{"id":1403,"date":"2023-07-23T11:38:32","date_gmt":"2023-07-23T11:38:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1403"},"modified":"2023-07-23T11:38:32","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T11:38:32","slug":"english-lab-vs-american-lab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americangunpeople.com\/?p=1403","title":{"rendered":"English Lab vs American Lab"},"content":{"rendered":"


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If you\u2019re looking for a verdict on the English vs American Lab debate, I\u2019ll tell you right now: American Labradors are the clear winner. They\u2019ve got good looks, athleticism, and\u00a0hunting drive in spades. But that matchup is like pitting a dressage pony against a cowboy\u2019s quarter horse: It doesn\u2019t make a whole lot of sense because they have two very different jobs.<\/p>\n

A more apt comparison is between British and American Labs. Because we Americans are notoriously bad at geography, we often use \u201cEnglish\u201d and \u201cBritish\u201d interchangeably. When it comes to working retrievers, this matters because English Labs are not the same thing as British Labs. English Labs are the stocky, blocky, square-headed Labs that look more suited for napping than fetching. They are traditionally show dogs, or conformation dogs, from England.<\/p>\n

English Labs, which have been bred as show dogs in England, traditionally have blocky heads, thick necks, barrel chests, and short legs. They are not usually bred as working dogs. acceptfoto \/ Adobe Stock<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

British Labs, or field Labs, are bred for hunting and field trial work, and they look an awful lot like healthy American Labs: athletic, lean, and lively. \u201cBritish\u201d simply means these Labs have bloodlines originating in the British Isles, which includes England, yes, but also Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. (My own British Lab happens to be Irish.) Still, there are plenty of differences to note between British and English vs American Labs. Here\u2019s a rundown.<\/p>\n

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American Labs tend to be lankier with more slender heads. They\u2019re bred to be working dogs. Bill Buckley<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The English Lab vs American Breed Standard<\/h2>\n

The American Kennel Club recognizes a single breed of Labrador retriever<\/a>. In other words, English, British, and American Labs aren\u2019t distinguished by any major genetic differences\u2014they\u2019re all just Labrador retrievers. That\u2019s why the AKC\u2019s<\/a> and the UK Kennel Club\u2019s<\/a> descriptions of what an ideal Lab looks and behaves like have far more similarities than differences. For example, Labs from both America and England should have friendly eyes expressing \u201cintelligence and good temper\u201d and a tail that \u201cmay be carried gaily but should not curve over [the] back.\u201d<\/p>\n

While physical differences can and do exist between American and British retrievers (more on this in a minute), size is usually the only reliable indicator of heritage, says Dave Bavero, owner of Waterstone Labradors<\/a> in Boerne, Texas. British Labs tend to be smaller than American Labs.<\/p>\n

Instead of major genetic differences, behavior and training preferences have shaped Labs so they reflect, somewhat comically, the stereotypes of their owners. American Labradors are vocal, enthusiastic, high-strung. English and British Labs are reserved, quieter, polite.<\/p>\n

Physical Characteristics of Labs<\/h2>\n

Because the following characteristics are generally but not always true, a dog might be larger or smaller than the measurements associated with their bloodlines. Or they may have a mix of traits, like a blocky head and curving tail. When it comes to the English vs American Lab, overall size and personality is often a better indicator of breeding.<\/p>\n

