and and an upturned tail. She is also very energetic and she drives me crazy. If she didnt have such beautiful, intelligent eyes, and such a gentle, loving and affectionate personality, I would have rehomed her. I love her, but I havent been able to get over my dissapointment, as English Labs are my favourite… And my last Lab was a magnificent example.
i have 2 labradors the female is an english lab and the male is an american lab, there is any problem if i cross them????
Heck no… you’ll have the best of both worlds…
Watch out if the English lab wants to start walking on the wrong side of the road… LOL
I have both, english and am and I cant say one is better than the other. I love them both dearly. I will say that the am was smarter at training all the way around, but I dont think it has to do with what kind of labs they are, I think it is personality. my english has many champions on both sides and my am dont have any,but she knows what she was bred for.. our first day fishing she
ran right in the water and brought me back the fish I just released.I JUST LOVE MY LABS!!
Thanks allot for the article, I am relaxed now after coming to know that I have an American Lab, as I was tired of hearing that my lab is not pure breed as people use to compare it with the english labs.
Looks like you did not get an English Lab. USA labs needs twice the exercise to stay fit, and have an insatiable appetite.
My English lab is on my feet sleeping whilst I send you this note… sleeping beauty.
Train your puppy now while young. Give her time, she won’t disappoint you for long. My wife felt the same way about our English lab. Now the tide has turned and they are inseparable.
Whoa!! glad I stumbled across this site – I am currently trying to decide on which Lab to get for my Beagle to have a friend – if I wasn’t confused before I sure am now LOL
Beagles are nervous and often sulk if you leave them while you are out.
They love exercise however, so if you have time for lots of out of doors activities, go USA lab. English labs need less, so I would use that as a baseline.
My last lab was a mutt-lab. Half beagle and have American lab. She was really smart, and very clingy. She thought she was a puppy at 70 pounds.
We took her all over the world with us, and she was an international dog for sure.
Patty Reese
May 8, 2013
I LOVE MY CHOCOLATE LAB! He was purchased in Clinton, NY – Eli Brooke Labrador Retrievers – Gail Mosher Owner. My Lab’s name is Bennington (Ben for short). He is 1 year and half. Just when I think Ben is getting too heavy, I read comments from a sight like this and “Ben is just right.” Thanks for all the info re: English Lab vs American Labs. In my opinion, both are wonderful dogs.
I just adopted a lab from a shelter. It is the best dog that I have ever owned. She has a pinkish nose. She is the sweetest little girl.
She may be a mix but looks like a lab. Just love her…
This was a great arcticle on the color coat. Labradors do only come in the 3 colors Black, yellow, and Chocolate. But I do want to add to you opinion on the “Silver” coat. What the Silver, Charcoal and champane are, are color dilutes the silver is a chocolate diluted gene, the charcoal is a diluted black gene and the champane is a yellow dilute gene. But they are pure Labradors nothing else and they haven’t been mixed with another breed in past history either JUST LABRADORS. They are AKC regisitered as a Chocolate, Black or Yellow
Thank you for liking my website, I also like it, my webmaster is phenominal and I don’t know what I would do with out him. As far as the spelling I don’t care if someone misspells a word in a post I get the drift.
I’m not always happy with what I have got out of breeding either. But it’s great that you have kept her so many people discard their animals because they have not met their expectations. But buying a puppy is a crap shoot you never know what they will look like or how they will act. You can’t guarantee a great hunting dog or guarantee a show dog. But what I can guarantee is that a Labrador will love you unconditionally
No absoulutly not, you can cross them a Labrador is a Labrador. If you look back in the 30′s and 40′s your show dogs were leaner and taller like the American Lab, but now days they are shorter with blockier heads. So if you mate them you will have to see them as adults to see what they will look like.
Is there something I can help you with to make things more clear? A Labrador is a Labrador and the American VS. English is a style, a look !! They both love to run, fetch, swim, hunt, play and whatever else Labs love to do. So there should be no confusion, if you want a Labrador for your beagle, buy a Labrador
GREAT!!! Thank you for saving a Labrador
Confused over American Lab – English Lab? IMHO that’s what happens when money and “designer” breeders who on show ring and devalue field champions. Labradors ARE Labradors…only natural selection has been interfered with in the case of “English” labs by show/breeders (folks who place their agenda over the breed) who have genetically altered breed characteristics through selection of phenotype (how they look). AKC then followed by altering the breed standards. Labs are working dogs…retrievers which takes athleticism, agility and being bred form to function and not form to form. Put another way consider human athletes – wide receivers are trim, wirey and agile while blockers are stocky and heavy. If you threw a football down field, which do you think would fetch the ball and return it more quickly? How many times could you continue throwing the football before one stopped from exhaustion? In the 1950′s-70′s my father bred retrievers, trained and judged field trials – Goldens and Labradors (yellow/black). I don’t remember any of his dogs/bitches to be stocky and square like today’s Labradors. Same thing happened when Crabbet-bred Arabian horses (imported direct from Beadouin tribes) were bred in the US to European Arabian stock…the 14 hand finely typed horse has transformed into 15+ hands bulkier, heavier boned and less “typed”. I don’t mean to offend anyone, I’m only trying to point out breed characteristics are far more than “look”.
