Concerns over early neutering and conformation?

It's always much nicer to post pictures of dogs in the show ring that look good though - if we only post the bad pictures, it's too depressing. Here is Betsy's grandfather in the ring.

RR by julieandcharlie julieandcharlie, on Flickr

My boy weighs 29kgs (I think that's just over 60lbs) at 22.25 inches. My girl weighs 21kgs at 20.5 inches (she is only 7 months, so I do hope she grows a bit more) - that would be about 45lbs.

 

Betsy's gramps is lovely. Very moderate. His tail looks amazing

Sounds like Betsy might make breed standard height after all. Come on Betsy, you can do it!

 

I have two Show bred labradors, both Carpenny dogs, one is a rescue (Casper) almost 8 years old, the other is 3. Casper weighs 33.5kg (72lbs) he is a heavy set dog, his uncle was Carpenny Walpole, well known in show circles.

Benson the younger dog also Carpenny is 30kgs, both are just a fraction under 22.5 inches in height, so not tall dogs. I do struggle to keep weight off the older dog, who was neutered at 5 years old (shelter policy) Casper does though have lovely conformation and muscle. He does have slight HD in one hip, and AS of the back. The vet does think though that this is linked to trauma. When he came to us he was in poor condition.

Benson (3) is not neutered, has had hips/elbows Xrayed. The comment by the vet was that a hip score would come back as almost perfect, importantly though he has laid down good quality bone and muscle as he developed. This is due part to genetics but also to diet and a sensible exercise regime as he developed.

 

I must admit, I didn't think Betsy was particularly small when I saw her

 

I agree. What a handsome boy! Is he a fox red or dark yellow? Looks fox red to me but over here a lot of people classify dark yellow as fox red. I love his expression and his tail. I wish my boy had a lovely otter tail, but no such luck (the shape and lay of the hair is correct but it is much too long and thin!). Oh well, I love him all the same.

Personally, I think a beautiful example of the breed was CH Shamrock Acres Light Brigade (if you're talking American standard, which allows for taller dogs).
http://www.kerrybrook.com/images/legends/ch_shamrock_acres_light_brigade.jpg
"Briggs" was a pretty impressive boy and sired 93 champions.

Here's one of his descendants, CH Franklin's Pickpocket for Kerrybrook MH "Pete".
http://www.kerrybrook.com/images/pete/pete_win_fortstueben_1997.jpg
http://www.kerrybrook.com/images/pete/pete_2000_national.jpg
Pete also proved to be a great sire in his time.

I would like to see more moderate dogs like these who are obviously still capable of field work, hence Pete's MH title, instead of:


@Beanwood - Can you post pictures of your boys? I would love to see!

 

@Teller's mom this is Casper...

CAS - now casper adopted oct 2014 by Kate Hart, on Flickr

Benson..

BENSON july 22nd 15 by Kate Hart, on Flickr

 

Oh thanks! That's good. She seems such a titch to me. Her breeder just says it's because she is stood next to Charlie, and he's a boy! And supposed to be bigger. Charlie was much bigger at 7.5 months, I think. Although perhaps only about 4kgs heavier, which could just be the boy/girl thing (being optimistic!).

 

Is that a cross with a Bassett?! Here in South Africa short-legged Labs were popular. Not sure anymore - am no longer at the dog school that sneered at "leggy" Labs. The Labs I see in my area are all normal looking.

 

What a beaut.

 

I just thought I would ask something on here -

Rolo is a show bred lab, here is a picture of his Dad - Very elegant (in my uneducated opinion)


Here is a screenshot of Rolos Sibling (there are two on the video who look virtually identical)



And I think Rolo is a lot slighter and less chunky than these pups? Does anyone have any comments, I know the pics of Rolo arent in the same stance, but his back end is much more visible than theirs.



Oh and the pups are the same age as Rolo on the pics!

 

I know nothing about conformation really, I can see faults in my three...Benson has a slight slope to his back, Bramble is too tall and straight legged..although that is changing now she is filling out. Rolo though, to my eye looks pretty perfect! A really gorgeous boy with a good turn of stifle and level topline

 

@Beanwood - Both great looking dogs! I've actually never seen such great looking chocolates before coming on the forum. They a fairly popular color here and most of the ones I see are odd looking. It's hard to explain but I've seen a handful that are cow hocked and more that looked like GSPs and even one with a tail that curved over her back.

Hahaha, for fun here is an actual lab/basset cross:



Not much difference in leg length, lol.

 

Rolo's underlying build is very similar to that of his father and sibling. The photo of his father is of a young dog, so he very well may look heavier than that as he got older.

Rolo looks good. Keep him very fit and very slim, and you'll have a smashing looking adult dog.

 

Lol, for obvious reasons (like my boy having the rear of a greyhound haha) I don't do conformation. How old is Rolo's father in that pic? He looks rather young in the face, not that it matters he's a great looking yellow fellow! It's hard to tell without the same angle but Rolo looks about the same size as that other pup and even if the other nugget is chunkier, there's no guarantee your boy won't grow up to be just as well-built as dad. Both of the pups' tails are a smidge too long as the standard calls for a tail that is no longer than the hocks (but it could just be how Rolo is standing). He has a very nice head and slope to pastern and a beautiful color! He's a real cutie.