Asked on the Dog Forum by kellyn on 5/22/03, 6:15 pm
Q: labordors
Hello All ,
Just wondering if someone could help me on this one. I need to find out if there is a lab that has long hair and is full blood lab? If so please let me know thanks again
BrandyS
Answered by saecollies2 on 5/22/03, 7:20 pm
A: labordors
There technically is no such thing as a long haired Labrador however, there is a breed called the Flat coated retriever that has many similar (though not quite identicle) charcteristics and has a long coat. They, like the Lab originated from Newfounland and at one time was grouped along with some water retrieving breeds including the old Labs and several varieties of Newfoundlands. This bunch was loosly refered to at that time as Labradors but as with all modern breeds they were seperated and given their independant names and official standards.
Now I'm not saying there is no possibilty of a very poorly bred Lab having a long coat or some freak gene suddenly re-appearing and giving the dog in particular a longer than normal coat, after all there are tons of really big and tall Labs that actually hail back to an earlier larger version of the Labrador that is now technically speaking extinct. But the chances of a "coated" lab being produced without the introduction of another breed is very small.
Hope this helps.
Sherry E.
Answered by saecollies2 on 5/22/03, 7:27 pm
A: labordors
Just as verification, the Labrador coat should be firm or hard (no matter what the color variety) It should be short, very dense and without wave. When the standard says short they do not mean pit bull or greyhound short. Some areas on the back and legs can be as long as two to two and a half inches long.
When people refer to a dog as a Labrador they are refering to the "Labrador Retriever". This is the breeds 'proper' name and is a recognized breed.
Sherry E.
