Kansas Missouri Labrador Network

30/08/2023

19/08/2023

3 girl dilutes
2 black males
PM for more info - amazing pedigrees parents health tested.

19/08/2023

Improved import lines, health tested. Ofa excellent and Good embark tested! Pm Jay Family labs for info!

Basket full of joy. AKC puppies 3 weeks old today.

19/08/2023

Meet our only silver lab Wendy. 3 1/2 weeks old today. Will be available in 3 weeks.

15/08/2023

11/03/2023

To Breeding Outside The Standard ?!

The world of dog breeding is a complex and often contentious one. Some breeders are passionate about preserving the integrity of a specific breed, while others are more focused on producing healthy and happy dogs regardless of breed standards. In the world of the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are breeders who are fiercely dedicated to the preservation of purebred dogs, and they can be very vocal and even angry when they see breed standards being compromised.

Many AKC preservationist breeders believe that the breed standards set forth by the AKC parent clubs are the only true representation of a particular breed, and they feel that any deviation from these standards is a betrayal of the breed. They argue that breeding outside of the standard can lead to health problems, temperament issues, and a loss of the unique characteristics that define a breed.

However, there is a bit of hypocrisy involved when it comes to breeding a specific breed. All ancestors eventually come from the same population of dogs through the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) process until the stud books are closed when making new breeds. This means that even the most purebred dog has ancestors that were mixed breeds or came from other breeds. In other words, there is no such thing as a completely purebred dog. They standardize a breed look after getting so many dogs that look “similar” and then they refine what they want based on a human desire or fancy. That can sometimes be in form, conformation, or sometimes it can be for function. Their hypocrisy also lies in the fact that breed standards have revisions over time. In other words they can and have changed, depending on who is in charge and popular acceptance by the public.

For example in the Labrador retriever the only retriever that was a good retriever was initially black. Then slowly yellow became accepted, and then later the color chocolate which was entirely undesirable at one point and accused of having all sorts of coat issues, has now become quite acceptable in the breed. It does not go without mention that many breeds including the Labrador Retriever have vast differences between show and hunting or working types, to the point where some might believe the are entirely separate or different breeds altogether.

And even so, some breed standards can be so strict that they can actually be harmful to the breed. For example, some breeds have been bred for exaggerated physical traits, such as short snouts or overly large heads, which can lead to breathing problems, joint issues, and other health problems. Breeding outside of the strict breed standards can actually help to reduce these problems by introducing new genetic material into the breed. The variations in the Labrador breed come from the multitude of various dogs bred in the Labrador as they formed the standard.

It's important to note that not all AKC preservationist breeders are militant or hypocritical, and many are genuinely committed to preserving the health and welfare of their chosen breed. However, it's also important to recognize that there is no such thing as a completely purebred dog, and that breeding outside of strict breed standards can sometimes be beneficial for the breed. Rather than being militant or angry, breeders should be open-minded and willing to learn from others in order to produce healthy and happy dogs.

02/03/2023

25/02/2023

25/02/2023

Interesting read that I would like to share with lab owners of ALL colors! 🐾

25/02/2023

Weimaraner Gene in Labrador?

Is there proof positive evidence of the Weimereimer gene in the Labrador gene pool

No, there is no proof or evidence that the Weimaraner gene exists in the Labrador gene pool. Weimaraner and Labrador are two distinct dog breeds with different genetic backgrounds. While it is possible for dogs of different breeds to mate and produce offspring, it is unlikely for a Weimaraner gene to be present in the Labrador gene pool. Additionally, breeders typically do not mix breeds intentionally, and most reputable breeders focus on maintaining the breed standards of their respective breeds.

How long have silver color Labradors been showing up in the breed for over 50 plus years.

The silver color in Labrador Retrievers is a relatively recent phenomenon, and there is no clear documentation on when it first appeared.

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the breed standard for Labrador Retrievers only recognizes three colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. However, some Labradors may carry a recessive gene for dilution that can result in a silver or gray coat color. AKC ask that you register silver, charcoal and champagne as the base coat color, of chocolate, black and yellow. And although you can’t show the dilute labradors in the show ring they can participate in agility and hunt competitions with those extra shades of silver charcoal and champagne colors. Therefore they are a legitimate part of the breed although outside the breed standard.

The first recorded silver Labrador was born in 1951, but it wasn't until the 1980s and 1990s that silver Labradors gained popularity. Since then, there has been some controversy over whether silver Labradors are true Labradors or a separate breed altogether. Some breeders argue that silver Labradors are a separate breed and refer to them as "Weimaraner-lab mixes" due to their resemblance to the Weimaraner breed. However, the AKC still recognizes silver Labradors as Labrador Retrievers.

23/02/2023

English Silver Labs exist prove me wrong?