[RemsBPJasper]

Ok, so I read up on the LRC standard and read all the proportions and such. I measured my guy and here are my best measurements being I'm not 100% where the point of the rump and point of the shoulder are exactly. I know he's not going in the show ring, I'm just interested in correct structure. He is only 11 months but I don't think he's going to grow much more (I think that's more a result of the disease however). He weighs 60lbs.

Here are the measurements:

pt. rump to pt. shoulder = 20-20.5"
height at withers = 21-21.5"
elbow to ground = 11"

Here are some standing pictures. They are the best I have although he's slightly bent because his head is turned trying to look at me in some of them.

Here's a few "head shots." They're not great but they're the most recent. The one laying down makes him look like a whale the way he's laying but he's not fat lol.

From November...

How does tail look as far as being "otter?" His tail doesn't appear to go beyong the hock. And I know his head is narrow and long and doesn't have a good "stop." And his bone isn't thick at all. But what else am I missing?? Just trying to educate myself.

Thanks!!

Kourtney

 

[tmfrt]

with what little I do know about conformation, I would say he appears to be a little high in the rear in the last pic, but that may be the way he is standing. Looks as if his rear legs should be pulled back father and not tucked under the body so much. Ears, I've been told, you check by bringing together and the tips should touch the corner of the eyes near the nose. Sorry that's all I got And I could be totally wrong.

He's still a good looking boy regardless-

 

[RemsBPJasper]

Thanks! Yeah I was more worried about him standing still and straight than placing his rear legs. I have checked his ears, they seem right, they touch the insides of his eyes. I appreciate the comments, I really do! And thanks, I think he's a cutie too hehe. Maybe tomorrow with more of my free time I'll try to get him to stand right lol.

Thanks again,
Kourtney

 

[Old School Labs]

He has grown to be a good looking dog Kourtney. Hope he continues to progrees after all you two have gone through. Casey is also grown alot, and Mark Edwards says at 9 1/2 months she is the biggest female on his truck.

Mark

 

[Purpledawg]

He needs to have some incentive Mom, bake him up some garlic liver on the rare side. Then he'll be happy to play show dog games!

When you stack him, try to get him to be 4 corners square. He looks high in the rear because he has a long turn of stifle. With the liver he may free stack naturally and you will get him to lean into his front and extend his back legs. If not to see how well endowed he is in stifle. grasp his muzzle with one hand and run your other one down the length of his back to the rear leg, and gentlely grasping his hock, extend the rear leg out. You will still want the hock to be perpendicular to the floor. Now that you have one leg back there, switch hands on his muzzle and do the same thing on the other side. step back snap the photo and admire his conformation, don't forget to slip him the liver so he will admire you!
For his wither measurement, its from the top of his shoulder to the floor.
At the base of his neck you will be able to feel a space between his 2 shoulder blades, this is the point where a wicket would ride, on down to the floor. Drop your tape from here, he must be standing to get a correct reading. bring lots of liver, soft bait, to play this game!
have fun! and post a photo using this method, you're gonna be surprized with the before and after shots.
P dawg out.

 

[Purpledawg]

tail should come right off straight off his back. He has correct lab coat with a nice wave, and I bet its a double coat too. Expression, "pleasing to the eye" is what the standard says and he has that too. and I bet he will retrieve more that liver too.

Nice pup.

 

[Guest]

He is still a puppy and looks like a puppy. I've seen a lot of change in my own Lab from when he was 11 months old to almost 2 years old now, which is typical for Labs. I bet your pup will continue to change as he matures.

To me, he looks a bit out of balance; too heavy in the front half. He should even out as he matures. It looks like he has a nice front with a nice head. It's hard to see his neck; you should try to do the photos without the leash next time.

He is high in the rear, almost a roach. It will probably get somewhat better as he matures, but probably won't go away completely. He's too under himself; you need to let him stand in a more natural pose with his rear legs stretched out a bit (let him take one step forward). I am no expert, but he looks fine (won't make it in the show ring, but you said you're not interested in that). Very cute face!

 

[RemsBPJasper]

Mark - glad to hear Casey is doing well! Where's she at now with training?

Purpledawg - thanks for the advice! I'll try the treats next time and try to get him in the proper position. I think I measured right from the withers then, I'll double check it.

Juris - yes I do expect some change as he grows, hopefully filling out a little. I just don't know how much more he will grow in height simply because of his disease and how it affects calcium and phosphorus. But I don't know. I see what you mean about being heavy up front.

I'll play around with him a little more and see if I can get a good stance for some more pictures. Thanks everyone for the advice and comments!

Kourtney

 

[Franco]

To me, he looks a bit out of balance; too heavy in the front half. He should even out as he matures.

When evaluating working dogs, one has to consider the larger chest is due to a larger lung capacity. Much like Olympic swimmers, large chest with smaller waist. Placid dogs or humans, barrel chest all the way to the waist.

Looks good from the photo, my only concern would be the way he carries his tail, can't tell if he carries it straight or gay. The correct tail finishes a dog nicely.

 

[Julie R.]

OK what do you guys think about this one? :shock:

Kourtney he might not win any show prizes but he's very cute and looks like he can do the job he was bred for--unlike this champion.

 

[FOM]

He has grown to be a good looking dog Kourtney. Hope he continues to progrees after all you two have gone through. Casey is also grown alot, and Mark Edwards says at 9 1/2 months she is the biggest female on his truck.

Mark

She is the biggest by far! Good lookin to boot....

Lainee, Flash and Bullet

 

[MaLabhuntr]

OK what do you guys think about this one? :shock:

Kourtney he might not win any show prizes but he's very cute and looks like he can do the job he was bred for--unlike this champion.

That dog probably wouldn't look so bad if he wasn't 20 lbs overweight and actually had muscle tone

 

[lucas]

Hi Kourtney, nice looking young boy you got there. Is there a regional Lab club near you? You should take him to a Conformation Certificate event. I'll bet he would pass!

He's still got some filling out to do, and they have to be one year old to get a CC.

enjoy him!

 

[flywaylabs]

I run conformation Labs, in HT, agility, obedience and upland/waterfowl hunting.

When we are showing there is a bit more weight, they ARE in tone and they able go to work even in show condition.

Labs are a wonderful breed. Most dogs don't do "cross over" work for several reasons, lack of time, resourses and interest of the owner. True some of the lines have been bred for higher action dogs, a trait not true to the lab standard as defined by AKC, "tractable". But don't blame the breed but the breeders. The same applies to the structure and bone.

I have a "field" lab who I need to tell folks that she is not a mutt but a lab with breeding for drive but not "looks'. A sad state of affairs when a lab doesn't even look like a lab.

There are many kennels out there who do both with most of thier dogs. Two that come to mind are High Voltage and Captain's, both happen to be in MN.

Kris