English Labrador Retriever | Purchasing & Training Considerations

Join Uncle Stonnie for a hiking and retrieving session as he talks about training, living with, and purchasing an English (Show) Labrador Retriever. As a bonus, our new Field Labrador puppy, Annie, tags along for a little comparing and contrasting.
00:00 Intoduction Coal and Annie, our new puppy
01:08 Walking and Retrieving
05:22 Retrieving Differences Between Field & Show Lines
12:07 Brush Pile Challenge
16:26 Final Thought On Training Schedules and Expecatations
I hope you guys enjoy!
If you would like more information about our services, heres a link to our website: kentuckycanine.com/
If you would like to see some cool photos, here's a link to our instagram: / stonniedennis
#labradorretriever #dogtraining #puppytraining #labradorretriever #retrievertraining #labpuppy #retriever

[@StonnieDennis]

Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure

[@boatman2628]

Stonnie, We are huge fans and owners of a 8 month old English chubby. I have to say that this is my favorite video of yours! Marty is just like Cole and I have been a little frustrated with his lack of retrieve drive. He LOVES treats and will work if he knows he is going to get paid LOL! Thank you so much for all your hard work educating all of us amateurs out here in the world! Marty (the lab) and I absolutely loves to watch your videos! thanks again

[@seanmccaffrey6378]

Great video as always,I’ve got a 10 month old English lad ,I’m in England and we’ve only got English labs but mines from a working strain,always full on and never able to wear him out! We’ve still got the Chunky monkey labs for less active owners,mines a large lean dog and retrieves everything! Even a lot things that don’t need retrieving ! I really enjoy your training methods excellent as always with common sense!

[@RatdogDRB]

Always a pleasure Stonnie. Little Annie's prime No Name wannabe status. What a little cutie she is. Coal's a good boy, a handsome feller too.

[@petenelson8136]

Very timely video. We had an English Lab, and are getting another English Lab. Your instructions on adding space to a retrieving so the dog doesn't drop and look at you reminds me of our previous lab. She would retrieve 5 times and then say that was it. Had we moved away maybe she'd retrieve a bit more. Working the next dog into adventure training will be a big part of it's training. We now live on 16 acres with 2 streams, one pond, trees and pastures so we've got an excellent area to do adventure training. Thanks for showing all of us what you do, it's really helped me to adjust my thought processes on training dogs.

[@bambiprice8186]

Oh my gosh it's so true I have a long legged blonde American. She's athletic and high energy. Startin to slow though she'll be 12 in November. But when we went to pick out a pup from the litter she held back and didn't run up to us. She was so docile and turned out to be so obedient and active and a lovable all around great pet!

[@maryjanelee8287]

Love watching Annie’s puppy antics!!! But I bet Cole would welcome a hug anytime his owner is so inclined❤

[@hanswurst2220]

@Stonnie Dennis: Big fan here :) In Germany we also call them the 2 "lines" of Labrador Retrievers: 1. Working Line and 2. Show Line.

[@compa4929]

I wish I had seen this video 13yrs ago when I was training my English Lab. The only time he was mostly reliable in retrieving was in the water. But he would tire quickly and become disinterested. Now I know for the future.

[@vikingdogmanship]

They are the best friend you could ever ask for🥰

[@geraldb9706]

What a great episode. This is my Saje, a chocolate English Lab to a tee. I chuckled a lot at all the familiar tendencies you mentioned, but also picked up some very good pointers on what not to do and what to do. Even with my six year old lab I can see where I can change things up. Thanks as always for sharing your time and knowledge with us Stonnie. Peace and Calm. 👍🏻😎🇨🇦

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you for watching!

[@danielprats711]

Wow, great video. I have learned a LOT about my 2year old lab in this short video! Thanks!

[@johndavie1953]

Thanks for videos! FWIW: I have 16 month British lab that does not fit the mold you describe for English labs. She’s not a “chubby”, but comes from a breeder that uses UK stock to develop upland hunting dogs that are also great family pets. Just throwing that out there for ppl since I think there is definitely a subset of English labs that are very good hunters and pretty driven, and have good temperaments for being chill at home, and are not the show dogs you describe.

[@StonnieDennis]

Notice that you initially said “British Lab”, which is another marketing term. I talk about that fairly often and have quite a few in my videos.

[@cjbuildersinc]

My 6m english cubby will race my mini-aussie/corgi mix to the retrieving item, and when he wins he picks it up and then drops it for HER to carry back. As someone who grew up with field labs I never realized how different the drive was between the two strains. Towards the end of our adventures he's glued to my hip and won't even walk in the high stuff anymore lol.