I am trying to find an American Lab pup, female, chocolate preferably but black is second choice. I had a chocolate years past that was built like an American lab but had long hair on her ears. This fits nether the description of American or English. If is was physically possible for her she could easily be trained to do it. Coco was the top dog of my ownership of dogs. We finally had her put down at age 14 because of just heart breaking health issues. We recently just lost a Chesapeake retriever due to my negligence of heart worm meds. That won’t happen again. So I am in search of a American Lab female chocolate pup. Can anyone help me with this search without the $1000.00 dollar price tag attached to it. If so kglevan@bellsouth.net.
Hi Keith
We have just bred Gander with Ginger (chocolate)there are 4 people on a waiting list. Also we have bred Gander with Tiara (black) there are 2 people on the waiting list. The chocolate litter is $600.00 and the black litter is $700.00. If interested in either of these litters you can contact me at 801-554-6535
There you go…. Chocolate, at an affordable price, and a reputable breeder.
Sounds like win, win…. healthy dog, good blood lines, and peace of mind. I would go this route.
If the price is too high for your budget, try Craigs list and local places to where your from.
Good luck!!
Appreciate your time the other morning. I sat down with my wife and we looked at your website. Coco is absolutely gorgeous. Have you ever bred Coco with Gander? The darker chocolate of Coco reminds us of our past Coco. Just wondering. And also when will you breed Coco again?
Hi Keith
Cocoa is Ganders daughter. So I can’t breed them together. But I will probably breed Cocoa to Tag late this year or early next year. This breeding will give 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 black
I didn’t know there was a difference in Chocolate labs until about 5 years ago when I answered a re-homing need ad. When I first saw “Big Chuck”, I asked “Are you sure that is a lab?!?” He was my other half and I recently had to put him down due to cancer. I held him and sang to him until I saw the life leave his eyes. I can’t even type this without crying. We answered another ad for a lab and neither us nor the owner can tell if our new Lab is Anerican or English, and his color is what I would call Brindle. Doesn’t matter, I love them both. My new boy is helping heal the pain, but he is his own self and I will add his ways to my category of what I love about my family members.
In loving memory of Charlie, aka “Big Chuck”
Gotta put my two cents into this debate. Every dog I’ve been lucky enough to share my life with has had its own, distinct and precioius personality, a soul if you’d like. That comes first. My last dog, Brandy was an American, field-type Lab who came from a very small hunting-orientated breeder in Oklahoma. She was an absolute love and joy. Like any Lab she needed daily walks to burn off energy and anxousness, but she grew into a fabulous house pet, very feminine, pretty with her long, lanky legs and straight snout, endearingly fey and solicitous having been raised with our three kids whom she brooded over like a mother hen, until they grew up and moved on with their lives. Brandy nearly made it to 13 when she passed away, leaving us heartbroken. Brandy’s successor is Indy, a male, English Lab with bench champions in his bloodlines. Both are yellow Labs, but I wanted Indy to contrast with Brandy, who was one of a kind and irreplaceable. Well, Indy did not disappoint. He is a fun-loving, boyish ball of energy. And he is an amazing leaper, a born Frizbe junkie and a
terrific walker. So I personally see very little difference between the two types. However, I do think it important to start training early and with consistency. Indy went through puppy socialization class and then two obediance classes. Labs may be “easy to train” but that doesn’t mean that they are born trained. It’s a pleasure to walk a calm, non-pulling Lab, and with a little bit of effort you and your dog can learn to do this without much difficulty. Final point: it’s easy to keep Indy’s weight down. We use a low-calorie Kibble and carrots and vegetable treats. No table scraps! No cookies! English Labs aren’t born fat. [You can see a picture of Indy on page 27 of "Just Labs" Magazine (January/February 2013].
Well hello Lab lovers every where!
I have a 5 year old Americian…Head like cement! Smart, strong,THE MOST INDEPENDENT LAB I HAVE EVER HAD! Yes I love her, and yes she gets lots of swimming and Chuckit ball living on the Chesapeake Bay. But I must say training her has been….and IS difficult. She is 5 years going on 6 months!!!
She has her CGC and did pass the Therapy Dog Testing. But she is the kind of THerapy Dog that would PUT someone in the hospital, not visit them!
Very excitable girl. Love everything that moves be it human or animal.
She is a wonderful girl as far as her loving nature, But hey, thats a Lab!
Anyone else have one of these head-strong girls?
Norfolk, Va.
One more comment…….I see in your picture(Rosewood Retrivers) at the beginning of this page that your Lab is wearing a training collar. I also used on at 6 months to 2 years and even had a trainer who trains hunters. But it just did not seem to work on her. Any idea why it may not have worked? It was a Dogtra with the LED light . waterproof and never failed in the water. Lots of folks were very upset when I used this on my Gracie Americian Lab girl. But I was really having trouble with her at that age.
