Show or working Labrador?

[Sunflower07]

Hi,

I am thinking of getting a Labrador either later this year or next spring. I have relatives who have had the field/working type in the past. I don’t know anybody who has had the show type or both types to compare.

I have read conflicting info. Some people say there are big differences in temperament and energy levels, and some people same there isn’t, and any differences are more due to personality rather than the breed lineage.

I am speaking to some different breeders but was wondering if anybody has experience of both types who could give me any advice please on the differences and which may be best.

The dog would be walked for about an hour a day off lead, and then a shorter 30 minute walk. I have a big garden for in between walks, and I would like to do agility with them (mainly for fun rather than competition). I have another dog who is very playful (a cockapoo) and loves sniffy games and retrieving toys etc.

I don’t think an hour and 30 minutes is enough for any Labrador , it’s hardly any time fir a medium breed. If you’re working then it’s probably not the breed for you.

My next door neighbours have show labs, they are fantastic loving dogs, a couple of friends have working labs, very different imho, the show labs in my limited experience are just much friendlier dogs.

I’d go working as that’s what I’ve always had Be very careful about selecting a breeder as you really want someone who is continuing their line and not a big breeder. Lab pups personality is apparent at about 6 weeks so a breeder shouldn’t be allocating pups before then as some are obviously going to want to work and the odd ones it clear they wouldn’t work at all!

Can’t say I’ve noticed much difference temperament wise tbh. They are all bulldozers and full of hyper energy until 3 then seem to rapidly calm down. Very trainable though and that’s important because they are super strong dogs on a lead. Agility is a good idea and I would say a working linage have the edge when it comes to thinking for themselves but really both would be keen to work with you and enjoy Agility.

A good working line shouldn’t be hard to train or strong willed as they don’t make good working dogs. Steady, confident calm and willing to listen makes a good working dog

I’ve had both, they are both fabulous and not much difference in exercise needs - more in keenness to work if that makes sense?

plenty of exercise and some mental stimulation to keep them in check - till you get past the teenage stage they will be bonkers and chew everything. They are worth it!

My brother has a show lab. He’s extremely gentle with other dogs and people. He’s a big softie. My friend visited with a puppy. At one point the puppy was hanging off the lab’s face. The dog just gently raised a paw and pushed the puppy down.

My neighbour has two working labs. They are both a bit nuts. She can’t walk them together because one tries to continually hump the other one.

My Labs have all been a mixture. Many working strain are very lean and long-legged with thin heads, and can look like greyhound crosses. Current one is three-quarters working and a quarter show. Grandmother was a champion on the show bench and then got her working certificate. They have all had lovely broad heads, otter tails and looked like true Labradors with the same wonderful temperament and personality. Easy to train and absolutely the best breed.

Adopt don’t shop! Rescue one!

My dm used to breed labs but that was working line and they were lovley but had a huge amount of energy and needed alot of their time to keep them occupied if a walk was shorter doing brain games or training.

She now has 3 show line and one 13 year old from when she used to breed
The 3 show line are all partly related and they are all honestly the calmest dogs I have ever met with lovely temperaments, two are almost identical and I struggle to tell them apart.

I'm a lover of herding type breeds but having walked my own dogs with dm's for the last 25+ years if I had to choose I would get show line.
Dm walks for 45-55 min every morning, I often join her and then she's out again mid afternoon for on average an hour and a half.
The dogs then get dedicated play time in the evening before bed.
Not the older dog she just pootles about now and might do 20 minutes max a day

Show labs are lovely! They’re full of energy when you need them to be and chill when you need them to be. Mine does very well on 90 mins walk per day plus some fun playing hide and seek and tug of war etc around the house to keep stimulated. I WFH so they also have my company all day which helps as they’re pack animals at heart and prefer your company

I’ve never had a working lab but my show lab was extremely gentle and kind, sort of guide dog temperament when she knew she needed to be, but equally fun and a bit crazy too. I’d definitely get a show lab if I wanted another one.

Working labs tend to be smaller than show labs which may or may not be a factor you want to consider.

I have two working labs, they're very different personalities.

If you know what labs were bred to do in the field, i.e. sit around a lot waiting for a retrieve then you realise that the idea that all working dogs are super high energy is false. But there's probably as much as a difference between working dogs from trialling kennels and working dogs who live mostly as pets but do a few days work through the shooting season, as between the latter and show types.

I think it's said that working labs you need to exercise their brain as well as their body, but I've also heard it said about show types that their energy can be harder to manage as they have the energy but not the intelligence to direct them!

