Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds worldwide and for good reason. They are social, friendly, and loving creatures. Labs are the best family dogs, loyal service dogs, they don´t hesitate to jump into cold waters to retrieve a hunter’s prey, Labs even serve along with the police and the military. Labrador Retrievers are simply awesome dogs.
English Labrador vs American Labrador – Different Lab breeds?
We all know that Labradors come in three different colors: Black, Yellow, and Chocolate. (more if you count the diluted Labradors). But, there are also two different body types of Labrador Retriever: The English or Show type, and the American or Field type. There is a bit of a controversy over which one is the real Labrador and of course, each type has its loyal enthusiast fans. Let´s find out everything about these two different Labradors, what makes them different, and which one might be the best for you.
Where do Labrador Retrievers come from?
All Labradors belong to the same family tree whose origin is from Newfoundland, Canada. The ancestor of modern Labrador Retrievers was known as the St. John’s Water Dog, These dogs were fishermen’s dogs and they had a love for winter. They would jump in the icy water to catch fish that had fallen off the hooks and would also recover mooring ropes for the fishermen of the Labrador Sea. They were perfect for this work because their coat repelled water, and their webbed paws were excellent for swimming.
The St. John’s Water Dog eventually was exported to England where they crossbred with other dogs and created many retriever breeds including the mythical Labrador Retriever. The St. John’s Water Dog looked a lot like modern Black Labradors but with white patches on the chest, paws, and muzzle. It is common for Black Labradors to have some stray white hairs or even white spots in those areas. This is the genetic heritage of their ancestor.
Labradors were first imported to England in the 1800s. There is where they were named Labrador dogs. They had very fine legs, and smooth hair, and were extremely fast in running and swimming. Hunters and farmers also started using them in their daily lives. In the 1900s, this breed came back to the American continent, and, finally, in 1917, the American Kennel Club recognized Labradors, and the breed was taken in as a pet by many families. Labradors are naturally water retrievers, and they have a love for the water. Labs are excellent hunting companions, guide dogs, and service dogs. They are even used by the military.
Are there two different Labrador breeds?
The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the UK Kennel Club (KC) consider the Labrador as only one breed. They make no distinctions. However, as a result of specialized breeding, Labs are informally classified into two body types: English or Show Labrador, and American or Field Labrador.
The English Lab body type refers to dogs that have been bred to compete in dog shows. And, the American Labrador, are dogs that were bred as hunting or working dog. The geographic location has nothing to do with these names, only the roles.
What is the difference between English and American Labradors?
Both types of Labradors are loving caring, intelligent, and have a strong will to please humans. However, when it comes to temperament, there are some differences between American and English Labradors.
Are English labs calmer than American?
English Labradors appear to be calmer and less energetic than American Labradors. American Labradors are more playful, active, and full of energy because they have been bred as work dogs. That doesn’t imply that the English Labs are lazy by any means. All Labs are known for their high vitality, yet American Labs have a lot more stamina and vitality. In comparison, English Labs are ordinarily more laid back and less edgy than their American cousins.
Are English labs bigger than American labs?
The main differences between the English Labrador and the American type are their physical appearance.
The Uk’s Kennel Club standard for Labrador Retrievers is as follows: The height of male Labradors should be between 22.5 and 22.5 inches and for mature females, 21.5 to 22 inches. The weight of a male Labrador is between 70 and 80 pounds and a female should be around 55 to 70 pounds.
The AKC standard for the breed is the following: The height of a male Labrador is from 22.5 to 24.5 inches, and the height of a female Lab is from 21.5 to 23.5 inches. The weight of a male Labrador is between 65 and 80 pounds, and from 55 to 70 pounds for females.
So, both the American and the English Labrador weigh the same. But, the American Lab is taller. The fact that English Labs are shorter makes them look heavier than their American counterpart. But actually, the American Labs is generally bigger than the English type.
Which type of Labrador is best for You?
Some things should be considered before choosing between an English and an American Labrador:
The first thing to consider is your lifestyle, Both types of Labs need a lot of exercises, but American Labradors require even more activity. If you are a person that enjoys spending time outdoors or is looking for a gun dog to go hunting with, the American Lab would be ideal. But, if you just want a family dog that your kids can play with at the park, better go with the English Lab. Remember that every dog is an individual and the differences between the American and English Labrador are based on generalizations.
Whatever Labrador you choose, it won’t be a wrong choice as all Labradors are the most loving beings. And it is important to get it from a genuine breeder only after checking the health of its parents and the Labrador puppy too.
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