Now at 5 she still is a very head strong girl, and sometimes I still think she could use the collar. ANything wrong with trying the collar again after a laps of 2 years> Will listen to all advise. I can use it!
Jordie
Hi Jordie,
I got the picture of your beautiful girl. Oh yes I have 20 Labradors, all with different personalities and I have two that are just like your girl. Very high energy with the smarts to go with it, but on the other hand difficult to train because they have soooooooooooo much energy they can’t sit still to listen and learn. but I love them all, and all the difference in each and everyone make my life a very happy one.
I got the picture of your girl, she is a beauty. Enjoy her because one day she will slow down.
Thank you…she is a challenging girl that is for sure. What do you think about using the Dogtra training collar on her after a 2 year laps? I believe she may need a bit of a reminder
These last two comments were making my wife and I laugh and smile this morning… Labs that are head strong and heads like cement. LOL!!!
It has been our experience that you can break them of this with overloads of training and attention in the first year of life. But if other dogs are around, it may prove impossible ergo the pack mentality plays into effect.
Once you slack off on the training, you must keep an eye out for digression. You will find supplemental training along the way will keep them in line and listening. Don’t forget the free spirit could be hereditary and very hard to make go away fully.
My pup still listens very well at nine months of age and knows more than a dozen hand commanded and voice commanded tricks. But one piece of paper blowing in the wind, and she is off and running.
Good luck with the collar bit. I think you get more with honey than vinegar.
Hi Jordie, Yes I’m a firm believer in using an electric collar, at any age. But please remember you can break a dogs spirit with a collar I have seen it done and it broke my heart. So please learn how to use it correctly before using it. I have a red Labrador and she is 4 years old and still will put you on ignore when the collar is not on her, so she is the type that will probably need it her entire life. The funny thing is you don’t even need the controller ha ha, just being on her makes her mind. But I have other dogs that will learn with it and then not need it any longer, except maybe a refresher course. So they are all different in their learning threshhold.
Hi there Don and wife:) You are so correct about other dogs being around. Gracie has lots of beach friends and that is were we spend most of your time, winter and summer. I have had her in many classes and she is the star of the class. ….But outside of class….it’s like “hey, you talkin to me”? She is better than she was at 1-3 years. But still as you said, she can not contain herself when around other dogs. The training collar is an issue for me. I felt it was necessary in the beginning, but not so sure now. What I have found is I must have a Drill Sargent attitude with her and it’s not what I’m use to with dogs.
To just tell Gracie “come” does nothing unless it’s in a very strong voice.
And yes, she is from hunting stock….what was I thinking!
She love the game of “search” where I will hide bits of freeze dried treats. She can find a peanut in a 50 acre field. Helps with her hunting drive.
Thanks for your input, it’s always helpful with a girl like Gracie.
Yelp, put the training collar on and she complies. Take if off and she KNOWS it’s off. I did hire a very good trainer who trains hunters and their dogs. She had all the correct ways of training with the collar. It was my fault, I became frustrated and gave up! Yes, that’s just what I did. Almost re-homed her at 3 years. She really was just too much dog for me. But I didn’t, and am glad of it.
She is a free spirited, loving girl, with a huge Lab Heart.
Having said that, there is still the issue of her lack of obedience. ANd who’s fault is that? Did not stay consistant. Working on ALL these issues and just
hope it’s not too late to ROCK HER WORLD A LITTLE BIT
My Am Girl Gracie, has a wonderful buddy Jake who is an English boy.
Both are wonderful dogs and have the same Lab quality….THEY LOVE EVERYONE. Doesn’t get any better than that. Do your home work, make a decision based on your life style and energy level and what ever you choose, Love it with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Just my thoughts!
My first Am Lab was a 5 week old pup left in a box at the front door of my Veterinary office. At 5 weeks I didn’t know what I had! This girl grew to be a beautiful (fox red) prue Americian Lab……with bad hips. She truly was something special in a spiritual way. Everyone who knew her
felt there was just something about her that you knew was different.
She became a wonderful Therapy Dog and brought so much joy to so many adults and children.
Her love was some of the best I have had in my life time!!! Oh no, gotta go get
the tissues.
I had an english black lab for alittle over 13 years…He was my best friend….very loving, loyal, and great with everyone…even others animals…I found a breeder on the internet and wrote her…She was expecting a liter of black and choc, lab puppies….I picked a choc, male lab…..I paid and picked him up 8 weeks later and found out he was an american lab….I have been having such problems with him…He is in his second round of classes…he will not listen…he goes after my friends dogs and he is aggressive and means it…He’s is walked, played with everyday and goes to class…He jumps at kids, people and etc…..He is only 6 months old!!!! Is this normal for an american lab? Was there a problem in the breeding? I’m at such a loss… I love labs..
The high energy is more prone for the American Labs but NOT the aggressive behavior. It does happen but not often. You need a stern hand in training to settle them down, but they are used more for hunting and the high energy is great in the field. Don’t give up on him once he settles he’ll be a great dog I’m sure.
