Hi Friends! We may be adopting a labrador from a rescue near us. I am wondering, do you think she is a field lab? show lab? or a mix with a lab? She seems like a great fit for our family...which is all that matters...but I am curious What do you think?
Hello there, It is very difficult to say based on those photos. My best guess is that she is a Labrador bred from lines aimed at the pet dog market, and in the main from show lines. It is wonderful to hear that she is a good match with your family, and I wish you many happy and loving years together.
Well, she has the sweetest kind face, and a lovely tail, and I hope you are very happy together. Parts of her head remind me of some US field line Labs I've seen, and other bits and parts of her body show line. You might want her a bit thiner when she comes to live with you, so that might change the way she looks too. But if she is the right dog for you, then as you say, it doesn't matter anyway. Her toenails need a trim...you probably know that already.
Aw , she looks lovely , and to me, she looks show lines . Her teats look a little pronounced , has she had pups recently ? I agree with Julie , she could do with losing a little weight, nice and slowly of course , I hope it works well for you Meg , a lovely looking girl .
From my experience (which is not a lot) she is not field. My girl Molly does come from predominantly field lines and is altogether much lighter built and rangier. It is interesting to speculate about their origins, but once they become part of your family they just become "your dog" and where they came from no longer matters.
I don't think a dog really has to be either show line (eg from a breeder attempting to breed show winners) or field lines (eg from a breeder attempting to breed field trial winners). A lot of Labradors are simply bred as pets - so there is no attempt to breed for a certain conformation, or certain working abilities. It very well may be the case that this lovely girl is just that. She has the sweetest face, and looks like she has lots of love to give, and what could be nicer than that?
Doesn't she have a sweet face?? I can't wait to meet her. Yes, I noticed her nails and that she needs to drop a few pounds. She is supposedly VERY mellow (which is perfect for us lol), so I'll have to try to get both of us out there walking. We've had a few dogs in mind that have fell through for one reason or another. This one looks promising though. Most of the dogs I find get taken before I get to them
The previous owners say that she had one litter but it was a few years ago...? Thanks for the well wishes!
I suppose she could be half field and half show.... Agreed Molly! It wont matter at all their origin once they are part of the family
I think she was mostly an outdoor dog (which can be tough in the heat of Arizona). She lived with a lot of other dogs. I'm not sure she got a lot of lovin'...she's housebroken and gets along with the dogs in her foster home. But she's just starting to use chew toys and doesn't play with other toys. I'm praying she gets along with out cats (please!). *crosses fingers*
Thanks Naya. I just heard from her foster and she said she has started chewing on toy bones and played tug of war with her last night. Before that she hasn't showed much interest in toys or chew toys! YAY!
She looks a lovely girl so whether show or field lines of no real importance as temperament is more important. I'm sure she will get along with your cats. I've got 2 Abyssinians and they were not impressed when Juno was introduced into the household. With time and patience they all now get along - they might not be best buddies but theirs no problems either. The important thing to remember is that the cats have an escape route and a safe place from the dog until they all get used to each other. You might have to find a new spot for the cat food as well
Yes temperment is more important for sure. I think she will be ok with our cats because she is mellow and she lived with chickens lol - you never know but im keeping my fingers crossed xx
Not necessarily the dog that's the problem but the cats accepting the new family member. I sprayed a lot of Feliway around for around 10 days and all seemed to settle down, I'm sure Juno going to chase the cats didn't help too much but there's nothing she likes more then to give them a quick lick in passing
I don't think she's got a field background. I agree with JulieT that her breeding has been aimed at the pet market. She hasn't come from somewhere where they were breeding to show. But it doesn't matter She looks like a friendly, happy girl and I totally agree that temperament is Number 1!!! I hope you're a perfect match
