Labrador body shape

[treetree 0]

Hello all,

I'm planning on getting a labrador in the near future. I'm after a jack of all trades, as I'm a novice at most things so the dog and I will muddle through learning together.

 

Decided on a labrador, but slightly confused about their breeding. I'm after an athletic, slender type dog who can follow me on runs and long hikes, but keep seeing these chunky, tank like dogs out and about. Is this body shape down to lack of decent exercise, or is this genetic (the 'chunky pups' you see advertised).

 

Either way, what's the best way of ensuring I get an athletic, slighter dog.

 

Thank you for any information,

 

TT

[bird 9,594]

i thought same somtimes, have seen racey types at shoots, and heavier set types there as well . Maybe its differnt lines of labs, both types seem to work flat out,? but i like the more racey type my self. May be lab people might know about this post .!

[Clare 33]

its down to lines you find dogs with Drakeshead in are more lean atheltic types

[rob190364 2,593]

its down to lines you find dogs with Drakeshead in are more lean atheltic types

have you got any side profile pics of that type of dog? presume that's what you've got?

[Clare 33]

its down to lines you find dogs with Drakeshead in are more lean atheltic types

have you got any side profile pics of that type of dog? presume that's what you've got?

 

yup heres a few past and present

this was my old boy he was 12 in this picture sadly lost him a few months later

 

and some others

[blackdug 90]

as said already in my eyes dogs with drakeshead in them .....

[Dave C 63]

Mine is a small athletic type who hunts hard and her small size helps her getting into cover.

 

Fern at a year

 

She is now 3 years

 

She has alot of trialing lines in her pedigree, which alot of them are breeding smaller and fast.

Edited April 29, 2012 by Dave C

[2.8 guy 403]

DAVE, hi that bitch you have is a fantastic shape ive only seen 2 dogs before of this type, the owners of a grouse moor had one and my mate who owns a gun shop both dogs are not drakeshead, but knowing the back ground to both owners there dogs will be well bred and out of quality lines, maybe ill pluck up the courage one day to ask

[parrots2 54]

ive got a drakeshead bitch the very shape your looking for, think its down to the trails and speed needed in competition why there bred this way .one thing i know there very good to train .will get pick up later .

[parrots2 54]

hers my drakeshead bitch shes 10 month now

[bird 9,594]

Mine is a small athletic type who hunts hard and her small size helps her getting into cover.

 

Fern at a year

 

She is now 3 years

 

She has alot of trialing lines in her pedigree, which alot of them are breeding smaller and fast.

 

nice bitch that fit+ strong looking , thats the type i like (but) not to heavy

[Rory4 267]

theres loads of fat round labs at my local shoot, but bloke with best picking up dogs there works 3 labs all picking up at same time and there real nice racy type!

[Rory4 267]

nice type that dave

[remi700 99]

Depends alot on the age of the dog aswell. My last bitch stayed in great shape winter and summer didn't matter what I fed her. Then when she got to about 6 she started to put on weight in the summer, didn't matter how little food she got she stayed in the same shape. Even when she had the weight on it didn't stop her workin! 15-20 water retrieves at ducks and geese no bother.

[treetree 0]

Some great looking dogs, I certainly know what I'll be looking out for now.

Many thanks for your replies.

TT