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1. How big do Labs get?
Labs range in size. The official breed standards states that they should weigh 55-75 pounds. In reality, there
are Labs anywhere from 50-110 pounds! We try to keep our Labs within standard and our ideal is a 55
pound female and 60 pound male. Read the official Canadian Labrador Retriever breed standard for more
information.
2. What are the different 'types' of Labs?
There are two basic 'types' of Labs that you will see from reputable breeders. These are the show ring type
Labs (commonly called "English" Labs) and the field trial type (also called "American" Labs). It is very
unusual these days for a Lab to be competitive in both the show ring and the field, and so the breed has split
into these two unofficial types. The English show type dogs are typically heavier set, with bigger, blockier
heads and the American field type are leggy, lean and athletic. Our labs are the "American" type and
descend directly from the most notable Field Trial Champion dogs of all time. We do NOT raise any show
type Labs, nor do we compete in conformation events.
2. I have heard that American Labradors (Field-trial type Labs) are hyper. Is this true?
For the most part, this is not the case. Being athletic and fast does not equate to being hyper. Think
about it this way: a dog who hunts (or competes in hunting -type scenarios) must sit calmly in a blind,
often for hours, before retrieving a few birds. If they are hyper or noisy, they will scare the birds away -
that wouldn't go over well with the human hunter now would it! At the end of a hunt, they go home where
they usually double as the family pet. A hyper dog would not make a good hunting partner, competition
dog, nor would they make very good house pets. In general, most field-bred dogs have pretty quiet
dispositions during their down time, but they do require daily bursts of vigorous exercise to keep them fit
and feeling useful. Of course, you should get a feel for what the parent dogs are like- calm, steady
parent dogs usually produce calm, steady puppies. Beware that Labs are known for their outgoing,
boisterous personalities, so a very animated greeting is the norm regardless of the dogs actual energy level.
And is the case with any breed of dogs, some dogs just ARE hyper, regardless of what 'type' they are. If you
don't want a hyper puppy, avoid a breeder with hyperactive adult dogs.
3. I see some Labs advertised as "High Drive". What does this mean?
A high drive dog is a dog who acts with great desire. In the retriever world, a high drive dog would be one
who LOVES to fetch birds and will go through anything to find the bird. In comparison, a lower drive dog
might like to fetch a bird that is easy to find, but will balk if the bird happens to land in cold water, long
grass, or on the other side of a prickly bush. For a high drive dog, the retrieve is his goal and he will do
anything to get it done!
Drive often transfers from one venue to the next. For example, a high-drive retriever with proper training
would also make a high drive agility dog, search and rescue, or detection dog - you can use his or her
retrieving drive to increase his desire to perform almost any task. High drive dogs make fine pets
because they are easy to train and motivate - but they do need regular training to give their desires an outlet
and to keep them from getting bored.
4. How can two black Labs produce puppies who are yellow or chocolate?
Visit our Coat Color Genetics page for all the information you could ever want about how coat color is
inherited!
5. I've seen some Lab puppies with blue eyes. How does this happen?
All puppies, like all human babies, are born with bluish eyes. However, purebred Lab puppies will not keep
this blue color - Labs always have brown eyes. The shade of brown will very from very dark to lighter brown
(almost yellow color), but their eyes will definitely not stay blue.
7. What are Silver Labs - are they for real?
A detailed discussion of silver labs can be found on our Coat Color Genetics page 3. In brief, Silver Labs
are an off-colored Lab whose origins are questionable. They can not be shown because they do not
adhere to the breed standard and should not be bred. You should not have to pay a premium price for
any mis-marked or odd-colored labrador, even if it comes with papers - they are not rare nor more
valuable although unscrupulous breeders would have you think otherwise. A silver lab might make a
good pet but be sure the breeder you get it from is honest and offers you a discounted price due to it's
miscoloration. You should expect any silver lab to be sold on a spay or neuter contract.