I agree. Don’t give up on him. He may need some individual behavior classes. I have had both types and in general, the English lab appears to be calmer. We have a 3yo English bred lab now, who, for a better word is “crazy”. Our friends have an American bred lab or field lab, who is the same age but very calm in all aspects. I do believe all labs want to please their humans, so be persistent and it will pay off.
Unfortunately everyone that breeds a dog and bitch doesn’t have the knowledge to do so and often produce undesirable outcomes. The dog is young, I would return him to the breeder and find another. Am labs do have energy, but as the previous post noted – not unruly/aggressive energy. My Jane (6 yo) is lazy but very smart and in fact, I bought her through a shelter where an Indiana breeder/hunt reserve owner culls his field hunt dogs at training. She’s the only lab I’ve ever seen that doesn’t like water, wet grass…she dumps in my flower gardens on the mulch! Good retriever but probably not what a hunter would want. She is docile, loving and a great dog who tried jumping until she figured out a knee meeting her rising chest smarted and the jumping stopped. She is easy going and gets along with all the dogs at the daycare and our Eng Springer Spaniel Emily. My father bred Am labs and occasionally he would get an idiot and he would try to make a pet out of the dog and if the dog still was unwieldy he would destroy it. And, if the dog was the least bit aggressive he destroyed them earlier. In fact, if he two litters from the mating that produced a second idiot or an aggressive pup, he would not breed the pair and likely would watch other pairings and get rid of the parent that seemed to produce the undesirable trait. I have a friend who bought a beautiful Golden Retriever – also from an internet breeder. That dog was nothing but problems as you’ve cited, it never got better. Soon the behavior devolved into chewing things – valuable things. At 7 yo the dog dashed out into street did not respond to being called and was killed. The heartache that family endured over a dog that should have been returned was difficult to watch. At six months old, I’d opt to return the dog and ask for an exchange from a different mating. Then spend some time with the pups before choosing. I’m sure the breeder, if a reputable one, would want you to do that. Check out Google on how to pick a puppy and identify bad traits before selecting a pup. There’s a number of articles out there. My labs live 15+ years. Life is too short with a best friend to spend a majority of it reprimanding the poor thing.
Agreed entirely, except you must remember he is only six months old. He is a puppy. Be stern with him, get him neutered too. That will take 50-60% of the wildness out of him.
I had to give my Maggie a few kicks in the butt when she was a puppy, and she was one of the best behaved girls you ever saw…
Don’t give up.
We just picked up our American Chocolate female lab here just under two weeks ago. The people that had the litter, 15, 2 died and 13 survived, had only had them in a Kidd pool, no retrieving and no obedience training, just basically trying to handle taking care of 13 puppies. In the 11 days we have had her, she is swimming in the lake. retrieving a ball and rope throw toy. Setting, stay command. Loves her crate. knows her name. Stays on the porch at night…..just absolutely amazed at her progress. We had am American lab years ago just by chance and finally had her put down at age 14+. Went to an English lab, now our experience, not saying this about nobody else s lab but very disappointed in her progress. Never did get her to even simple obedience commands. Finally gave her away. Paid $400 for her. Had a Chesapeake next, good dog, just a tremendous odor. health issues got her at age 7. This time went back to the American bred lab and as of right now she has impressed the hell out of me in 11 days. These people still have 7 left. Our vet was very impressed with her health records and dogs actual health.
My american chocholate lab is now 9 month and he is 33 KG = 77lbs
is he going to grow more he is also tall but i did not measure him
I saw a British lab the other day and it wasn’t that big. I loved it! Is every British lab like this?
I have and American Lab. She is actually my Mobility Service dog. I do not know that one is better than the other. I should also mention my father was her trainer. She has just turned two and “Bella” is outstanding!! I could not ask for a more loving or supportive companion to help me with my day to day activities. She is much more than my service dog. Bella is my companion and best friend. My dad has an English Lab. “Lilly” is also a great dog. She is more stocky and I feel not as quick to learn but maybe it is just that she has not had the training Bella has. Either way both Labs are incredible. I just do not see how people can say one is better than the other.
One is NOT better than the other. A Labrador is a Labrador. So which STYLE a person chooses is a person preference. A friend of mine sent me an article one on the different Styles of Labradors I will find it post it if it didn’t get deleted. There are many different styles
Great name…. we had one called Bella, but she got Parvovirus when we got her and no therapy could save her. Now we have Anna-Belle, keeping the Bella memory going.
My English lab sometimes is a bit stubborn and has a personality all her own, but is smart as a whip!!
I feel like you…. Labs, gotta love um..!
It all comes down to your personal preference. My husband and I got an English lab first, and he is wonderful! So smart and a breeze to train! We decided to get another lab, we chose an American female. I never thought I would love her as much….but I do!! She is just as smart, sweet, loving and loyal as our English. And the two are the best of friends!! Labs are amazing dogs!