[@StonnieDennis]

Ha! I see that everyday!

[@glusur99mom]

Thanks for the video - like always love your videos and explanations. Our previous English lab Charlie was very good looking, liked to socialize and was food driven! Our newest black American lab, Bandit, loves to retrieve nonstop and is not big on socializing, but he loves to eat! I always look forward to your videos. Thank you.

[@katb6294]

Lol! We bought a show yellow (white) lab because we wanted a calmer dog... He has more energy and drive than any lab I've met yet! He is the energizer bunny reincarnated. Totally fearless and has amazing balance and coordination! I really want to see him at work one day

[@StonnieDennis]

Track you exercise session intensity and duration, then make adjustments accordingly. Energy management is all about finding the right balance!

[@elizabethharrell8707]

that lil puppy is so cute!

[@allaboutroofing2]

He's a beautiful dog

[@jrsupstateny]

Great advice!

[@fritzaroo]

Watching this is so funny I have a register English Chocolate 8 yo he / it is so friendly to anyone, walks on beach here in Alaska if see’s someone 20 yd out he runs even if I say NO (must sound like I say GO) it alway ends up tail wagging and everyone loves his greetings… he is over weight (114) with thyroid problems which he is taking meds Barney is such a good boy…

[@AprilLBolton]

We have a 3 year old lab (hybrid bred) he's beautiful but works like a crazy dog. We have to stop him because he will just keep going, and will retrieve ANYTHING! He's totally best of both worlds.

[@randygreenfield4312]

Nice video, good looking dogs and beautiful property!

[@jeantemplemeyer366]

She’s beautiful!

[@slmjake]

SIR you are awesome sir! My favorite video!! My wife picks out English Labs from Judy who is now in WVA. LAST pup was a beautiful Red English. Now we have a 3 year old Black English lab. Both retrieve well but are lazy lol! Our current one is so gun shy and I haven't gotten past that yet. Thanks for your expertise sir.

[@whispermason8052]

Well, first of all, they are adorable.

[@purplemartinracingteam1750]

beautiful property and dogs stonnie. if i get another english boy, i'm bringing him to you

[@MrGomjabber]

great vid, I see this so much with my two dogs. I have a English and a Field lab/golden retriever mix. I take them on walks to the lake and I will do some fetching. The english will race her on the first throw and after that he just hangs in the shallows and she retrieves every throw I make. He will crouch in the shallows as she gets close to bringing me the dummy and try to take it from her. Tug of war ensues. Good times. I don't hunt them btw, not why I got them.

[@johnotooledoggames2336]

🇮🇪 very good video sharing excellent

[@zoecrowhurst9177]

We love watching your videos and hearing your commentary. My husband and I are learning so much. I have watched for a long time as we prepared to move across country and wanted to wait to get our pup until settled. I’m so grateful for all the pearls of wisdom you have shared! ... It’s so funny, the longer I watch the more I realize realistically we are more of a “English/show” family rather than “field/smerican”. Although I will say I think they’re both gorgeous types of dog. I think it’s so sad when a family gets a dog and they’re not the right fit and then the dog seems like they’re in trouble all the time. I think people have to be really honest with themselves when picking a type of dog that will work with their family/lifestyle. Not picking what they would like to think their lifestyle is 😂 Question: We have been speaking to a breeder who intentionally combines British/show with American/field. She says she feels she gets a good middle of the road personality, and very strong health. Wondering your thoughts on this?

[@desiree2654]

Hello from a fellow lover of Labradors! I found your question regarding the breeder you are interested in really intriguing! I'm curious & would love to know. Did you go with that breeder? And if so, is the behavior as stated?

[@urban_birddog]

Is Annie your latest personal dog? Congrats if she is I look forward to seeing her grow up!

[@juliehenderson1672]

If English labs have such a high food drive, should a meal be used as treats while training? To prevent overweight issues.

[@adamw4469]

“You a very nice dawg…” ❤

[@yesdvt]

He almost ran over that small poppy at 4:19, what a dope.

[@johnkelly4043]

Love your vids. I’m in trouble. I have a 6mos American Lab which is 100 mph with his hair on fire. He’s awesome but omg! I’m too old for all this……. He is Rico’s twin. Might be making a trip to the magic dog farm in Lexington soon.