This is also the case for charcoal labs, or other discoloration patterns (brindle, patches, etc). The only
accepted colors of Labs are "Black", "Yellow" and "Chocolate".
7. What are Fox-Red Labs?
Fox-red Labs are yellow labs who happen to come in the darkest version of the shade. Some appear
quite reddish in color, but they are still genetically yellow and will be registered as such. Fox-red Labs have
always existed but back in the old days we just called them dark yellow. Also note that 'creme, white, and
champagne are also just normal, yellow labs with variations in the shade of the actual coloring. All shades of
yellow should have dark pigmentation, and none of these variations are especially rare. The terms used to
market these different shades are just that- marketing descriptions- and you should know that your yellow
puppy's fur color may lighten or darken as he or she ages.
8. What color Labs are easiest to train? I've heard that chocolates are crazy!
Color does not affect a dogs trainability. However, poor breeding does. Chocolate Labs have a reputation for
being crazy, stubborn, and all sorts of other things.... this is because they are a popular target for backyard
breeders looking to cash-in on the popularity of the color, not because there is any specific 'link' between
brown and bonkers!
Chocolate Labs from a good working dog breeding program are a real treasure and are just as easy to train
and live with as yellows and blacks. They are just a bit harder to find, that's all! We get compliments all of the
time on Nestle's temperament, structure, and working ability - we are working hard so that Nestle and her
descendants can help change the reputation of Chocolate Labs everywhere!
9. Are Labs hypoallergenic? Do they shed a lot?
Labs are NOT hypoallergenic. They do shed quite a bit but the shedding can be managed through proper
grooming, good nutrition, and the actual quantity of fur that is shed will depend on the living arrangements of
the dog. Labs kept indoors tend to shed a little bit almost continuously. Labs who spend most of their time
outside will shed profusely in the spring and fall. Regular grooming with a deshedding tool such as the Pet
Perfect brush will cut down on shedding by an unbelievable amount (see our resources page for buying
information). Feeding a well-balanced diet will also improve the coat condition and reduce shedding.
Labs range in size. The official breed standards states that they should weigh 55-75 pounds. In reality, there
are Labs anywhere from 50-110 pounds! We try to keep our Labs within standard and our ideal is a 55
pound female and 60 pound male. Read the official Canadian Labrador Retriever breed standard for more
information.
2. What are the different 'types' of Labs?
There are two basic 'types' of Labs that you will see from reputable breeders. These are the show ring type
Labs (commonly called "English" Labs) and the field trial type (also called "American" Labs). It is very
unusual these days for a Lab to be competitive in both the show ring and the field, and so the breed has split
into these two unofficial types. The English show type dogs are typically heavier set, with bigger, blockier
heads and the American field type are leggy, lean and athletic. Our labs are the "American" type and
descend directly from the most notable Field Trial Champion dogs of all time. We do NOT raise any show
type Labs, nor do we compete in conformation events.
2. I have heard that American Labradors (Field-trial type Labs) are hyper. Is this true?
For the most part, this is not the case. Being athletic and fast does not equate to being hyper. Think
about it this way: a dog who hunts (or competes in hunting -type scenarios) must sit calmly in a blind,
often for hours, before retrieving a few birds. If they are hyper or noisy, they will scare the birds away -
that wouldn't go over well with the human hunter now would it! At the end of a hunt, they go home where
they usually double as the family pet. A hyper dog would not make a good hunting partner, competition
dog, nor would they make very good house pets. In general, most field-bred dogs have pretty quiet
dispositions during their down time, but they do require daily bursts of vigorous exercise to keep them fit
and feeling useful. Of course, you should get a feel for what the parent dogs are like- calm, steady
parent dogs usually produce calm, steady puppies. Beware that Labs are known for their outgoing,
boisterous personalities, so a very animated greeting is the norm regardless of the dogs actual energy level.
And is the case with any breed of dogs, some dogs just ARE hyper, regardless of what 'type' they are. If you
don't want a hyper puppy, avoid a breeder with hyperactive adult dogs.