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My family went and picked a pup from a breeders litter when the pups were only 6 weeks old and left a deposit. we were supposed to pick the puppy up in two weeks but got an email that the breeder was hospitalized and the people running her place sold the puppies..we were devastated and searched and searched for another but couldnt find one without having to wait a few months. My kids did not want to wait and we ended up at a place that was “supposedly” a breeder but I believe they were just a puppy mill now. We got a female lab at 12 weeks old, supposed to be full english. She is now 18 weeks old and I’m not sure if she’s english or american. Her face is not that squared (but I hear females aren’t as blocky as males) but her coat and tail are thick. She”s getting taller now and it seems her legs arent that short..Is it common to breed american and english?? We’ve named her Cassie and she is a sweetheart and we love her either way..just wondering
I have both a 1 year old english and an8 month old american. They are very different to look at height, weight, shape of face and body, but they are such beautiful, good animals! To me a lab is a lab and in my book they are the best of the best ❤
HenryH
We had a white shepherd for 9 years. Misty was lost to cancer a couple of years ago. She needed and loved exercise. Her best buddy, an English chocolate lab named Cocoa lived 2 houses down the block. Cocoa and Misty played together several hours each week. Cocoa loved the exercise just as much as Misty. One Friday I decided to see how long the dogs would run and play before they just powered down. At the time, Misty was 5 and Cocoa 3. These dogs ran and played continuously for over 6 hours. They then just crashed beside each other and went to sleep. Cocoa may be an exception but she clearly was an English lab that loved vigorous exercise.
We now have another white shepherd, Lilly, who is 4 months old and is high energy. One of her training classes has 3 black lab puppies in it. Two are American labs and one is English. All three of these dogs love exercise, are intelligent and downright adorable. We are now considering getting a lab puppy so Lilly will have a partner. I am not concerned about whether the puppy will be an American or an English lab. I think that there are countless examples of highly intelligent dogs from either lineage that have great personalities.
I have an American lab and he was a rescue from a kill-shelter. I got him at 10 months and he was absolutely bouncing off the walls. No one had trained him at all and likely just shoved him outside all day (I inference this by the fact that despite he was not trained at all, he was completely house-trained. I think he was never actually in a house before for any long period of time and therefore had no idea that he could even use the bathroom in the house!). After a good 6 months of working with him and exercising him 2-4 hours a day, he settled down in a way I never expected. As I write this, he is literally sleeping on my feet. We only played fetch at a park for about 30 minutes today. But, at almost 2 1/2 years old that is all he needs now. I take him out everyday but it is no longer once in the morning and once in the evening. He is housebroken completely, he doesn’t chew (even my shoes that lay on the floor in my bedroom!) and he is left alone with access to the house (doggy door) for 6-8 hours a day. He only gets exercised in the evenings for 30 minutes to an hour, except for the once or twice a month local retriever trial event. So, for all of you who say that American Labs are high strung, I would disagree and say that almost -any- breed of dog can become high strung if not properly exercised daily. I would call my lab energetic but he definitely has an off switch and in the house he is just as mellow and calm as the English labs are “supposed” to be. I grew up with an English lab that was way more hyper than he is!
Hi I have a beautiful puppy American lab between yellow and red fox is 7mo. I always got english and for me is the same don’t worry if is am or eng or any different kind . All dogs are wonderful they just want to be loved and that is what they deserve they don’t care if you are fat or skinny they love any ways thanks.
I rescued my yellow field lab from our small town dog pound. I thought he must have been a runt when the vet said he was 10months old and weighed only 53 pounds. Vet said FEED Him 6cups a day. 2 months later he was 70lbs. Then i read up on Labs and learned about the field Lab. His looks and athleticism are like a field lab, but his temperment is more like a English/bench lab. He is the most Loving dog i ever owned. He can be any kind of dog you need him to be. He is smart, and loving, and brave, and funny. In public he is friendly with all. At home he is a fierce protector. He catches frisbees like a mad dog, and he can swim. yet he can sleep 16hours a day.. About the only thing he cant do is herd sheep or cows. But, then no when ever tried to teach him. Everbody loves him. He will be testing to be a therapy dog soon.He is my guardian and best friend. He is a dog who makes everybody happy, especially me!!!
This thread tells me one thing-
To have a dog and love that dog are truly alive.
I have an English Yellow. To me, he is the greatest dog out there. He is handsome, loyal, listens well, and will be there for me as long as he can.
My sister has an American Black Lab. She loves her, to her she is the greatest dog ever.
My other sister has a Wolf Hybrid. To her, he is her protector, her world.
My other sister just had to put down her Rott/German Shepherd mix a week ago. She is still grieving tremendously.
A dog (in the right hands) will always be looked at as the “best dog out there”.
There is no better breed than the other. There isn’t a better looking dog than any other out there.
It is all in the eyes of the master. And most of the time, when you ask someone, they will tell you that they have the greatest dog around.
That is how important a dog can be in someone’s life.
So when everyone here wants to write down how much better an English is than an American, or vice versa, the only thing that I can see is that they love their dog that much, enough to size him up to another dog to explain why he is superior.
It’s all fair game, mine is better than yours= I love my dog more than words can describe.