[@adventureswithnickhead6984]

Great video. Great info. My English is pretty inline with all this, but I will say if there are training treats involved he will retrieve over and over again! And he’s a big boy. 85 lbs. My biggest complaint about owning an English is running into ignorant folks that say he’s fat!

[@bets6409]

Yup. And try to temper it by patting his own big belly.

[@heidirosendahl9120]

Right? Our big boy is a lean, fit 100lbs.

[@xanderbaldwyn3980]

Hi Stonnie, I was wondering from which breeder come from Mr. No Name and Annie, they are superb Labradors. Thank in advanced!

[@davidjohnston468]

Great video. Been watching for a couple of years. What I have noticed is that the English, or show bred have gotten blockier and blockier over the years. Some of my buddies go nuts for a "big square head". Almost without exception, these labs end up overweight and not terribly active by six years old or so. Personally, I greatly prefer the look of a hunting lab. I have seen extremes here as well. Too much uncontrolled energy and not great in a family home.

[@StonnieDennis]

It’s funny how preferences change over the years. Thanks for watching!

[@Ryan-vo3rm]

I'm actually surprised to hear that English Labs don't have the retrieve drive, because our female English Lab that's all she wants to do and play. She actually retrieves better than my cousins American Standard Lab. I'm not sure why but maybe it's the way I trained her, and I did the exact same thing about getting distance in between.. sometimes I would throw a ball far then I run away fast a hide in the brush, she would run so fast to look for me and I could tell she was a bit scared of losing me. In the end I think it also helped also with not getting to far away from me off leash, she'll only go about 150 ft away then turn to see where I am then come back if I'm too far. It's kinda perfect, anyway I believe you cause I can tell in your video that Cole is definitely an English Lab and he is definitely not eager like Hershey my dog.. not even close to the same energy level and Hershey is 4 yrs old. Love your videos Stonie you helped me in training my dog

[@StonnieDennis]

There are a lot of variables in play but here’s a simple way to think of it; breeders focus on developing specific traits and tendencies which suit their their personal hierarchy of preferences. The balancing act of managing higher and lower order preferences is what gives rise to line divergence. Maybe a simple way to explain it is with this analogy: If you want to buy an automobile you can have increased towing capacity or increased fuel mileage, but you can rarely have both so you have to choose which is more important. The automakers produce a wide variety of vehicles to suit a wide variety of consumer preferences and dog breeders produce a wide variety of dogs to meet consumer preferences. I’m either case the consumer must make an objective evaluation of their needs or ultimately they end up disappointed. .

[@uaigneach34]

Can confirm, my girl is 10 months old "american" lab and will rather die before she stops retrieving for me.

[@angelaclute1816]

We are getting our first American lab soon!

[@sofluid]

To be fair though…there are lots of field/hunting english lab championship lines. I suppose eventually they should just change this colloquial description of american and english to either show bred, hunting, and casually bred miscellaneous haha. But man do i love a good lab ❤❤. Love these videos….i really wish that these videos were daily though 😄

[@jamiecory3799]

Wish he would distinguish. It’s very deceiving.

[@yogiyoda]

Don't rule out shelter dogs as retrievers. I walk dogs at my local shelter and there are some dogs there that LIVE for fetch. They will retrieve as many times as you throw rain or shine. If you get an adult dog, there is no guess work either. It doesn't matter about their parents and grandparents you can see their temperament and personality for yourself. Sometimes dogs end up in shelter because they have too much drive for their city folk owners but would be right at home hunting and working

[@gordonnodrogthomson]

A fine dog trainer!

[@lolapasztoralvarez4668]

Thank you for you vidéos, your style is unique and i like it :)) I watch u from France. I would like to ask if u could make a video about how to advice or tips u could give to people who already got a dog and made the wrong choice breed. My friend is 68 years old not sportive and a Samoyède (sled dog) 3 years old with a looot of energy. I told her to ride bike, to play hide, climb on a hill, as I do but it’s hard for her. She is always scared the dog run far away doesn’t come back.

[@StonnieDennis]

That’s a good video idea. Thank you!

[@salvatorfarms6811]

Top of the day to you Stonnie! I have 2 black American Labnradors that need training. They’re both are 7 months old & brothers, if you could give me some advice or train them that would be great thanks!

[@danpatrick9080]

There are always exceptions. My English is a retrieving monster and duck getter. Her favorite is pheasant I know I got lucky and my new pup is an American style...they don't notice any difference

[@kensummers7757]

Hope you get a chance to come to England and meet our "real" field Labs. What you call English Labs are show dogs. "Chunky"! Our field dogs are a lot lighter, small versions of what you call American Labs.

[@erictilson2943]

Stonnie, I am a huge fan of yours and your training methods. I have commented before that I have an English Lab. She will be 1 year old on November 6th. She is your favorite color black. ☺. Her name is Leia. I'm a Star Wars fan. Lol. Any way wanted to tell you I started training her at 8weeks old and her drive for retrieving is there. However I am struggling with having her release it to me consistently. She thinks it's more tug a war still like a game. Any suggestions or tips i could try? I am also going to start training her to be my disability and therapy dog as I have epilepsy and I just met with my specialist with his dog at OHSU in Portland, OR. Thanks for all that you do I pray you have a blessed day. Thanks again, Eric Tilson

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you for watching! Good luck with your pup!

[@chickadddee]

To be truly fair Stonnie, you should show a Show Lab curled up by the fire, or stretched out in the middle of the kitchen floor, so that we can see what they're really good at. Just kidding of course. I find all the Labs to be beautiful. I even find some of the really square show dogs to be less pretty than a field lab....but I want a laid back dog. Oh well!

[@dianachavez147]

Stonnie, I have a Labrador that is half English / half American lab. He is almost 6 months old. He eats a lot and has a lot of energy. Should I expect him to have both personalities?

[@KR-os6nn]

Hey Stonnie, what is a low dander and low doggie smell alternative breed to the black English/show lab? I enjoy their temperament, easygoing, from what I’ve seen. Had an amazing Doberman years ago. He was high energy for me though. Husband wants a heeler or Aussie. I’ve considered a poodle. I would love to hear your thoughts. Do you have breed recommendations or visits for people without dogs at your kennel?

[@2023Red]

What is the official name for the new puppy by breed? Field Bred Lab? And what is idea age for buying one? And what is the number one criteria for choosing one from a normal sized litter? Thanks

[@JalenaTheSuperMutt]

English labs are usually not hunting dogs. American labs are.

[@kpfly1]

What do you do for fleas and ticks with all this woods trainning? Thanks

[@ronvanr5359]

I wouldn't call Annie ugly. I'm sure she will grow into a beautiful dog, if her family doesn't want her, I'd be happy to take her off their hands.

[@nagazinafireworks7594]

Stoney why do you use the clicker do you use it constantly

[@GRocksDrums]

Uncle Stonie, do you know what breeder in Ohio the retired Air Force veteran purchased Coal at?

[@desiree2654]

I second this question! Ty 🐾

[@2023Red]

Donnie. Can you recomment a Lab breeder in the area? Looking for confirmation.

[@danpatrick9080]

In california a wood pile like that would be avoided as being snakey

[@run2fire]

From Ohio? He is a Buckeye Labrador

[@desiree2654]

Go Bucks!

[@DadRides]

You are 21 hours from me but I am considering bringing my (future) chocolate lab to you to be a house dog that goes hunting as much as possible. Would love to chat about it

[@peterscheuer9118]

Bummer, my American bred black lab is a excellent hunter at one year. Oh well, that dog is bag handler...

[@chubbygallasso]

Looks exactly like one of my dogs......but not English......you have American labs but not "english" .

[@StonnieDennis]

LOL thanks for informing me about Labs…

[@chubbygallasso]

@@StonnieDennis I'm obviously wrong then .....I thought you had labs and American labs...not English as originally obviously Canadian. So where does " English" come from?

[@MrPrediluted]

We have an English Labrador, but he is closer to a field lab... He has a good off switch, but will play fetch with balls, sticks, rocks, frisbee, etc until he's exhausted, and has alot of drive. Probably closer to a European line field lab than an American style English lab. Point being, these are generalizations, but can still have high drive English labs and lazy field labs.

[@StonnieDennis]

If you want to talk specifics, then just look at your dogs pedigree and see where it was bred and for what purpose. Did your pup come from England? Did it come from America but was marketed as an English Labrador with a show line pedigree? Did it come from America but was marketed as being bred along British field lines? In which case was it actually marketed as a British Lab? Did you simply buy a Lab and are now trying to describe it without any pedigree research to back up your claims? If you don’t like generalities, you are welcome to be as specific as you like.

[@laurakiffmeyer9221]

Labragoat 🤣

[@lesscott4301]

That dog has not been trained for the field and is NOT typical of an English working Lab. Instead of this ,watch Mordor Gundogs for how dogs working in UK.

[@StonnieDennis]

Should have watched the video before commenting…