Please reach out to us early if you are interested. Our primary goal is improvement of the breed; therefore, unlike some kennels, our pups DO NOT come with restricted registration. More on British Labradors:
Physical Characteristics
The British Labrador is unique in many ways. British Labs are shorter and have finer features than American Labs. Females typically run 45-60 pounds and males run 50
-75 pounds. British Labradors typically come in three colors: black, yellow, and dark reddish-yellow (fox red). Temperament
The British Labrador has been bred for centuries to have a calm, relaxed and disciplined temperament. Unlike other breeds, these labs are calm and relaxed from the day they're born. They usually are not high-strung dogs. British Labradors are a highly intelligent breed of dog that are focused and frequently can be trained by a patient amateur. These calm, sweet, loving, and even-tempered dogs usually respond to a soft hand both on the field and at home. The easy-going temperament and playfulness of the British Labrador makes it the perfect choice for a family dog, as well as a hunting companion. They are especially good with kids and older hunters. The beauty and temperament of these dogs was perfectly showcased by Robert Crawley’s dog, “ISIS”, in the award winning PBS television show, Downton Abbey. Hunting Ability
Along with their calm nature comes a very strong drive to hunt and retrieve. British Labradors are typically mellow dogs that are great housemates that quickly convert to hunting machines when entering the field. They're calm enough to hunt with handicapped hunters, yet have enough heart and drive to hunt for groups of 6-10 hunters releasing over 200 birds in one day. Many people find it hard to believe that there is such a difference in temperament and hunting ability between the American Labrador and the British Labrador. A British Labrador will have more calmness and hunting drive bred into it, while an American Labrador will be bred to be active and hard charging. This is due in large part to the way field trials are conducted in the UK versus in the US. In the US, AKC field trials involve dogs mechanically obeying commands - some of which are counter-intuitive to the dog. In the UK, field trials involve live game and real-life hunting and shooting scenarios. Dogs must mark and then retrieve dead and wounded game. Finding and retrieving game is of utmost importance. In addition, dogs are not allowed to even whimper when on the line or they'll be disqualified. Therefore, British Labradors are bred for strong hunting and scenting abilities as well as a calm temperament. Above all, the British Labrador's scenting ability is extraordinary and far superior to other breeds. They are exceptional upland game bird dogs and strong swimmers, making them excellent waterfowl dogs as well. Considered a “gentleman’s dog,” British Labradors are exceptional hunting companions. This is supported by Ducks Unlimited’s choice of British Lab, Deke, as the official DU Gun Dog.
