Pure-bred yellow Labrador Retrievers come in varying shades of yellow. This could be cream, golden, or sometimes even reddish.
This goes for both sub-breeds of yellow lab – English labrador vs. American Labrador. The difference is subtle and this is because both are descendants of the same ancient breed.
Their differences are mainly due to selective breeding. It may also be attributed to the varying standards set by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and UK’s The Kennel Club (TKC) for Labrador Retrievers.
How exactly? Keep reading to find out.
English Labrador vs. American Labrador
English labs are sometimes referred to as “benches” while American labs are called “fields.” This is in reference to the purpose of their breeding.
Read more on this topic below.
How They Differ
If you ask the AKC or TKC, they don’t really acknowledge the English or American sub-breeds. Only the Labrador Retriever is registered under both organizations.
Although, if you look closely, their training and purpose for breeding did affect their build and temperament.
Take a look.
The English Labrador
The English lab is primarily bred for shows, so it’s generally slightly bulkier than its American counterpart. The shape of their head and their snout are also stubbier, or what you would call puppy-like features.
Their coats are thicker, too, so their overall appearance may be described as short and stocky. Everything about them seems to be thick from the shape of the head to the tails and neck.
Since working hasn’t been a priority for the benches, they’re also much calmer and laid back. However, even benches love walks and lots of playtime like all the other dogs.
The American Labrador
Selective breeding resulted in the agile, slender, intensely energetic American Labradors. They’re the type of dogs who love a good physical and mental workout.
They’re generally taller than their English cousins because the AKC allows up to 24.5 inches as opposed to TKC’s 21.5. Also, their coats are moderately thinner, so their snout, legs, and neck may look leaner.
All these contribute to the fields’ mobility when they’re out hunting or playing.
The Uncanny Resemblance
At first glance, it would be difficult to identify which is which. The English and American labs are comparable to twins who grew up in different countries and developed contrasting interests.
Physical Attributes
The yellow benches and fields share the same coat color and amount of shedding. Both of their coats are water repellent as inherited from their ancestor.
The easy way to tell them apart is by looking at the thickness of the coat. English labs are typically fluffier than American labs.
Now, imagine two adult males of the same age, one from each sub-breed. If you put them side-by-side, they would look like they’re the same size.
Although American labs are taller by about 3 inches on average, the English labs’ coats will make it look like there isn’t any difference between them.
Temperament
Both breeds are incredibly loving and gentle, which is why they’re the world’s favorite family dogs. To nobody’s surprise, Labradors have held the top spot as the most popular dog breed for decades.
Their sweet nature makes them the ideal service dogs for persons with mobility issues and autism. They’re also proven to be wonderful around children and smaller animals.
Labs have a silly reputation for being too friendly to a fault, but it’s not true that they’d go as far as inviting intruders to your home. On the contrary, they’d make excellent watchdogs with early and proper training.
Breed History
Both the English and American Labradors came from the same ancestor, which is the St. John’s water dog. They were a working breed trained to catch fish and ducks, so they were very much confident working on the water.
So, did they originate in America or Great Britain? Neither. They originally came from Newfoundland, Canada, and there isn’t much information as to why they adopted the name Labrador.
Sometime in the 19th century, a group of English nobles visited Canada. The nobles developed a liking for the St. John’s dog and sailed home with them.
The dogs that were brought to Great Britain were refined and standardized, later to be renamed the English Labrador Retriever. They were mostly bred for shows where appearance is of utmost importance.
They were introduced into America, eventually, where their skills were diversified and enhanced. In America, the dogs were trained for hunting or collecting games.
On the other hand, the St. John’s dogs that remained in Canada kept on with their fishing and duck-collecting routine. However, the breed ultimately became extinct due to the heavy taxes that were laid on dog ownership and the promotion of sheep raising.
This left its surviving sub-breeds, the English and American Labradors to carry on its lineage.
Which Breed is Better?
The answer depends on who you ask. Some breed types are a better fit for certain households than others, but that doesn’t mean the other one isn’t as good.
Are you wondering which breed would complement you best? Then, read on.
Who Should Get an American Labrador?
The field would be the ideal sporting buddy, someone who would happily run around and fetch things for you. These pups are all about physical and mental challenges.
They want to be stimulated often, so they’d really appreciate plenty of playtime. Even better if you have a pool at home or live close to the beach!
Labradors are recommended breeds for both first-time and seasoned dog owners. So, if you’re able to spend a couple of hours per day walking your dog around the neighborhood or park, then an American lab would love you to be their human.
Who Should Get an English Labrador?
The English lab is the more relaxed version of the Labrador Retriever. However, don’t expect them to be snoozing on their bed for most of the day.
They are also intelligent dogs who enjoy lots of physical activity, just not as intense as the American lab. They may be the slightly milder variant, but they also need about the same amount of outdoor time.
