is there some truth in that some working labs lines there seems to be an element of nervousness and reactivity that has been accidentally bred in? Would like to hear people’s views? Thank you
I am no expert, so I'm sure someone else could chime in and give a better answer, but I haven't heard or read anything about working labs being more nervous/reactive. The main thing I read about the difference between working labs and English labs is that working labs are typically higher strung and have more energy, meaning they need more mental stimulation. Maybe they act up more if they are not properly stimulated? But each dog is it's own individual, so it really just depends on the dog you have, in my opinion.
Thank you, I guess there are some differences in the working lab in general but I’m just wandering about some lines in particular in the UK? I’m sure there are plenty of calm working dogs too but is there a general knowledge that some lines are highly strung and nervous?
I don't think highly strung and nervous, but I would say that some working lines (UK) are keen and sensitive. Aside from this, I keep seeing on here reference to "English labs" by our US friends. WHat does this mean? In the UK, we have two distinct types of labs; show line and working lines. The show lines tend to be heavier set, the working lines more athletic.
I read an article recently that Americans call the working labs American and show labs English. Maybe someone can enlighten us further. I have gone from a very calm friendly working black lab to an anxious much higher energy(why sit and catch a ball when you can jump 5 feet in the air to catch it at it’s highest point) working fox red lab. I thought there might be something in the breeding line for the colour!
So I had a behaviourist to see my 8 month old working lab as she is proving to have behaviours that I am struggling with, especially biting hard for attention and frustration . I have never struggled with a dog before and I have not always have had easy dogs. She suggested she is nervous and highly strung and may never loose all of her behaviours and that some working lines seem to be like this. I am gutted , we have some strategies to improve things but may always it seems have to support and manage her emotional regulation. It explains why I find her so challenging but I am now worried about how she will mature. Do we have any ideas what lines these seem to be ?
lol to be honest I didn't even know if I should have used the term "English" Lab. Figured it may cause confusion. The articles I have read refer to them as American Labs (working lines) and English Labs (show lines). Don't know why it's different here, but I'm just going by what I read. Oh, and yea, I'm American lol.
This is an interesting thread. I have had 5 dogs. 3 Newfs, a Malamute and now Meg. Meg is different to them all. Meg is from working dogs with many FtCh in her heritage. As a pup and teenager she had all the behaviours I see regularly mentioned on here. I particularly found approx 7 to 9 months challenging. However, with love, patience and training she is the best family dog you could ever wish for. She is intelligent, keen to please, loyal, steady, resilient to change and noise. You could not ask or wish for more. My only regret is that I did not breed just one pup from her ( I know, impossible) I would have loved to have had her daughter.
Thank you Edp, you have given me hope as I am worried about her future and felt she might be something of a lost cause. No one has a crystal ball I know but we are trying so hard to get things right. She may indeed be nervous/anxious/ highly strung all her life but I hope not. I have been to another training class this evening, which was great as we were all working on different goals with our dogs. The trainer fine tuned my skills and also reassured me that Gwenni is definitely not the worst she has had but in fact more typical of the breed. This is tough as people are encouraging us to rehome her, smack her ( I would never), giving us differing advise and some people are avoiding her. I just don’t want to fail her and feel like I’m turning her into a dog with an unsure future. Going to keep supporting her and work through things, all of things we and she find difficult. Sorry to go on but I have felt so sad for her.
Thank goodness I am not the only one struggling. I have a red fox lab who is 20 weeks. He (Ed) bites very hard too I met with a behaviourist and she advised me to make sure he went into his crate for a test every morning. I thought he was bored when he was biting me, but he was really tired. Since he has been having these naps and following other advice o eas give , Ed I'd 90% better. He does have his off days but they ate few and far between Your pup will improve with time. It is hard when they can have so little exercise. We go to puppy training classes and I train him at home but Ed gets bored very quickly. I dont want to wish his life away but it will be great when he can do agility and go to scurries. Xx
Roll on growing up I say Ian can’t wait until I have a sensible dog! She had a great session in a class the other might with very helpful trainer. Going to do scent work classes with her too next month anything to tire her out!!!
You will love scent training. Great fun to see them working and easy to practise indoors on a rainy day.
The AKC Standard for Labs is an 1" taller than the English, partly reflecting that the American dogs tend to be breed more toward the Field appearance. Consequently American Lab owners do often refer to them as American or English style. In general Field style dogs are more athletic, and perhaps more excitable. Some folks think they are easier to train, though most labs are relatively easy to train. It's a retriever thing.
Hello I'm Suzie I have a fox red lab one year old I've had a terrible. Time bringing him up from 8 weeks old nearly re homed him twice.the last 3 weeks he has calmed down . Wondering if it had anything to do with his food .he has elbow dysplasia and vet changed his food and put him on a diet (expensive) he's still a bit boisterous but what a difference from the last ten month. So loving and lovable hang in there
