For waterfowl hunters, the golden standard for a working dog is the Labrador retriever. With the tenacity to chase downed birds in harsh conditions through thick brush or freezing water, and always be ready for the next retrieve, these are some of the toughest, hard-working dogs out there. When you look more into the appearance, build, and overall health of the Labrador, there are noticeable characteristics between individual dogs.
Throughout the years, there has been a steady conversation between dog handlers: “Which Labrador line is better: American, British, or English?” This does make the separation of American and British from English distinct, as the first two are predominantly bred for fieldwork, and the other is bred for the show ring circuit. What are the differences between American and British Labradors? Is one line truly better than the other?
From a historical standpoint, the Labrador retriever is derived from the St. John’s Dog in Newfoundland, located in the Labrador Territory of Canada. British Labradors are the term used for the Labradors that were taken from Canada over to the United Kingdom and Ireland to be used for gundog work. In the early 1900s, they began to run field trials to determine the abilities of those dogs, and from those field trials, the lineage is still alive to this day, making the British line of Labradors the longest-running line of Labradors.
A Labrador’s appearance comes in three colors: black, chocolate (medium to dark, originally called “liver”), and yellow (ranging from creamy white to fox-red). These are the three recognized colors of Labrador, as “silver labs” carry a dilute gene. When it comes to choosing a dog, you want to choose a line that has health-tested elbows, eyes, and hips. These are the main areas of a Labrador where you run into health-related issues, such as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and static eye, especially with the amount of work these dogs are put through.
American Labrador
As it pertains to the American Labrador line, Kenneth Corder, owner and operator of American Signature Kennels, has been working with these dogs for several years, shortly after returning from a deployment to Afghanistan. His knowledge from working with dog trainers in law enforcement and military mission planning has translated over into the waterfowl world and training working dogs.
“American Labradors are taller than their British equivalents, as I would equate them, in football terms, to being a wide receiver versus being in the linebacker role. Extremely versatile in sizing, as you can have one dog around fifty pounds and stay that way, then another sits right there at seventy-five pounds.”
For mannerisms in the American line, these Labradors are on the high-energy, fierce-intensity side in comparison to the British line. They are more prone to use their eyes when marking a bird as it falls to the ground, and after they are sent to retrieve it. In American field trials, there is more emphasis on marking the birds and handling the dog, so the dog starts to rely more on their eyes than their nose.
When addressing the topic of hunting style with American Labradors, Corder says, “I take into account the terrain that I am going to encounter and how the dog would do their best work to retrieve the downed bird. If you’re primarily hunting from a boat and you’re lifting the dog into the boat, a smaller dog might be the way to go. For those who hunt rice and bean fields and marshes with a lot of aquatic grass, that’s where a taller, bigger dog might be better, so they’re not getting hung up in the brush.”
“What I like most about the American line of Labradors is their grit,” according to Corder. “These dogs separate themselves from the other lines because they will drive through the brush, over the ice, into the thorns to do what it takes to get the downed bird, and with such force that it is like they’re walking on water to do their job perfectly.”
British Labrador
For the past decade, Barton Ramsey, owner and operator of Southern Oak Kennels, has been refining the standard for British Labradors here in the United States. From flying to the United Kingdom and walking hand-in-hand with the dogs that he imports back to the States to speaking at training seminars around the country, Ramsey selflessly brings the world of British Labradors to the community.
The British line of working dogs is on the smaller side, especially in the legs. These dogs have a wide, flat head with more spacing in between the eyes, and there is more attention towards having a double coat with a thick otter-tail. As far as mannerisms go, British dogs tend to be calmer than their American counterparts. They use their nose more when searching for birds on the ground. In British field trials, there is more focus on hunting a specific area, as there is a lot of evaluation of the dog to use its nose to find game.
“The real separation of the two lines is the system of evaluation when it comes to accomplished pedigrees,” according to Ramsey. “When you have a good breeding on either side, that means the pedigree is going to be full of dogs that will have some level of achievement. So the question becomes, ‘what do the dogs have to do to reach that level of achievement?’”
“What dogs have to do in the United Kingdom to become a field trial champion is vastly different compared to what a dog has to do in American field trials. In the way they evaluate dogs in UK field trials, there is an emphasis on line manners, being quiet in the field, and steadiness, with a focus on game-finding abilities. In America, there is a lack of focus on steadiness and being quiet for extended periods of time, so there is more attention directed to technical marks and blinds as well as on the trainer or handler than on the dog.”
When to Choose an American or British Lab?
Take into consideration the different hunting environments and weather conditions that you will primarily encounter when you choose your Labrador. From a physical standpoint, tall grasses and cut agricultural fields are where a dog from the American line might succeed the best, compared to flooded timber and bodies of water for a dog from the British line. If the weather conditions start getting a little squirrely, you want a dog that will remain composed and be in tune with you when you are giving commands, which is where a British Labrador might be the optimal choice instead of an American Labrador. Each individual hunting scenario provides an opportunity to reflect and make an assessment of the nature of the working dog you want beside you.
Final Thoughts
When you break down the two lines of Labrador retrievers, the comparison is between their physical characteristics and the type of fieldwork they do. The American line provides high-driven, bigger dogs, while the British line offers calm and reserved, smaller dogs. At the end of the day, the decision on which Labrador retriever line is above the other is based purely upon personal preference. A Labrador is a Labrador is a Labrador. If you are in the market for one of these amazing working dogs, dig in and do some research into the different breeders and their programs that are out there, as well as the overall health and build of the dog you wish to have. You might find out that certain characteristics of the dog you want belong to the other type of Labrador, whether it is American or British.