We got working labs for a few reasons

• it's mostly what I'm used to
• the labs I knew as a child were working lines who were pet dogs as well as being worked.
• I think they're a slightly more manageable size.
• We wanted a dog with a good nose and a bit of working drive to train to find arrows.
• Show types seem to be becoming hyper type and it's all about looks rather than conformation or temperament.

My 6 month old Lab puppy is half and half - his mum is a working Lab while his dad is a show Lab. Loads of litters have this combination and it's a really nice one in my opinion. He's slim build like the working Labs but quite placid like the show Labs.

To add, he gets about 1.5 hours exercise a day and he's fine with that at the moment and very chilled at home. We do also take him out and about with us sometimes so that's mental stimulation too.

Agility would probably suit a working lines dog better - I’d be more wary of repetitive jumping for a stocky show type. They aren’t really built for it and joint problems are common anyway

Our dog is from working lines. She is smaller and leaner than the average lab. We do agility together which is as much a mental workout for me as it is for her! I hadn't realised the difference in energy levels between show and working labs until we looked after a show lab puppy recently. She was super calm and biddable compared to our dog as a puppy who was very high energy. I always had an idea of show labs being a bit dense but this puppy was super smart and quick to pick up any training. She was an absolute joy and made me reassess my idea of show labs. Essentially you can't go wrong with a lab. I think your plan for walks and games sounds ideal.

I have the US equivalent of a show lab (which here is called an English Lab) and she is a gentle, calm, friendly delight. She weighs 25kg which is small for her breed. She is still quite young but full grown. She needs her hour long walk every day and she is chill the rest of the time. The breeder very specifically tries to breed good family dogs and has 25 years of experience. We are so happy with her.

What’s the difference between show and working labs? I’ve got a 2 year old lab who is the latest after 2 previous ones. To be honest, they’re just labs and my dogs, I wouldn’t know the difference!

Show ones tend to be bigger and chunkier, working labs are a slimmer build.

You get exceptions to this and it doesn't really matter anyway for a family pet.

@Twiglets1Thankyou.

Now I'm worried! I thought I was going out walking with my dog enough - I do 1hr in the morning off lead and another 30-40 mins early evening also off lead.

She's 8kg and 2 years old....

poodle. No behavioural probs....

I have a 2yr old working line. I took a punt on the lines as I was very aware they could be different in energy. I am very dog experienced but not with Labs, I'd just always wanted to train one. Got to say this 'worker' is the most intelligent dog have ever owned and has opened my whole world up. So far we've done mantrailing (like hide and seek for grown ups and dogs 🤣) she found 2 strangers and 2 unknown dogs, hidden in the pitch black (evening session in November) on her first go, at 6 months old. My eyes welled up in amazement and she was SO happy/proud. Next we did beginners gundog training and she has excelled at that. I have also taught her to fetch my phone from upstairs (I ping my Apple watch), she can take my socks off (I have a stiff back), and two days ago she learned to open the lounge door by the handle. I'm utterly in awe. She just wants to learn, she wants to please and I think I'll go down the PAT route with her if she calms down (very excitable). The only downside has been her lack of play manners with other dogs She would just run up and body slam them, but I can see a slight improvement now she's 2. Im not sure whether that's just a Lab thing not having had one before. My other dogs were more cautious. I think that playing with my (large) Newfoundland has caused her to play a little rougher than maybe she would otherwise, and it has caused me some awful situations to deal with. That aside, she sleeps upside down, is goofy and fun, and with 1.5-2hrs exercise it is enough. Sometimes we swim, sometimes nose/scent work, train a little on every walk and sometimes she just has a good gallop, but she is no bother in the house and settles very well. If I settle she sleeps near me happily. (Hard work until 1year). My Newfie is way more of a pest at home. I'd never be without a Lab now - saying that if I had less time and I was working, I'd probably go for a show line Lab. Good luck with whatever you choose OP - I'm going to try agility soon 🐾

She sounds fabulous! My show lab is nowhere near that smart. Her nose is genuinely useless 😀

I've had both show and working lines. Currently have a working line lab who has been super easy to do and a proper love. She is much smaller at only 23kg, so less hair to shed, cheaper vet bills and just easier to deal with. My last two were working X show and a whopping 40kg, not overweight but huge! Everything was more work and expense the bigger they are.
If you're wanting to do more activity type things I'd go with working. Both types make good pets, you can't go wrong with either, providing you can meet their needs.