Furthermore, Labrador Retrievers in the UK wouldn’t make the cut unless they excel in field trials and agility tests. That’s because they’re still working dogs even while rocking the runway.
So, if you qualify for an American lab owner as stated above, then, you’d probably do well with an English lab, too. They’re not a demanding breed and would fit in well with almost any type of household.
How to Take Care of Labradors
In this part, there’s no distinction in taking care of Labradors. Regardless if they’re English or American, they need about the same amount of nutrition and snuggles.
Wellness and Nutrition
Being an active breed, a labrador’s diet must include 18 to 22 percent of high-quality protein daily. This is important for muscle growth and development.
Besides protein, they should also get balanced portions of fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. A balanced meal will keep your lab from diseases and allow them to live for as long as 12 years.
For their exercise, labs should be constantly given ample space to run around in. Therefore, if you don’t have enough room in your backyard or lawn, be sure to take your lab to the park or beach.
Hygiene
Here are ways to keep your Labrador Retriever clean and healthy.
Skin and Coat
Labradors shed moderately. Since they have a double coat, they molt about twice a year: once during springtime and another time just before winter.
Ideally, their coat should be brushed daily, but once a week should do. Bath times, on the other hand, should be done around once a month, depending on how dirty they are.
The AKC recommends using high-quality canine shampoo and rinsing with warm water to help get rid of dead fur.
Mouth
Giving your dogs calcium supplements for strong teeth is good, but it’s not enough to keep their teeth and gums healthy. You also need to care for the tissues supporting the teeth.
This often starts as swollen gums or gingivitis, but since they’re mostly concealed, it’s easy to overlook. If ignored, this could lead to canine periodontal disease (CPD).
This is caused by bacteria that spread through the plaque and tartar that develop on the teeth. Thus, CPD may be avoided by giving your dog opportunities to chew, and of course, brushing.
Alternatively, you may give your dog specialized treats that help retard tartar and plaque build-up.
Once they’ve formed, though, they can’t be removed by just chewing and brushing. When this happens, you’re going to have to take your dog to the vet to get professional scaling and polishing.
Nails
Active dogs like labradors don’t need to get their nails trimmed every so often. They wear down naturally as they trot on the pavement or natural ground.
You should check the nails, though, to see if they need trimming. If they get too long, it could be uncomfortable for your dog, and are more susceptible to breaks and tears.
There’s also the risk of developing ingrown nails if they aren’t properly maintained. However, most dog owners are fearful about trimming their dog’s nails for many reasons.
One reason is that dogs are expectedly difficult to handle during this process. Most dogs don’t like their feet and paws being touched up.
Another reason is the possibility of accidentally nipping a part of the tissue where the nails are attached. In cases like this, your best option would be to bring your dog to your trusted veterinarian and let them work their magic.
Training
Handling Labrador Retrievers are a dream for most dog trainers. They’re always among the top 5 of the easiest dog breeds to train. They’re intelligent, playful, and innately curious, so they’re keen on taking instructions and obeying them.
Labs, like any other dog, benefit the most from early training and socialization. It’ll give them a solid foundation, which makes them even easier to manage as they grow up.
Lab owners find that this breed is food-motivated, so they take advantage of this characteristic to make the dog obey them. This should be used moderately, though, and sparingly as this could cause the dog to become obese.
Common Health Problems
Like any other dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are predisposed to breed-specific health problems. Below are the most common types. Check them out.
Obesity
This issue only comes up if the pup doesn’t get as much exercise and their owner isn’t keen on the dog’s diet. Sadly, obesity is a common issue among labradors.
Luckily, this can be prevented by giving lots of opportunities for your lab to run and play. Plus, it allows them to socialize with other dogs and humans.
Most importantly, give treats in moderation, and make sure that you give them a balanced diet. Good quality kibble should do the trick.
Ear Infections
Labrador Retrievers have a natural affinity to water. Getting their ears wet isn’t much of an issue, but their flaps may trap moisture.
This often leads to wax build-up and may cause inflammation and infection. Here are the symptoms of an ear infection that you should look out for:
- Swelling and redness in the ear canal
- Brown or yellow ear discharge
- Constant head tilting and shaking
- Foul odor
- Pawing or rubbing ears against surfaces or furniture
Conclusion
The history of the English and American Labradors reminds us so much of the movie Parent Trap. They come from the same parent breed but were later separated.
Despite looking exactly the same, they were bred and trained for different objectives, which altered a few physical characteristics. Yet, deep inside, they’re just the same clever, playful, and affectionate Labradors.
If you’re still deciding between yellow lab – English Labrador vs. American Labrador – it should be clear by now that you can have either one. There isn’t much diversity between them and the ways of caring for either kind are pretty much the same, anyway.