He sports a thick, rough coat that is harsh to the touch and wags a tail that is fat and short, like an otter. In America, the Labrador retriever, referred to as an English show/confirmation Labrador, generally is a stocky, short legged, powerful, Rocky Balboa-type Lab, with a broad head and a square muzzle. They have a slim body which is meant for more work. Ill dog lying on the examination table. Show vs Field Labradors. Both types of American Labradors can compete in the obedience ring, tests for working certificate, Rally Obedience, and agility trials. The Labrador Retriever or ‘Lab’, including black labs, yellow labs, chocolate labs, etc. The Golden Retriever (left) is smaller than a Labrador (right) When comparing the size difference of a Golden Retriever vs Labrador you will notice Goldens are slightly smaller on average.. These Labradors are most common in North America and they are also known as Working or field Labradors. Their characteristics are: American Labs are leaner and long-legged. On those working trials judges score how the dog reacts on shooting, then different types of retrieving ect. One strain ‘field/working’ bred by the working gundog community, and the other ‘show/bench’ bred by the show dog community. Longer legs help them in running and swimming. Each puppy is different and can not be guaranteed it's future, pick a pup based on it's personality and energy levels. The English Labrador, due to his show personality, may be slightly less demanding than the American Labrador. According to the FCI standard the labrador is a working dog and in order to get the Inter CH and in some countries the national Ch he has to pass a working trial. A show labrador has champion show bloodlines. They believe the terms American and English should only be used when referring to the country of origin, any other uses of the word are considered incorrect. Characteristics of American or Working Labrador. A yellow, working Labrador Retriever puppy sitting obediently in undergrowth or garden and looking straight at the camera in a Champion dog show image Old labrador retriever in veterinary clinic. So, as you can see, the lines dividing hunting vs. show dogs are not always clear. These distinctions are most marked in our spaniel breeds, especially the cocker, but are also becoming increasingly apparent in the nation’s favourite gundog: the labrador retriever. Popular enough, it seems, that the American Kennel Club and the UK Kennel Club have slightly different standards. Both the "English" and "field" Labrador Retrievers are great pets, but there are differences. The American Lab will have bundles of energy that he will need to expel. is a breed of ‘working dog’ or ‘sporting dog’ that is popular all over the world. Field Labrador vs Bench Labrador (and one in between). A beautiful English Labrador Retriever show dog may also make a great hunting dog, but a sporty, hunt-driven American Labrador Retriever will not generally make a good show dog, even if he or she met all of AKC’s show dog criteria. The Labrador Retriever Club would describe American Labradors as working dogs and English Labradors as show dogs. Bench Labs are likely to be a bit calmer and less demanding with exercise requirements. A Working Labrador is a Labrador that does work, such as hunting. The puppy has the bloodlines and quality to be a show dog with the proper training. ... a narrow muzzle, and thinner tail than the American show type Labrador and the Labradors bred in England. If you use him as a working Labrador then this exercise will suffice.