Anyone breed smaller Labs?

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=S1969;7321577]
I agree, although a 50lb lab is not going to be an easy find. My male Brittany is 40lbs and they are a much lighter build than labs; if a 50lb dog is your criteria, you may not find it in a lab.

So…you may want to expand the ideal size of the lab, or consider other breeds? Or a rescue?

This little 38lb mama is looking for a home…

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152147033433674&set=a.406333298673.186856.131448788673&type=1&theater[/QUOTE]

Awwwwww, so cute! I have actually thought about smaller breeds. I run, hike, and ride, so I want something sturdy enough to keep up. I tend to lean towards Labs because I grew up with them and they’ve been such great dogs! Yes, I’m a little biased!

[Kodidog763]

We have a British lab from Royalty British Kennels in Minnesota. I will disagree with WorkingDrive above, as our dog is neither large (she’s around 55 pounds) nor does she have the blocky style head. We have recommended them to several of our friends and all of the dogs I’ve seen come from them are smaller (50ish pounds), and lovely dogs. They are all excellent family dogs, as well as any other “occupation” their families put them in. Our Zeta is an excellent hunter, but I believe they also have dogs from their lines working as therapy dogs, etc. You can google them for their web site, and they have a Facebook page which has tons of photos of clients and their dogs. I would highly recommend them.

A couple of photos of Zeta:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1534484320738&l=8fb9fa37a4
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1307335162151&l=14cb0810c8

Oh - the Facebook page is under “Family of RBK”

[Cornerpost]

For example here is my girl. She runs about 60 to 65 pounds and 21 inches tall which is within breed standard.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2295789480424&l=89037a247d

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2295786200342&l=5a35355d49

[Murphy_s_Mom]

[QUOTE=JumpQH;7321739]
PM sent, Murphy’s Mom![/QUOTE]
Replied with website and other info.

[wendy]

according to the breed standard, labs are supposed to run around 60 pounds, not 100 pounds. So any good breeder should be able to supply you with a proper-sized lab.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=wendy;7322538]
according to the breed standard, labs are supposed to run around 60 pounds, not 100 pounds. So any good breeder should be able to supply you with a proper-sized lab.[/QUOTE]

The standard says: Approximate weight of dogs and bitches inworking condition: dogs 65 to 80 pounds; bitches 55 to 70 pounds.

So, a 70lb bitch is entirely normal. 50…would be considered small. I agree, no labs should really be 100lbs and any that are must be obese or oversized…not sure whether the term “working condition” is meant to help differentiate between labs in the show ring versus their “working” weight?

If a 50lb (max) bitch is the goal, a lab may not be the breed. Or it might be better to look for a good breeder of healthy labs and be willing to accept that the bitch may be 65-70lbs. That would seem to be a reasonable request of any lab breeder.

[Big_Grey_hunter]

[QUOTE=JumpQH;7321725]
Katie is beautiful! I would for sure be spaying as soon as I possibly could - no breeding for me![/QUOTE]

If you like her dogs enough, it’s still worth giving her a call, I know she will ship puppies out of state. We found out after the fact that for usually one female puppy a litter, she tells the new owner they can buy the puppy if they breed her once. Turns out that a) you can say no and she’ll still let you have the puppy and b) if you never call, she won’t either. We never called her, and 3 years later just got Katie spayed.

But the labs are very, very consistent in size, type, and temperament. I can always recognize a kresland dog in our area. Although my preference is a show breeder, I would not hesitate to buy from her again. Plus, the puppies are much more reasonable then the thousands for show lines

[Houndhill]

Disclaimer, I know nothing about this breeder except for this, so much research would have to be done, but thought this was interesting:

"Canoe Labradors
Our canoe Labradors are bred to be a smaller size. They typically range from 35 to 50 lbs. They are small enough to jump out of a canoe without capsizing it. They also bring less water back into the canoe on their return.

The canoe labs are small in size, but still bred for all the qualities you expect in a British Labrador: Calm nature, trainability, natural delivery to hand and game-finding initiative.

Our canoe Labrador puppies are priced at $1000 - $1,200 and come with full registration. A $300 deposit will reserve one.

Our sires for canoe size labs are Tudorcourt Twig’s Shadow, Tibea Duckflight and Duckhill Sailorss Return. Duckflight and Sailor are also Legacy Labs. All three are excellent gundogs and weigh in at 50 lbs each.

For information of current availability of puppies please email liz@duckhillkennels.com."

[clint]

[QUOTE=BuddyRoo;7321380]
My dog is a field style lab and he’s svelte at 96 lbs and 27 inches at the shoulder. I know there are smaller dog type breeders but with the field labs (in my experience) they breed for taller in those because they’re going through brush and what not.

Being tall helps.

For a smaller lab, I think the English/bench lab folks might be your best bet. If you want short.

If you want light weight, that’s going to be a challenge on the research because it does seem like many breeders are trying to go “big”.[/QUOTE]

In my experience the field labs are big; my neighbor has a few of them, and occasionally breeds them. They are probably in the 90+ lb. range. I had a very well bred English lab who was 55+ lbs, and a friend also had a purebred female in that range. They are more compact, at least the ones I know.