Kudos to you all for loving your dogs
And for the record, my English is much better than any other dog out there…
I have an English Lab, today is her 14th birthday. I think she must have a little American Lab in her somewhere though as, although she is short and stocky, she has a delicate face (absolutely beautiful still, even with her greying muzzle) and a more delicate tail than usual. I worry about some of the earlier comments though about weight? Someone has an English Lab who is 82lbs?! I think that is far too much, my girl’s fighting weight, when she was younger, was around 55 lbs, she is currently 61lbs owing to the steroids she is now on for her arthritis. She is an old lady now but still an incredible companion and has one of the sweetest temperaments I have ever known. I will miss her terribly when she leaves me.
This dialogue is great. I am so glad I stumbled on this site.
About 13 yrs ago, we rescued an Amer yellow male, 5 yrs old, with NO training other than giving a paw. Not even a “sit” command worked. Brought a great trainer into the picture and with one session, Bailey could sit, stay, and lie down. He developed into a wonderful, loving and well-behaved dog. He was friendly with other dogs and humans, but not excessively. Unfortunately, we had him for only three yrs, losing him to liver cancer.
About a yr later, we found a great English breeder at the Trenton Kennel Club show, one of the most highly regarded in the country. I gave her a deposit then and there for her yellow litter due in a month! We would get first choice.
We got Cody at two months. He was so smart and sweet. I also trained him as my Mobility Service Dog. Due to my chronic illnesses, I have limited muscle strength, so I used a Halti when walking him. My husband used just the collar. Cody was fine either way. He had an exuberant personality and loved every person and every dog that came his way.
He adored our cat; he would groom her every time she she nuzzled him. He died last Thanksgiving from prostate cancer. We still miss him.
Bailey and Cody were somewhat different in temperament, but I think that had to do with Bailey’s poor family life before we adopted him, not that he was Amer. Cody’s size was perfect for being my service dog, more so than Bailey’s. But, both of them were wonderful pets.
We are carefully searching for another male yellow English, at least 18 months old, to adopt. I have found that some rescue groups are not knowledgeable about the difference between Amer and English. That surprises me, and we can’t use those groups. If anyone knows of a dog available near Philadelphia/Harrisburg, PA, New Jersey, Delaware, or lower NY State, please let me know at slowing@comcast.net.
yes it does happen, we have a English, American and a mixed English American, they are all AKC labs and wonderful dogs
I recently lost my 9 1/2 year old male English Lab to cancer. I work from home and he was my constant companion…the first lab I ever had and the best dog I ever had. I spent $1750 the week before he died trying to find out what was wrong with him. His illness came on suddenly and he deteriorated fast. I was just heartbroken. It is the first time in 20 years that I haven’t had a pet. I know I want another lab. I found a very nice one in SC…I’m from Georgia…He will be 7 weeks old on Friday. I’m planning to meet him then. Last night, a friend of mine went on Craigslist to see if any labs were available on there. I found one that is 10 weeks old. A family had bought 2 male puppies and then found out they had to move out of state so they are trying to rehome them. They found a home for one of the puppies a few days ago. I’m considering going to see this puppy but I have a few concerns. About 20 years ago, I bought a Golden Retriever puppy. In that process, I found out about puppy mills and almost got my Golden from one. I’m so glad I found out I was dealing with a puppy mill and cancelled the deal before the pups were born. I’m not sure about the blood line of this lab puppy I’m considering. What kind of questions should I ask? Should I meet the person who originally sold this puppy? I can save $600 by getting this puppy over the one in SC but I’m a little hesitant because as of now I don’t know anything about the breeder or the blood line.
I’m very sorry about your loss, it’s hard to lose a family member. Nothing wrong with checking into a better deal, but yes there are questions you want to ask.
These are all questions for the breeding facility, so you will have to get the information from the person with the puppies.
1. Ask if you can see their facilities
2. Ask if the parents can be seen and where
3. Ask how often they breed their dogs (should be only once a year)
4. Ask to see a pedigree
5. Ask if the parents are certified (hips, eyes, elbows, EIC, CNM) these are the main concerns
6. Ask if they are UTD on vaccinations
These are probably the main questions you want to ask, hope this helps.
I have an 18 month old American black male and a 5 month old English black male. They are so different personality wise in their own way. The American was much smarter and easier to train. The English is kind of hard headed. Is this common? Or is it just the dog himself? He was harder to house train. I did the crate training with him whereas I didn’t with the American. These are the first Labs I have owned, have had numerous dogs over the years and have fallen absolutely in live with these 2 boys I have.
I think it was just the dog, you can find stubborn pups in both the American and English Labs.
LOL! I think it’s just the difference in their personalities! We have a 3yo English Black male who figured out housetraining from the get go. However, he his the most stubborn dog I have ever owned and wants to do things on his own schedule, we call Angus Time!
Yes, it is true in my experience too. My English lab is wonderful, but she is hard headed sometimes… but we love her more everyday. My last Lab was an American lab and she was much faster to train, and learn the names of her toys, etc.