One note: The classic \u201cotter tail\u201d that is desirable in all Labs refers not to the length or curvature of a Lab\u2019s tail, but to its rounded shape padded out with thick, dense hair. (If you\u2019ve ever grabbed your Lab\u2019s wagging tail to keep it from whacking you, you\u2019ll understand.)<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
American Lab<\/td>\nBritish Lab<\/td>\nEnglish Lab<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/td>\nAKC breed standard for males: 65 to 80 pounds;
females: 55 to 70 pounds<\/td>\n		No KC breed standard given. On average, males: 50 to 70 pounds; females 45 to 60 pounds\u00a0<\/td>\nNo KC breed standard given. On average, males: 50 to 80 pounds; females 45 to 60 pounds\u00a0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Height<\/td>\nAKC breed standard for males: 22.5 to 24.5 inches;
females: 21.5 to 23.5 inches<\/td>\n		KC breed standard for males: 22 to 22.5 inches; females: 21.5-22 inches<\/td>\nKC breed standard for males: 22 to 22.5 inches; females: 21.5-22 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body<\/td>\nAthletic, lankier body, slimmer chest<\/td>\nAthletic, compact body<\/td>\nThick body, stocky, barrel-chested with larger neck<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Head<\/td>\nNarrower, more slender<\/td>\nNarrower, can be square<\/td>\nBlocky and often thick<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Legs<\/td>\nLonger<\/td>\nShorter<\/td>\nShorter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tail<\/td>\nCurvier, otter tail<\/td>\nVaries, otter tail<\/td>\nStraighter, otter tail<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coat<\/td>\nThinner coat<\/td>\nThicker coat<\/td>\nThicker coat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vocalizations (barking, whining)<\/td>\nMore vocal<\/td>\nQuieter<\/td>\nQuieter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Energy and temperament<\/td>\nHigh-drive, high energy<\/td>\nGreat drive, calmer in the home<\/td>\nFair drive, calmer in the home<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

Energy Levels and Temperament<\/h2>\n
\"hunting
American Labs like this one tend to have high energy, which can be a pro or con in the field. Stephen Maturen<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There\u2019s a reason the Labrador retriever reigned supreme as America\u2019s most popular dog breed<\/a> for three decades. Labs are versatile dogs known for their energy, trainability, affection, and playfulness. They make great family dogs and dedicated, reliable working dogs. Both American and British Labs thrive with proper obedience training and regular exercise. Because they\u2019re descendants of the extinct St. John\u2019s water dog<\/a>\u2014a breed that helped fishermen in Newfoundland retrieve their catches\u2014most Labs love water.<\/p>\n

As with all dogs of a particular breed, individual Labs have individual personalities. Still, American Labs have a reputation for high energy. They are often vocal (known to bark and whine to express themselves) and can be rambunctious at home. The old saying that Lab puppies finally calm down when they turn three is especially apt when describing American Labs. This is because American Labs are a sporting breed, and breeders have historically prioritized high drive in their litters and continue to breed for those traits.<\/p>\n

While the Brits also breed Labradors with retrieving drive in mind, they tend to prioritize calmness and quietness in their dogs. That\u2019s why British Labs have a reputation as well-mannered house dogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have 15 dogs,\u201d says Matty Lambden, a field trial judge and owner of Tamrose Labradors<\/a> in central Ireland. \u201cI could walk around me kennels and there won\u2019t be one\u2014not even one squeak. It\u2019s a fault [in the UK]. If your dog whimpers in line, he\u2019s gone. You drove three hours and the dog gives a bit of a cry, he\u2019s out the door and you\u2019re knocked out of the competition. So that\u2019s why we don\u2019t proceed with that [trait] or breed off those dogs. You\u2019re better off putting all [your efforts] into a dog that you know is going to be quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trainability of the English Lab vs American<\/h2>\n
\"English
All Labrador retrievers have a reputation for biddability and eagerness to please, which makes them ideal dogs for obedience training. Natalie Krebs<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While both American and British Labs are highly trainable and eager to please, the general rule is that American Labs are more resilient to pressure. Pressure refers to physical corrections, ranging from the tug of a leash to e-collar stimulation and force fetching. The reason pressure matters is that a training misstep with a softer dog is likely to have outsize consequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet a dog that has enough talent that they\u2019re going to make up for your mistakes,\u201d retriever trainer Tom Dokken advises owners interested in training their own Lab. \u201cBecause if you get a dog that\u2019s super soft and you\u2019re making mistakes at the wrong time, you might just shut that dog totally down. Whereas a professional trainer, if he has enough experience, he\u2019s evaluating that dog early on to know where that dog\u2019s limits are and where the correction levels are in order to keep it working.\u201d<\/p>\n