3. I see some Labs advertised as "High Drive". What does this mean?
A high drive dog is a dog who acts with great desire. In the retriever world, a high drive dog would be one
who LOVES to fetch birds and will go through anything to find the bird. In comparison, a lower drive dog
might like to fetch a bird that is easy to find, but will balk if the bird happens to land in cold water, long
grass, or on the other side of a prickly bush. For a high drive dog, the retrieve is his goal and he will do
anything to get it done!
Drive often transfers from one venue to the next. For example, a high-drive retriever with proper training
would also make a high drive agility dog, search and rescue, or detection dog - you can use his or her
retrieving drive to increase his desire to perform almost any task. High drive dogs make fine pets
because they are easy to train and motivate - but they do need regular training to give their desires an outlet
and to keep them from getting bored.
4. How can two black Labs produce puppies who are yellow or chocolate?
Visit our Coat Color Genetics page for all the information you could ever want about how coat color is
inherited!
5. I've seen some Lab puppies with blue eyes. How does this happen?
All puppies, like all human babies, are born with bluish eyes. However, purebred Lab puppies will not keep
this blue color - Labs always have brown eyes. The shade of brown will very from very dark to lighter brown
(almost yellow color), but their eyes will definitely not stay blue.
7. What are Silver Labs - are they for real?
A detailed discussion of silver labs can be found on our Coat Color Genetics page 3. In brief, Silver Labs
are an off-colored Lab whose origins are questionable. They can not be shown because they do not
adhere to the breed standard and should not be bred. You should not have to pay a premium price for
any mis-marked or odd-colored labrador, even if it comes with papers - they are not rare nor more
valuable although unscrupulous breeders would have you think otherwise. A silver lab might make a
good pet but be sure the breeder you get it from is honest and offers you a discounted price due to it's
miscoloration. You should expect any silver lab to be sold on a spay or neuter contract.
This is also the case for charcoal labs, or other discoloration patterns (brindle, patches, etc). The only
accepted colors of Labs are "Black", "Yellow" and "Chocolate".
7. What are Fox-Red Labs?
Fox-red Labs are yellow labs who happen to come in the darkest version of the shade. Some appear
quite reddish in color, but they are still genetically yellow and will be registered as such. Fox-red Labs have
always existed but back in the old days we just called them dark yellow. Also note that 'creme, white, and
champagne are also just normal, yellow labs with variations in the shade of the actual coloring. All shades of
yellow should have dark pigmentation, and none of these variations are especially rare. The terms used to
market these different shades are just that- marketing descriptions- and you should know that your yellow
puppy's fur color may lighten or darken as he or she ages.
8. What color Labs are easiest to train? I've heard that chocolates are crazy!
Color does not affect a dogs trainability. However, poor breeding does. Chocolate Labs have a reputation for
being crazy, stubborn, and all sorts of other things.... this is because they are a popular target for backyard
breeders looking to cash-in on the popularity of the color, not because there is any specific 'link' between
brown and bonkers!
Chocolate Labs from a good working dog breeding program are a real treasure and are just as easy to train
and live with as yellows and blacks. They are just a bit harder to find, that's all! We get compliments all of the
time on Nestle's temperament, structure, and working ability - we are working hard so that Nestle and her
descendants can help change the reputation of Chocolate Labs everywhere!
9. Are Labs hypoallergenic? Do they shed a lot?
Labs are NOT hypoallergenic. They do shed quite a bit but the shedding can be managed through proper
grooming, good nutrition, and the actual quantity of fur that is shed will depend on the living arrangements of
the dog. Labs kept indoors tend to shed a little bit almost continuously. Labs who spend most of their time
outside will shed profusely in the spring and fall. Regular grooming with a deshedding tool such as the Pet
Perfect brush will cut down on shedding by an unbelievable amount (see our resources page for buying
information). Feeding a well-balanced diet will also improve the coat condition and reduce shedding.
| Frequently Asked Questions about Labrador Retrievers |
