Indiana State Fair -

Department of Natural Resources

Education Mobile Unit -

Public speaking on Labrador Retrievers.

Pictured: (L to R) Kruse, Bomber, Susan Burton, Dale Brummett, Rocky, Bronson, Brandi Davis and Bravo.

Dale & Bomber

Dale Brummett representing the Hoosier Labrador Retriever Club by public speaking on Labrador Retrievers.

Dale & Breezy

Susan & Kruse

Here is the program that Dale Brummett covered to all in attendance:

Welcome my name is Dale Brummett, I am a Labrador Retriever breeder located in Kirklin, IN. I am a member of the Hoosier Labrador Retriever Club.  Those here with me tonight are John Davis - President of the HLRCInc, his daughter Brandi Davis and Susan Burton.

Labrador Retrievers come in 3 colors, black, yellow and chocolate.Labrador Retrievers are used for many purposes such as companionship, conformation, hunting, obedience, agility and service work. Breeders are striving to improve the breed and maintain the qualities that have made the Labrador Retriever the number #1 breed in America. There are many parts of the Lab that breeders will look at to improve their lines. Remember there is an AKC standard. There are no perfect Labs, some may look and behave better than others. The Lab is like a puzzle with many pieces.  Remove a piece of the puzzle and you have a incomplete Lab.

Head:

· Broad skull, short muzzle but adequate to pick up game.

· Eye color and correct eye look (diamond shape); A kind expression

· Ear shape and length

· Teeth - full detention, scissor bite is desirable - level is acceptable

· Pigmentation - yellows are black - age and winter will change the nose color on yellows. Chocolates have a liver colored nose

Neck:

· Nice reach of neck to pick up game and eat food off the floor with out straining.

Shoulders:

· Laid back shoulder provide better reach of movement

Front legs:

· Standing and movement the legs should be straight

Elbows:

· Nicely tucked to body and must be x-rayed to determine by OFA if clear.

Muscle tone:

· Nice muscling for legs, shoulder, upper arm and rear thigh to provide equal reach and push while in motion.

Bone size:

· Nice bone size that will be able to take the punishment of movement and retrieving or service work.

Paws:

· Labs have webbed paws for swimming.

· Cat paws vs. splayed feet.

· Keep tails trimmed back

· Ankle should support the body, not laid down

Top line - Back:

· The top line or length of back should equal the height of the dog to be balanced.

· Standard calls for a short coupled, but not to short to take away from the movement

Ribs:

· Well ribbed to support the heart and lungs

Coat:

· Double coat - topcoat coarse to touch, undercoat to repel water.

Mature Labs will have a top line to match the bottom line.

Hips:

· Free moving, must fit tight into the socket and be x-rayed and examined by OFA to provide the breeder with an OFA rating. No dog should be bred if it is mild or severely dysplastic.

Rear legs:

· Standing or movement should be straight - back legs need to follow the front legs.

· Angulation be adequate and not be straight from the rump to the ground.

Tail:

· The classic otter tail is preferred

· The tail should come right off the top and displaying a straight top line.

· The tail length should never go past the rear hock

· The coat on the tail should not be feathered but tightly woven

· While in movement or during expression a friendly tail that wags is preferred.

Litters:

· 63 day gestation period

· Puppies open eyes around 12-14 days

· Personalities at 3 weeks old

· Weaned at 4-5 weeks old

· At 6 weeks old, shots, microchipping, vet checked, wormings

· Introduce to birds at 6-8 weeks old

· Most breeders let puppies go home at 8 weeks old

Puppy obedience:

· Training begins at 12-16 weeks

· Ensure you have the bordatella (Preventative for kennel cough) given, 2nd series of shots and rabies.

Labs need:

· Daily exercise or they become fat and bored. Bored labs can destroy and get into trouble.

· Routine

· Crate trained if kept indoors

· Fence in yard a must

Home: blackrocklabs

Updated 8/14/04 at 11:10 p.m.