Field (Working) Type.... Show (Conformation) Type.... and Dual Purpose????
If you have been looking at different breeders with different types of bloodlines, you have probably seen many labs that all look differently and probably wondering what it means when some people say American (working) bred, some say English (show) bred and some say Dual Purpose. English is used widly with different breeders even if they aren't actual English lines so we call it English Type meaning that if comes from that conformation build. Different types of Labradors have different functions that might meet a families needs individually. Of course all labs are just wonderful, some types may be more for your family and what you are looking for.
Field (Working) Labradors:
These are the dogs that are bred for primarily working or a lot of activity. Very agile, smart and capable of learning at a fast pace. They tend to be smaller framed with longer legs, tail and nose. Some can be taller but still leggier. These dogs tend to definitely do better in an active family rather it be in a hunting scene, hiking or agility type of training. Their coats tend to be shorter. Their pedigrees you will find many working titles whether it be FC, JH, SH, MH and so forth. They do well as long as they are where they can be exercised daily and have plenty of room to run around.
Ex. of one of our working dogs' pedigrees
Show Type (English Built) Labradors:
These are the type that are shorter and stockier with the classic block head and otter tails. They have beautiful gaits and a very playful demeanor. They tend to be calmer for the average household but can lack that killer hunting and retrieving drive that the working type do have. They are larger in size and build. They do very well in any average household with moderate exercise to normal exercise. Their coats tend to be a little longer and thicker. Their pedigrees will be proven with CH, MBISS, MBIS, GCH and so forth.
Ex. of one of our strictly conformation bred pedigrees
| CH Tabatha's Adventure Score | CH Tabatha's Sport WC | CH DickendallDavaron Gable | CH Dickendall Arnold, JH |
| Wolvercote Gaity Girl | |||
| CH Tabatha's Giggle WC | Scent Trails Tug Of War | ||
| CH Tabatha's Dazzle WC | |||
| CH Tabatha's Tease WC | CH Banner's Muskelunge Buckeye | Banner's Wenwood Obleo Arrow | |
| Can CH Amblesides Banner Of Triple L | |||
| CH Tabatha's Token Truant, WC | Tabatha's Genuine Risk | ||
| Tabatha's Token WC | |||
| Centre Court's Deja Vu At Allura | CH Talimar's Trendsetter | CH Visions Cain's Mutiny | CH Sounder's Hear Me Roar |
| CH Kellygreens Amazing Grace | |||
| Talimar's Winter Ice | CH Hennings Mill Talimar Martin WC CGC | ||
| Hyspire's Winters Amaryllis | |||
| Centre Court Illusion | CH Rozzay Hunt Club Clayview Grady | CH Dickendall Davaron Gable | |
| Rozzy'z Lila Lovelorn | |||
| Centre Court Silhouette | CH Windfall Pipe Major | ||
| CH Centre Court Watermark Shelby |
Dual Purpose Labradors
This is the type that we strive to produce here. A dog with the classic build with blockier heads and shorter otter tails but still have the natural working drive that a Labrador should have for breed standard. It is a working progress in what the puppies will look like but we work on drive as well as conformation with each litter every year. The pedigrees will normally consist of several Champion type dogs along with Hunt Test titles as well. We call it Dual Purpose as the dogs have the proven pedigree to do well in the field and still carry the classic mild show temperament which makes them do very well in any type of household. Some will take on more of the looks of one than the other depending on the individual breeding but they still end up with the quickness to learn and very pleasing temperaments. We work on several generations of the pedigrees to try to get exactly what we are looking for.
Ex. of one of our Dual Purpose Bred pedigrees