Show line black lab breeders

[CakeJumper]

We will be in a position to get a puppy in the next couple of years as our youngest will be 7, so I’m doing this planning well in advance to ensure we have everything in place.

It will be our first family dog however I grew up with dogs my entire life and wouldn’t say I’m an inexperienced first time owner. That said, despite my hours of breed research I keep coming back to labs as the best family all-rounder and overall safe choice.

Bearing in mind this is for future planning (ie not an imminent purchase) can any of you wise-women of Doghouse recommend a starting-point for researching some breeders? I’d be keen to rescue but with children and a job (three days WFH) I don’t expect we’d meet the strict criteria required.

Based on our childhood dogs I’m keen for explore the chunky, heavy-headed show type black labs as they hold a special place in my heart. No reason other than nostalgia, so definitely open to other recommendations. I’d prefer show line to working line though I’m not sure there is a massive difference in UK lines, compared to the US.

We are Midlands-based but happy to travel.

I'd try to go to some labrador dog shows. It's a good way to meet breeders and to see which show lines appeal to you.
There are quite a few competitions in the Midlands area.

Agree with @SpanielsGalore. One man’s good breeder isn’t necessarily going to be yours. Even within show lines, the sort of dog you’ll get will vary massively.

I know show line Goldens (not the breed you’re after obviously) who only need 1-2hrs exercise a day and are very small (25kg). My own show lines are massive (35-40kg) and need 2hrs minimum a day and have high drive

Working type Labs with Drakeshead or Sandringham in the mix have broad heads. Don't go for trials breeding as they would make a difficult family pet. All mine have been working lines and all have had broad heads, especially the current boy. Dogs have broader heads than bitches, generally.

@CakeJumper If you’ve got time & as you’re Midlands based there is The National Dog Show held at Stafford Showground at the beginning of May - Gundog day is Saturday 8th to be exact. No cost for spectators to get in (if I remember right!) & it will give you the opportunity to
chat with various breeders without the pressure of somewhere like Crufts. But, make sure you go in the morning to catch the judging & the opportunity to speak to as many people as possible. Good puppy hunting!

I think i got our breeder via the kennel club approved breeder list. A coincidence that my sisters dog had come from the same line who had a lovely temperament. Ours was a cross between a show and working ( mum had win crufts agility). The breeder we used crossed between working and show for their temperament. It was Meadowmill in Sussex. The owner passed away a couple of years ago but if you get any with a Meadowmill line they are lovely dogs. Ours passed away recently age 15 1/2. You probably already know this but ask for hip scores of the parents and eye/elbow test results. Good luck!

Thanks so much everyone, some really good advice here. We’re still in the very early stages of planning and if there’s any doubt it’s not the right move for our family or for the potential dog, we won’t be doing it until the time is right 🙂