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=Houndhill;7322970]
Disclaimer, I know nothing about this breeder except for this, so much research would have to be done, but thought this was interesting:

"Canoe Labradors
Our canoe Labradors are bred to be a smaller size. They typically range from 35 to 50 lbs. They are small enough to jump out of a canoe without capsizing it. They also bring less water back into the canoe on their return.

The canoe labs are small in size, but still bred for all the qualities you expect in a British Labrador: Calm nature, trainability, natural delivery to hand and game-finding initiative.

Our canoe Labrador puppies are priced at $1000 - $1,200 and come with full registration. A $300 deposit will reserve one.

Our sires for canoe size labs are Tudorcourt Twig’s Shadow, Tibea Duckflight and Duckhill Sailorss Return. Duckflight and Sailor are also Legacy Labs. All three are excellent gundogs and weigh in at 50 lbs each.

For information of current availability of puppies please email liz@duckhillkennels.com."[/QUOTE]

Funny enough, I also found this breeder while researching!

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=Cornerpost;7322006]
For example here is my girl. She runs about 60 to 65 pounds and 21 inches tall which is within breed standard.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2295789480424&l=89037a247d

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2295786200342&l=5a35355d49[/QUOTE]

OMG, PLEASE let her come live with me! I love her! What a beautiful girl!

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=Big_Grey_hunter;7322949]
If you like her dogs enough, it’s still worth giving her a call, I know she will ship puppies out of state. We found out after the fact that for usually one female puppy a litter, she tells the new owner they can buy the puppy if they breed her once. Turns out that a) you can say no and she’ll still let you have the puppy and b) if you never call, she won’t either. We never called her, and 3 years later just got Katie spayed.

But the labs are very, very consistent in size, type, and temperament. I can always recognize a kresland dog in our area. Although my preference is a show breeder, I would not hesitate to buy from her again. Plus, the puppies are much more reasonable then the thousands for show lines[/QUOTE]

I appreciate the info! Murphy’s Mom gave me a great lead, and much closer to my area, but I’m checking out everything!

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=JumpQH;7323656]
I appreciate the info! Murphy’s Mom gave me a great lead, and much closer to my area, but I’m checking out everything![/QUOTE]

Yes, definitely check all your options.

Closer is not always better, and sometimes you have to wait for what you want.

[GraceLikeRain]

I don’t have any personal connections but just wanted to mention that I strongly recommend going with a breeder who does thorough health testing. You can go directly to the OFA and other websites to verify the results. It is not uncommon for “reputable” breeders to say they health test but they either don’t or they lie about the results. Good hips, eyes, kidneys, etc. will save you a lot of money and heartbreak long term.

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;7324097]
I don’t have any personal connections but just wanted to mention that I strongly recommend going with a breeder who does thorough health testing. You can go directly to the OFA and other websites to verify the results. It is not uncommon for “reputable” breeders to say they health test but they either don’t or they lie about the results. Good hips, eyes, kidneys, etc. will save you a lot of money and heartbreak long term.[/QUOTE]

Ditto!! Absolutely.

[JumpQH]

[QUOTE=GraceLikeRain;7324097]
I don’t have any personal connections but just wanted to mention that I strongly recommend going with a breeder who does thorough health testing. You can go directly to the OFA and other websites to verify the results. It is not uncommon for “reputable” breeders to say they health test but they either don’t or they lie about the results. Good hips, eyes, kidneys, etc. will save you a lot of money and heartbreak long term.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I tend to believe what people tell me so it’s good to know there’s a place to verify and that I can.

[S1969]

[QUOTE=JumpQH;7324230]
Thank you! I tend to believe what people tell me so it’s good to know there’s a place to verify and that I can.[/QUOTE]

Yes, you can definitely check on things like OFA and CERF right on their website. There may also be some other checks that won’t be as easy to check online (e.g. not sure about cardiac testing) so if you have questions, bring the certificates/vet reports to your own vet to review. I haven’t bred my dog yet but I would expect the breeder to present you with his actual certificates as well so you could bring the whole packet to your vet and ask questions.

[GraceLikeRain]

^ absolutely. If both parents are not on site (understandable) I would request clear stack shots from the side, front, and back. Form follows function. Picking a puppy from parents with good angles, straight legs, strong topline, etc. will increase the odds that you will have a puppy with the same. Since you want a running companion this is especially important since structural faults are weaker and can lead to more injuries and early breakdown of joints.

[tallyho392]

my first dog when I was out on my own post college was a lab…backyard breeder had dumped a litter…I took the two remaining females that had not been taken…when young pups,they looked alike, but as they matured, one had the blocky build and was taller,the other one was much more diminutive in her features and stature…sometimes people thought she was a terrier mix…but they both had labbie personalities,through and through…
I have always thought that if ever a mini lab could be developed,that it would be THE perfect breed, and glad/surprised to see that so many folks are interested and happy to find smaller labs…I do prefer the chunky/blocky build, bbut in a smaller package…much as I love the “look” of a draft horse, but practicality makes a Hafie the perfect horse for me…
I would love to see a breeder able to get the English look in a smaller overall size…

[GraceLikeRain]

^ If you set aside aesthetics, there are a number of of retrieving breeds that are smaller in stature.