British Labs are known for their soft temperament and can shut down under too much pressure. It\u2019s not an insult to tell a Brit their dog is soft. On the contrary, it\u2019s a desirable trait and one of the reasons force fetching and e-collar training is almost nonexistent in the UK and among devotees of British-style dog trainers. In fact, British handlers often don\u2019t put any collar on their dog at all. When I asked one British trainer why he didn\u2019t keep collars on his dogs, he shrugged and said he thought they looked better without it (he wasn\u2019t wrong). It\u2019s also something of an obedience humble brag. My dog,<\/em> he seemed to be saying, doesn\u2019t need a collar.<\/em><\/p>\n

Which Lab Is a Better Hunting Dog?<\/h2>\n

You could start bar fights over which breeds and even bloodlines make the best hunting dog breeds<\/a>. If you ask American Lab handlers which Lab is the better hunting dog, they\u2019ll assure you it\u2019s an American. Brits will tell you just the opposite. (Few people will try to convince you English Labs make good hunting dogs.) In reality, the best Lab for you depends on the kind of hunting you\u2019re planning to do, and what you prioritize in a dog.<\/p>\n

\"A
The author\u2019s 2-year-old British Lab works through heavy snow on a chukar hunt. Natalie Krebs<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI always tell people to get the best bloodlines you can buy,\u201d says Dokken, the legend<\/a> behind Dokken\u2019s Oak Ridge Kennels<\/a> and the inventor of the Dead Fowl Trainer<\/a>. . \u201cI don\u2019t care if it\u2019s British, American, whatever it is. You can have dogs\u2014again, whether it\u2019s British or American\u2014that have some talent. And then you can have dogs that have a lot of talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dokken has worked with thousands of dogs over his four-decade career and trained both American and British Labs. He doesn\u2019t play favorites and if you ask him which he prefers, his answer is always the same: \u201cOne that wants to work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, in his decades of hunting and training, Dokken has personally owned five Labs; all five have been American. My British Lab and I trained at Dokken\u2019s farm in South Dakota, a wind-swept prairie with big water and thick cover. It\u2019s a fair microcosm of American bird hunting. Retrievers in the U.S. are often asked to navigate ocean surf for sea ducks, swift rivers for mallards, and half-frozen potholes for pintails. Our hunters work dogs in prickly desert, steep mountains, and dense woods for quail, chukar, and grouse. Hunting here is more dangerous than in tidy British farm ponds and neat hedgerows.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For that reason, it\u2019s smart to get a high-intensity dog whose drive overwhelms the potential for discomfort or disinterest when the hunting gets tough or slow. On average, that\u2019s probably going to be a Lab with American bloodlines.<\/p>\n

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An American Lab retrieves a duck through an icy pond. Bill Buckley<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If quiet mornings and perfect blind manners are important to you, consider a British Lab. Duck hunting in particular includes lots of slow mornings, and a trained British dog will usually be able to wait out the doldrums silently and without fidgeting. (The same is true of an English Lab vs American if you\u2019re determined to hunt with one.)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an example: One of the best duck dogs I\u2019ve ever hunted over was an American Lab. That dog was steady, obedient, and had drive oozing out his ears. In the blind, he whined like a spoiled kid doing chores on a Saturday. Ultimately my buddy would get annoyed with his dog and I\u2019d get a headache. (Whining in dogs, Dokken says, is usually involuntary\u2014they don\u2019t know they\u2019re doing it, so it\u2019s often impossible to correct.) Meanwhile, my own pup began his duck hunting career with more uncertainty than a hard-charging American Lab, but he stays naturally quiet, stays put when I ask him to, and picks up ducks just fine.<\/p>\n

Labrador Retrievers in Field Trials<\/h2>\n
\"A
Lambden, a breeder and trainer in Ireland who judges field trials, lines up one of his British Labs. He\u2019s got shorter legs and a smaller body, as is characteristic of a British Lab. Courtesy of Matty Lambden<\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