This one I have is just a year old and coming along. She is still fascinated with a leaf blowing in the drive way… LOL
it the dog, I have 3 and they are all different and I just love them!!
We rescued a lab/golden retriever mix from the local Human Society. We could never figure out why she was built the way she was. Glad to know there are actually two lines. Certainly explains a lot. She’s not the slim sleek lab I was used to seeing. She’s just built bigger! Everyone tells me she’s fat when I say she weighs 100#s but she’s not!
My lab is 80lb and the vet insists he’s overweight. He has 350g of pro plan per day and a frozen carrot (with no other snacks) after exercise. We walk for 1 1/2- 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour per evening. I don’t think he’s fat but the vet has told us to put him on a low fat food. Help
Is he Neutered? Many labs after being fixed, just naturally pound on the weight.
I suggest more exercise, and less food, swapped out for more frozen carrots, frozen non fat yogurt, and even cabbage or greens when they are on sale.
The vet is a vet… meaning many years of school and loads of experience. Trust your vet.
My lab will eat watermelon rinds. She is like a four legged garbage disposal.
which breed makes a better house companion
16 years ago I went to pick up a puppy. I am English and I had just moved to American. Always having a dog I was lost without one, I went for a lab for obvious reason. When I saw the puppy I said to my sister thats a mongrel, no way thats a lab but I don’t care a dog is a dog and I took him. 6 months later someone said to me what a pretty American Lab and nothing has changed, he is beautiful. I will say he had to be walk 2 to 3 hours a day when he was smaller and his energy never dropped until the last couple of years. He has been the best friends ever and I will have a hard time losing him but what a life we have had together. Best dog ever, American labs rock but you get what you put into them. They need exercise they need a job but what a breed they are.
I have both, a Black English, Zoe and Yellow American, Capone. They are in my opinion however two separate breeds. The muscle strength and long line of a strong healthy American is amazing. The English has a beautiful stocky appearance with a heavier slicker coat, very calming to look at. The temperament between the 2 is also somewhat different in regards to energy except when they curl up on the couch with me.
I’ve have own two American labs in the past 20 years and both have had 2 different personalities. My first was a dog that could find any bird kind of dog. My second is a get there before it hits the ground kind of dog. My point is that it’s all about the personality of the dog. I had trained them both the same and both are amazing dogs with lots of love and loyalty. I’m sure the English breed is the same. Labs are in my opinion the best dog for a family no matter the breed.
I am so happy to have found this article. I have an American lab pointy face long legs and a longer tail. For those reason people are always questioning if she is pure bred. Saying things like ” oh no she couldn’t be she looks like a mix.” Funny thing is I have her papers and all though it doesn’t matter to me one way or the other if she is pure bred people sure like to voice their opinions about the subject. My Belle is my baby and has been the best dog I have ever owned. No dog can compare I am just happy to see an article explaining the difference. Thank you.
My nine year old male yellow lab’s hind legs have started collapsing whenever he brakes when running. He is lean, 75 lbs and walks two miles daily as he has for years. He has taken glucosamine daily for years. Any idea as to what the cause may be? How serious is this condition? We often hike in the woods. Please email me anything you can to help my boy. Thanks.
Hi Tom
You can run an DNA test (cheek swab) to see if he may have EIC (Excercise Induce Collapse) This is where they loose their back end due to exercise. There is no cure but after a few minutes they recover and are back on their feet. It doesn’t seem like they are in any pain, but it crazy to watch. I do have some dogs with this problem and they have all lived healthy lives. You just have to watch them carefully and especially in water.
Glad to have helped explain things. Doesn’t matter what style of Labrador you have they are all Labradors.
Either one is great in the house, I have an American and an English Labrador in the house.
both, I have a English and American and a American English mix, love all 3
My American lab is surrounded by English labs and when asked his breed if I mention he’s a rescue then I hear a guessing game of what else he could be mixed with. Now that I know the difference I can explain he’s an American lab. As he’s grown its clear he’s all lab, he lives to retrieve, swim, and run like a race horse. And then there’s the negative comments about his weight, insinuating I don’t feed him enough or asking if he was a recent rescue. He was thin even though the vet said he was a healthy weight, but now that he’s approaching 2 years old starting to fill out and not look as lanky.
I have a 4 year old female black english and she an awesome member of our family. Her father was a champion show dog (ShyGuy). The breeders we chose were wonderful. We were invited to tour the kennels and meet our pup’s mother, Molly. Molly was very friendly but also very calm. Turns out it was a trait that Ariel (our lab) inherited from her mom because she was pretty much out of her puppy stage by about 18 months.
All my life I’d loved German Shepherds and always wanted one. My wife, however, had been bitten in the face by one when a child and was understandably reluctant to own one. So we settled on a lab. I’m so completely in love with the breed that I’ll never own anything but a lab again.
I’m on this site because we’re thinking about getting a puppy after 3 years of not having one. Just reading all these stories makes me cry thinking of our two Labradors we have lost to cancer. Aspen was an American chocolate and Bridger was an English yellow. Great hunters and companions! The only trouble we ever had was Aspen with her ailing eyesight and hearing, became aggressive to people getting near “her” front yard and front door! We are looking for an English because we like the “look”, not because one is better than the other!
