[YardleyLabs]

what do you think would happen if a dog was required to at least have a JH before awarding a CH? the piggier labs might die in training but overall it would hopefully infuse a lot more athletic yet conforming dogs into the pool and eventually phase out the piggies.

I think it begins with the attitude that a Labrador shall possess "a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog.." (AKC Labrador Standard). A dog that look like it would have a heart attack doing repeated, quick, 100 yard retrieves does not meet this standard any more than a dog with a head that looks like a whippet. I have no difficult understanding the field trial competitor who is willing to overlook a narrow head or a little white marking in exchange for an edge in performance. No one is suggesting that field trial dogs are or should be the measure of the breed standard. However, show dogs are supposed to be the measure of the breed standard and should not be forgiven when they stray from the fundamental functionality of the breed.

 

[windycanyon]

I voted to leave things the way they are, not that I like everything I see. IMO, the situation we are in didn't happen over night. It has been an evolving process that has crept in to the Labrador world.............. from both sides. I too feel that improvements will begin with an educational movement...........on both sides. It will also involve sacrifices...........from both sides. I have shown up at many a hunt test with my show dogs to see them make inferior runs to the non-conforming field dogs. Not that my dogs made sloppy runs, but they didn't hold a light to some of the "gazelle" speeds that birds were scooped up and returned by some of the field Labs. That makes my challenge of searching out sires and dams that conform to the standard and have that deep, truly burning, performance desire even greater. These dogs may be a little tough to find now, but if some of us remain persistant and continue to work and breed dogs of this description, just maybe we can slowly begin a reverse movement in this evolutionary process.

Wally

If I haven't said it before, I will. This mirrors my feelings as well.

It's become a real dilemma to find stud dogs that bring to the table what I want in working ability and type. So few show breeders are proving their dogs' working ability any more, and when they do get them out, I find myself disappointment more often than not. I bred to a "tweener" 18 mos ago and yes, I did take a step back on breed type, but she's put together well, and she's got DRIVE. What a fun dog to train and compete with!!!! I can absolutely relate to the field side because it sets my bar at a higher level. I finished her CD a couple weeks ago, and moved her up to Open Obed the next day, and that judge had a smile on his face the whole time (he owns Goldens). He told me 3 times while we were doing our individual exercises that he LOVED her enthusiasm! That's unusual to have an obed judge compliment handlers like that and it was genuine. I have some "bringing down" to do (which will likely come w/ maturity) but that is far more preferable than having to pump up a sluggo.

I believe I'm going to be doing more field breedings in the next few years for this reason. Working ability and enthusiasm is just too important to the breed to overlook. Not to mention far too many of the show breeders don't believe EIC is a problem... so therefore refuse to test (or share their results if they have tested). And considering the big winning show dogs are now tipping the scales at 95-100+ lbs, it's a hard pill for me to swallow since the standard does call for an active athletic dog. Even if that weight is attributable to "bone", it's way too much but when even my vets comment about what they are seeing in the show ring-- fat (before any of the show folks get their dander up, my regular vet is a former show breeder who is still involved in performance and she is tough on weight!). Anne

 

[Steve Shaver]

Do you actually ready what you write? "Conformation types". I know it does me little good to keep putting my 2 cents in, but I can't help it. Most people in the Show Lab vs Field Lab forums are so hung up on being right, they still won't face the truth. Read my last post, as that is the damn close to the truth. In addition to the vast number of puppy mills pumping out "AKC" labs and goldens, as well as owners who think because they have "papers" they can breed their dog; you have "legiitimate" breeders breeding "out of Standard dogs". To beat a dead horse, The American Labrador Retriever Club has lost control of the breed and with HARD work and TIME there is NO Excuse for not getting the breed back to where it belongs.

As a group, you need to put your hard core prejudices aside and work at saving your breed. Why is it I see not one of you asking why, as a group, you can't get a Lab back to being a Lab. It's all about your way or the highway and it's not about repairing anything. It's not about the dog, it's about you.

Read what you are wrtiting, all of you. You really should be ashamed of what YOU all have done to a beautiful breed of dog. It's all about yourselves and what YOU want, not what is right for the Breed. It's all negative vs doing the right thing.

I don't own labs, but have. I love all retrievers. The popularity of the Labs and Goldens has ruined 2 great breeds of dogs. All I'm asking is for is everyone to think hard about what they say. Save your BREED!!!!

Split the breed? Sure, that's what this Country has become, isn't it? The easy way out, that's what we are all about these days. Screw hard work, split the breed, that's way easier than fixing what is broken. Yeah, split it. That must be the right thing to do.............................

Wow. last time I post on this subject.

OMG Save the breed, the Labrador is history, ruined as a breed! Going down the same road as the Poodle as a working retriever!

With my dogs I see nothing that needs fixing or saved. This whole topic is as nuts as Democrat vs Republican. Everybody know Democrats are crazy