Thread: Fat Labs

Originally Posted by kawhia

most of the fence jumping English labs I've seen do all that and can still put in a solid weeks work...all had an off switch.
I would say given a full work load even a show lab would soon be non standard as they would soon change once a few ribs start showing.... but I would also expect the pedigree to show up and the dog could break down or quit.

Guess mine aren't normal then, as they don't quit they just keep going, but I want a Labrador that can do it all, as for breaking down , it is actually a field bred Lab I would expect to break down first, simply because show lines have more health tests as a rule done on them , some field lines wouldn't know what a hip or elbow score was or are never tested for PRA or EIC. I am told in NZ EIC tends to be more prevalent in the field lines than the show lines again simply because some out there don't test. I do so love the ads that say they don't health test their dogs because they have never had a problem, the only ad that should be is a TUI ad. At the end of the day there is no right or wrong answer just peoples personal preference as to what they want to hunt with and live with.

of the lines I have been looking at for a few years now, all health test, the health testing is the first thing tooted by the show side I might add, both blame the other for not testing.... I suppose the field lines you mention need to be split into the actual working lines and the common and I hate to say it, back yard specials.
EIC testing is gaining ground with many of the top uk working kennels and it is great to see.

Originally Posted by kawhia

of the lines I have been looking at for a few years now, all health test, the health testing is the first thing tooted by the show side I might add, both blame the other for not testing.... I suppose the field lines you mention need to be split into the actual working lines and the common and I hate to say it, back yard specials.
EIC testing is gaining ground with many of the top uk working kennels and it is great to see.

Unfortunately there are some ( both Show and Field ) breeders who still don't believe in EIC, and others test , not because they believe in the problem but because it helps them sell pups.

one would hope that the pup buyers are insisting on buying from EIC tested parents, breeders can't hide it if the market starts asking for it.