Type Changes / Weight in Showring

Maddie · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 12:53 pm Post subject:

Di, that's fascinating. I am torn with my two. Coco, I do agility with, is my "ideal" type and could keep going all day (she does at agility shows in 25 degree plus heat) whereas Blue I have bought to show but I am loathed to let her put on too much "condition" for fear of damaging her joints.

Winsleywood · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

You know I agree with you Di - we are firm believers that our labs should be able to do both - show and work and although all of our are pure show bred dogs - Chloe has proved herself a successful picking up dog and her son Charlie is learning the ropes. I just wanted to add that, with no disrespect to anyone that both factions seem to breed to extremes and neither really resemble the breed as was. I agree that many of the current show dogs are over boned, too heavy and would have no chance of jumping a 5 bar gate with a pheasant in their mouth. This trend surely is down to the judges who often mistake fat for substance and many seem to strive for the finished product too soon?

I had the pleasure of attending the Labrador Retriever Club centenary weekend celebrations a few years ago and thought that the late Janice Pritchard's talk on the breed was excellent along with working/field trial breeders. Where you there Di, I cant remember?

Diana · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 6:07 pm Post subject:

" I had the pleasure of attending the Labrador Retriever Club centenary weekend celebrations a few years ago and thought that the late Janice Pritchard's talk on the breed was excellent along with working/field trial breeders. Where you there Di, I cant remember? "

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I was slap in the middle of a sticky messy divorce and didn't feel like going anywhere, so didn't, but regret that intensely - however have her notes on the talk and think they are magnificent.

Was lucky enough to talk with her just 3 or 4 months before she died sitting in a beautiful field watching dogs work, on the subject, and will take her words etched on my heart to the grave, and I don't say that to be dramatic, the lady was one alone in her drive and vision for keeping the dual purpose labrador alive (as you know.... )

Di