Re: Labrador snobbery The direction that this thread is taking has made me think that, perhaps, the breed standard should be changed. Perhaps a conformant Labrador should be muddy and boisterous, and exhude an odour that reminds the judge of something slightly insanitary. It should forget all training in the presence of food and have a keenly developed sense of mischief. That should make dog shows a bit more interesting
Re: Labrador snobbery If there is a kitchen counter surfing competition going we're in with a shot at the crown, I reckon.
Re: Labrador snobbery Oh yes Penny would be a winner. She came home the other day in fancy dress as a chocolate lab!
Re: Labrador snobbery [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=6821.msg92967#msg92967 date=1404389750] Oh yes Penny would be a winner. She came home the other day in fancy dress as a chocolate lab! [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: Labrador snobbery The only things that truly matter about a dog (I think) are its health and temperament, in conjunction with the training and socialization it has received. If that dog has any particular aspects especial to its breed, such as an inclination to herding, or to retrieving, then that's an added benefit. If it is also a beautiful dog, then that is a complete bonus! I love the look of breed-true labs (as long as they are not overweight). I love the chunkiness of the body and depth of the chest, the otter tail, the broad head, the gentle eyes... But it worries me a bit that people can put so much store by these physical attributes that we humans explicitly breed for. What we really should be looking for in a Labrador (going out on a limb here..) is a gentle dog, eager to please, intelligent, active, keen to learn and please his owner, that ideally loves to retrieve. Of course I have been seduced over to the working line with my Poppy. I truly think she is just beautiful (though I accept that some would find her nose too pointy and her tail too thin). But she would work for me until she collapsed from exhaustion, and would follow me anywhere. That kind of trust and devoted companionship brings tears to my eyes. Do show-ring owners have the same kind of intense relationship and understanding with their dogs? In their own way I expect they do, and I am sure they love their dogs and are intensely proud of them. But there could never be an excuse for the kind of backbiting that you described at what was supposed to be a fun event! I hope you had a great day anyway. One thing I would LOVE to learn properly is how to get Poppy to stand right for judging. She's not keen at all! I'll have to start another thread to ask for tips.
Re: Labrador snobbery Karen, if you are out on a limb I am right there beside you. I bought Molly for her calm good nature (eventually I pray). We've got the good nature and the intelligence to learn. The calm will come later, though I spend lots of time working on the calm. She is a working line girl and thus quite lightweight. I think she is a handsome hound, though others will disagree. So be it. I'm happy. Molly is happy. Enough said.
Re: Labrador snobbery Lady - Too small,too pointy nose, mostly polite, mostly eager to please, mostly obedient, smelly. My dog and I love her to bits!
Re: Labrador snobbery [quote author=David link=topic=6821.msg94638#msg94638 date=1405266010] Lady - Too small,too pointy nose, mostly polite, mostly eager to please, mostly obedient, smelly. My dog and I love her to bits! [/quote] Perfect x
Re: Labrador snobbery And rightly so David Sam , wonderful temperament , gentle as a lamb, but much too tall, legs too long , ears too long, but well loved, just the way he is , as for Millie ..............................
Re: Labrador snobbery Penny - totally neurotic and has an obsessive personality. Slightly out of proportion with ears that don't sit quite right... Faithful, loving, willing to please, my companion.