British Labs have always made good hunting dogs, says Bavero, but they\u2019ve historically been dismissed by American handlers for field trials and hunt tests.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe stigma has been that British Labs are not as competitive of dogs, but you\u2019re starting to see more of them in trials,\u201d says Bavero, who began importing Labs from Ireland with his business partner<\/a> in 2018. \u201cBut a lot of that stigma has been how we [Americans] have been training them: If you want to run a hunt test, you have to put a lot of pressure on the dogs. \u2026 The American style has been kind of what we do with most things. Build them up and break them down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bavero finds that U.S. competitions tend to emphasize blind retrieves and focus on a handler\u2019s ability to direct their dog right to a bird rather than letting the dog hunt naturally. Dogs require exceptional drive to endure the tedium of advanced handling drills, so Americans breed for that energy.<\/p>\n

READ NEXT: Best GPS Collars<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Brits breed for what Bavero calls \u201cnatural game-\u200bfinding ability,\u201d a trait that\u2019s rewarded more in British hunt trials, where dogs are handled to an area, then encouraged to search for birds as they would while hunting. Handling is still required but it\u2019s less technical. The cultural emphasis on honoring other dogs has also resulted in calm, steady lines.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Which Lab is smartest?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Neither English nor American Labs are known for their smarts, unfortunately. Among an intelligence study of 13 dog breeds<\/a>, Labs came in last. But in some ways that\u2019s an advantage: Labs generally do what you tell them because they\u2019re biddable, eager-to-please dogs. Much like people, a Lab\u2019s intelligence varies based on his environment, genetics, and (to a certain degree) his training\u2014not his country of origin.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Are English or American Labs easier to train?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This depends on what you want out of your dog. If you want to train a polite, biddable, quiet dog that can stay glued to one spot and earn plenty of praise from strangers, consider a British or English Lab, both of which are bred with an eye for manners. If your priority is to train a hard-charging, high-energy working or hunting dog that just won\u2019t quit, get an American Lab. Remember that these are just general rules with plenty of overlap: American Labs take well to obedience training and British Labs make fantastic working dogs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Is an American Lab a good family dog?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Absolutely. American Labs are affectionate, friendly, and excellent with children. They make great companions and service dogs, and they are also more likely to protect your family and your home than, say, a golden retriever vs Labrador<\/a>. The same is true for British and English Labs.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Which colour Labrador is best?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Which colour Labrador is best?<\/strong>
This is a personal preference. The most widely accepted color among Labrador purists is black, although black, chocolate, and yellow (which includes fox red) are all accepted by the American Kennel Club. Each coat color has its advantages. Non-standard colors like cream, silver, and other \u201cdesigner\u201d colors can be controversial among traditionalists but also have their fans. You can learn more about Labrador retriever colors<\/a> here.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Can a Lab be both English and American?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Yes. A Lab\u2019s heritage is determined primarily by bloodlines, which means a Lab can be both English and American. For example: a puppy can be both if her dam is from U.S. bloodlines and her sire has English bloodlines. Still, most breeders are purists who don\u2019t usually mix international pedigrees. Also, remember that a dog\u2019s breeding determines its heritage\u2014not its country of origin. A puppy born in Michigan, for instance, can still be a British Lab if her sire and dam have British bloodlines.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n

British and American Labs are more similar than they are different. If you\u2019re determined to compare the two, British and English Labs are generally shorter, quieter, and calmer. American Labs are known for their athleticism, high drive, and enthusiasm. But instead of worrying about whether a British or English vs American Lab is \u201cbetter,\u201d pay attention to which dog is right for your needs and lifestyle. Do your homework and choose a responsible breeder. If you get a chance to see a breeder interact with his dogs and, better yet, meet the sire and dam of a litter you\u2019re considering, do it. Once you\u2019ve made your decision, you\u2019ll fall in love with whichever Lab you take home\u2014no matter what his pedigree says.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n