We do have a litter of English style Labs coming due 1/14/2014. They are out of a GCH out of the Belquest kennels. You can view all the information on our website http://www.rosewoodretrievers.com
Yes unfortunately the American labs get that ALOT they seem to go through a gangly stage. But they grow into beautiful dog in the end
My lab, in my eyes looks healthy. He’s taller than some labs I know with a deep chest. What is the heaviest a healthy lab can be. You can feel his ribs without pressing but the vet says he’s still too heavy
Sent from my iPhone
Michelle
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So happy to have stumbled upon this thread. We had a “perfect” chocolate American Lab for 14 years and put him down in November, Vico Blue hunted upland game with my husband and was the family “lap dog” on his days off. We also have an almost 2 year old chocolate American Lab, Cola Blue who is proving to rival Vico in his “perfectness!” Love the English too but couldn’t be without my American buddy! We too recommend, intensive and constant training in the first year, this will make for a lifetime bond and a great family member.
We are in Alberta, Canada and got our Cola Blue from Marble Mountain Kennels in California, he flew up all by himself, was met by an animal specialist customs broker in Vancouver for some playtime and a snack and then made the last leg to us!
Finding out about Rosewood is wonderful, now we have another option for our future family members!
Our english Lab ,Izzy, is an absolute delight to our family! We love her! She is 18 weeks now and is 36 pounds, and growing. Some advise to potential lab puppy owners, have lots of chew toys on hand. Also , obedience training would not be a bad idea for your puppy,as this breed is very confident and can be stubborn some times!
Enjoy!
My 10 month old male ‘English Style” chocolate lab (Max) is awesome. Great sense of humor, loves to goof on my wife and me. Very sweet, loves the water, and running with other dogs (loves all dogs and people he has met) at the dog park. As others have said, he will eat as much as we feed him and what he can get counter-surfing; he is wicked fast getting food off our kitchen counters. My brother has a beautiful “American Field” yellow lab. She is very sweet, loves to swim and play with Max. Loves to eat….bla bla bla. They both are champion bloodline labs but bear no physical similarity. Another striking difference is energy level – his (American) having significantly more energy and need for exercise. So as others have said, in my humble opinion it is more a matter of personal preference (appearance) and to some degree perhaps energy levels and your respective lifestyle – BOTH TYPES ARE GREAT.
I lost my Star puppy April 3rd 2013. Star was an English lab that my neighbor brought home as a puppy. Star always wanted to be with me and at around 18 months I gave her her obediance training and would walk her on a leash. I got busy with work and hoped they would keep it up but they did not. When she was 4 years old the husband and wife had devoriced and she was offerd to me, as I had worked overseas and was considering going back I said no. I did not want her getting attached to me to only be deserted. She disappered for a few weeks, the neighbors said a friend took her but then she was back. I asked what happened they said they had gave her to the pound but got to feeling guilty and got her back. A few weeks later they were losing their house and offered her to me again, I gladly took her. Star was 4 years old when I got her and had a habit of blasting out the front door and down the road given any opportunity when they had her and this scared me. I bought a shock collar and after getting her spent the first 3 days walking her and spending all my time with her.O the 4th day I put the collar on her and opened the front door. Star flew out the door leaped off the front porch turned around and looked at me like, are you ready to go? I had her for 4 wonderful years, she weighed 92 pounds and had energy like a puppy always ready to play. Star died of cancer. she was in stage 5 before she showeed any signes of being sick. She started throwing up on Saturday morning, went to the vet onn Easter Sunday, back to the vet on Monday and admitted and died that Wednesday. I am heart broken and crying as I write this. She could not stand for me to leave her even when I went ot work and I miss her mre than words can explain. I am very lonely, I as 60 have never been married and have no children and no living family. Star was everything to me. I have in the last few days been looking at web sites and breeders nad considering a new puppy but as I write this I realize I am still not ready. I miss my baby.
l love my english lab. i dont know what i would do without him , but i want to ask anyone who has and english labe. dose you drip alot from the mouth. . thank you
hi i have yellow English lap of 4 months old both male and female for adoption contact me at van_v3eve@hotmail.com
I’m so sorry about your beautiful Star, it’s always hard to loose a loved one. I lost my beautiful Gander just 2 weeks ago and it broke my heart. He was my buddy and my hunting companion. I still talk to him as if he is still in his kennel. When you are ready for a new addition maybe we can help you fill the gap.
We’ll your vet knows best, but I would think if you can feel his ribs he’s probably just right
I’m sitting here, reading this to my American/field lab out loud and he’s just staring at me like I’m crazy. (He was actually bred to be a hunting show dog, however did not meet the standards. He was too large and bulky. They were going to give him to a shelter, so we swooped in and saved him before they did. Funny. He’s quite tall and lanky now and he points just wonderfully)
I think it would be wonderful to have a distinction between the American and English lab. I love both and they are both just so unique.