Hunting Labs vs. Show Labs
November 01, 2015
By, Pete and Julie Morrill
Hunting dog people and show dog people are generally very different breeds in themselves. We speak two very different languages and have very little in common with one another. We do not want to speak ill of show dogs or show people, since we not only have friends and family members in the show dog world. Also, without show dog breeders, we would not have the beauty, diversity and enjoyment of so many different dog breeds. There is a different breed of dog to fit every personality. Just picture the opening scenes of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians.
Making a sweeping generalization, I’ll go out on a limb and say that show dogs tend to be bred more for their physical appearance or beauty (muscular definition, skeletal conformation, coat color, coat texture, overall body size, etc.); whereas field bred gun dogs tend to be bred more for physical activity and hunting skills. Show dogs have to be well trained in basic obedience, in order to travel from show to show and be well-behaved in a judging arena. Hunting dogs have to have tractability (trainability or biddability) in basic obedience, but also show aptitude for more advanced skills, which require a higher intelligence level. This does NOT mean that show dogs are less intelligent, mind you; it just means that their intelligence may not be put to the test or utilized to their greatest potential, like that of a hunting dog. However, speaking of intelligence, there is the unfortunate fact that some less responsible show dog breeders have put so much care into their “beauty breedings” that intelligence has been largely bred out of their lines.
Before I get myself into trouble, let me say that getting that perfect balance of both brains and beauty is not easy. All of our dogs are good looking, but are they as beautiful as show dogs? That’s debatable. Of course, we strive for good looks in our dogs, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and, although it’s in our top 6 list, it’s not our #1 top priority. What is our top priority? Intelligence. But we’re looking for a certain type of intelligence that encompasses a good nose, strong hunting instinct, good thought processes, ability to learn, and problem solving skills. But all of this intelligence would be useless if it weren’t for our second highest priority in breeding: personality.
The one specific trait that many gun dog breeders miss completely is temperament. Most show dog Lab people breed and show English Labs, which are known for their soft, even dispositions. Those who breed English Labs for hunting purposes get what they view as the perfect combination of temperament and hunting desire. There is a drawback to English Labs as hunters, however, and that is their lack of stamina. This is due to their shorter legs and heavier, more bulky, muscular bodies. Labrador Retriever breeders in the United States solved this problem by breeding the taller, longer, leaner, more athletic dog now known as the “American Lab,” which possesses superior drive, intense focus, and high energy. Many of these dogs are hunting machines. They are strong, bold, muscular, athletic, and driven to succeed in competitions. Consequently, much of the gentle calmness so coveted by English Lab breeders is bred out of American Labrador Retrievers.
So, as you can see, the lines dividing hunting vs. show dogs are not always clear. 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. Breeding dogs for both sport and show are becoming less and less common. Why? Here’s what Geoffrey English said in an article her wrote for Gun Dogs Online (gundogsonline.com): ‘Simply put, both areas have become so competitive in recent years that breeders in both the show ring and the field have changed what traits they breed for in order to be competitive. To be successful in the field, professional breeders must focus on breeding traits that are highly desirable during your typical day of shooting. In contrast, a show breeder must focus on traits that relate to the confirmation and structure of their breed. I once heard a gentleman summarize it nicely, ‘Field breeders are producing the athletes and show breeders are producing the models’.”