David0311
Zeb I have to disagree with you. This is one of my big frustrations in the world of gun dogs. I think there ARE more mutt labs out there than good ones. Labs have now been the #1 most registered breed for a couple decades. The variation amongst Labs is ridiculous. You have everything from 50# Field dogs to 110# horses, with plenty of over bred non hunting dogs mixed throughout the range.
I think the Lab guys need to take control of their breed. They should start a new registry with dogs that actually do hunt and meet a more regimented breed standard. I could actually see them breaking the hunting lab registry into a couple of sub groups. "Pointing Labs" could even have their own group.
I know this is a bit off topic, but it is a huge pet peeve of mine. I can't stand going out on opening weekend and seeing these once a year hunters with their "hunting dog". Which is usually a poor obese couch Lab, that is walking behind his owner.
Zeb, on your main point about Britts I agree with you.
I have to concede one or two of your points especially on out of shape untrained dogs brought to the field usually by hunters in shame shape ...one thing that will strike terror in a guide or hunting partner is the statement...( I brought my sons...friends..brother in laws..ect....dog should be good ..he/she has papers..)
However as to a regimated standard..that is what caused most of the problems with labs and other hunting breeds...when show or others set a standard that is artificial and only related to looks ..you are in trouble...dont' go there....
I regards to your size issue on dogs...attend a Field trial and you will see a amazing difference in size and conformation...those dogs are bred for performance and ability not a size..or god forbid just color...I particularly mention color due to the damn near ruining of chocolates due to color fad some years back...you may not see the 110 or at least I haven't ..but you will see some very large lanky ones as well as some extremely small almost Pettit ones...That are FC and AFC
As for multiple registration. ie; Pointing Lab Registry..IMO no need/no value.. Almost any dog can be taught to point if you insis ..but why ..and I have had labs that were strong pointer...will not allow current ones to do so..
To touch on the idea of a standard one more time...I have two yellow females same breeding..different litters....you would not guess same breeding due to size and color difference....
Older one is very chunky looking and extremely light in color
Second is lean and athletic and the darker yellow that is more common..at least until the stupid ..stupid..designer colors some have come up with ..but I don't want to get started on that. (moderators relax)
Both have placed Field Trials.....
The older would sort of remind you of the cousin from out of town your friend tried to set you up.....(she has a real pretty face..she's big just big boned
)
Remember several years ago at a trial in Texas after she had just come out of heat and a bit of false pregnancy...I got a bunch of B.S. from some friends Like here comes d.c. With a little his little fat dog saw them at supper two days later and informed them across the resterant that I was going to explain to them the reason for her shape after the awards ceremony but none of them were around at the last series
Any buyer that cares about what he/she is buying should be looking at pedigrees of both parents and actual parents if possible...health clearances ect...and checking on reputation of seller...if not knowledgable get someone who is to help...
We are not the federal government ..passing laws regulations to fix none existent Or more easily remedied issues..
:cheers:
