Who Should Not Own Our Dogs?
While we believe our Labradors are well suited for virtually
all uses, some American dog owners would perhaps be more comfortable with Labradors of
American breeding.
Specifically, Labrador owners who have become conditioned to heavy, continual use of the electric collar typically are not well matched with our Labradors, or for that matter our springer spaniels.
Also, Americans intent on running American field trials in most instances would be better suited with American Labradors. Certainly we have bred dogs that have competed and won in trials. But the type of hard-going, tough dogs required to excel in American trials are usually better sought from American breeders.
This is because our dogs, while eager in the field, generally have very soft, biddable temperaments, and are best trained by a kind, consistent handler who defines what it is he/she wants of the animal, and offers praise when that behavior is given.
It is true that many of our dogs have received advanced training with the electric collar. The collar's use is particularly applicable at the Master level of retriever hunt tests, for example, wherein dogs are required, as with American field trials, to run long, straight lines on blinds. Training of this kind is often aided with the use of a collar, provided the user is knowledgeable and experienced.
It should be remembered that the collar remains virtually unused in England, and that dogs there are routinely trained to high degrees of proficiency without it.
