Labradors are a popular dog species among the best pet dogs and are highly appreciated for their attractive, cute appearance.Labrador Retrievers are also known as Labradors or sometimes referred to as Labs by dog owners. Labrador Retrievers are a breed of retriever gun dog in Britain that were deployed from Canada as fishing dogs.A Labrador is a great family dog that has primarily two species, named English Labradors or English Labs and American Labradors or American Labs. Other commonly used names for the American Labrador include ‘hunting dog’, ‘working dog’, and ‘field dog’. English Labradors are a popular species of show dogs that are known or recognized for their appearance and training for shows. In comparison to American Labs, English Labs are calmer-bred family pets. Both types of Labrador species are known to have a double coat which helps them stay active even in cold water. This double coat works as a heat insulator for both species.American dogs are known to be working dogs because, in America, their training and exercise are done in a way that helps this type of Labrador to help people with disabilities. Both types of Labs are the best dog breeds known for their good family relationships, training, and exercise. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred in 1830 by British hunters as fishing dogs. The head of the Labrador Retriever is broad and flat, with ears close to the head on either side. At the same time, these types of Labs are also more prone to genetic health problems such as diabetes, heart problems, and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).Lab puppies look like small polar bear babies. An English Lab is more of a family dog, while an American Lab is more of a hunting dog. The weight of Labrador Retrievers varies from 55-80 lb (25-36 kg). Each type of Lab differs on the basis of its color, and the different types are known as yellow Labs, chocolate Labs, black Labs, and polar bear Labs, which are variations of the yellow Lab species. The polar bear puppy breeds’ appearance from head to toe is like a polar bear with shiny black eyes.If you enjoyed reading this article about American Lab vs. English Lab breeds, then do read some more interesting and surprising fun facts articles right here with Kidadl. We recommend that you read about Belgian Malinois vs. German Shepherd and Doberman vs. Rottweiler.English Lab vs. American Labrador: How can you tell the difference?The English Labrador and American Labrador differ in many ways, including color, size, weight, temperament, and activity level, among other things.The very basic difference between the English Lab and the American Lab is their body type and temperament. An English Lab is a type of Lab with a laid-back and calm temperament, while an American Lab is a type of Lab with a high energy level and a thin-tall body type. This is not the only difference, but there are many which can help you recognize the breed in a better way.Before you engage in knowing the difference, you should know the basic facts about each breed of English Lab and American Lab. The dog was bred in 1830 by the dog breed traders so that they could get a different species of canine. Hence, the Labrador Retriever breed of dog was produced.As trade continued between the two countries (America and Britain), the training and purpose of the dog species differentiated, making a wide difference between the two breeds of dog. An English Lab, also known as an English Labrador, is a double-coated Labrador Retriever, which is well recognized in Britain due to its calm and composed nature and behavior. An English Lab, or English Labrador Retriever, is a family pet breed or dog breed.An English Lab was originally bred from a dog species to compete in a dog or animal show. The English Labs are cute, obedient, smart, and well managed. English Labs were not that hard to train compared to American Labs. The way the English Lab was nurtured made it less active and more inclined to be a family pet. Labrador Retriever species required more playing and cuddling time.English Labs are also called show dogs or Labradors. The height of English Labs is 21.5-22.5 in (55-57 cm), while the weight of English Labs is 55-85 lb (25-38.6 kg). The color variation found in English Labradors is yellow and black. There are fewer chocolate Labs among English Labs, and breeding them is a rare occurrence.If you go by the appearance of English Labradors, then they are heavier, stockier, and rounder in their body shape. This is because English Labradors are not that hard to train as bred dogs. As English Labradors are the more preferred breed of dog by dog owners, they are also costlier ($800-2000). The American Lab, or American Labrador, was nurtured in the opposite way to the English Labrador. The American Labrador is more energetic with a high energy level and will enjoy hiking in the mountains. For this reason, the Labrador Retriever species in America was a hard-trained dog species commonly used for hunting. Because of this, this dog species was called ‘working dogs’.American Labradors were not only good at hunting, but along with that, they also protected the crop fields of their owners. With such hard exercise and training, American Labradors were leaner and thinner in their body type, with a narrower head. American Labs or American Labradors are called working dogs due to their hard-trained nurturing practices.If you go by the appearance of American Labs or American Labradors, then these Labrador Retrievers have a more sports-oriented body type. Due to hard training in the wild for hunting and protecting against animals, American Labs or American Labradors have an unlimited source of energy. The height of an American Labrador is 21.5-24. 5 in (54.6-62 cm), while the weight of the dog breed is 55-80 lb (25-36 kg).The types of subfamilies available among American Labradors or American Labs are yellow Labs, chocolate Labs, and black Labs. In addition to them, silver Labs and fox-red Labs can be found in American Labradors. American Labs have a thinner coat layer compared to English Labs. The cost of American Labs is $800-1200.Are there differences between English vs. American Lab types?Yes, there are major differences between English and American Labs. The energy levels of the dogs differ to a great extent, which also influences Labradors’ owners. However, apart from that, the color difference is also one of the important differences.If you go by the color difference, then an American Labrador has more color differences in comparison to an English Labrador. An American Labrador and an English Labrador have yellow and black in common, but chocolate Labs are rare in the English Labrador species. Apart from that, the American Labrador dog breed also has rare cases of silver and fox-red coated Labs. These Labrador Retrievers are considered different dog breeds because of the difference in where they were bred.It caused a major difference in the two dog breed species. There are more colored Labrador Retrievers among American Labradors because they are basically more oriented or trained for working or hunting in the fields. Individual dog breed traders in the United States were unconcerned about the color of Labrador Retrievers, whether they were yellow, black, or chocolate. The American Kennel Club for Labrador Retrievers has also noted the existence of a fox-Labrador mix dog.It is believed that, in Britain, chocolate-colored Labradors were not preferred by dog owners, so they must not have been bred. In 1830, even dog shows had some sort of bias against chocolate Labradors. Hence, chocolate Labradors were not bred in Britain. It is also believed that two chocolate-colored dogs are not bred due to the many underlying health issues which have developed in the breed.The research into these health problems is still under study and results are not yet proven. One theory has been given that a puppy of the chocolate color breed may develop two genes that would be recessive. The color of the dog species, whether an English Labrador or an American Labrador, be it yellow Labs, black Labs, or chocolate Labs, all have similar behavioral aspects irrespective of their coat color.Why are there differences between English and American Labs?The major reason for the difference between English Labradors and American Labradors is their origin, according to which each dog breed serves its purpose.So far, you’ve probably noticed that an English Labrador differs from an American Labrador in a variety of ways, including color, body type, temperament, and activity level, among other things. The English Labrador and the American Labrador are both breeds of dogs bred from Newfoundland’s St John’s water dogs. This dog breed was famous for fishing and pulling nets in the years around 1800 in Canada. In the year 1917, the American Kennel Club gave recognition to the Labrador Retriever dog breed.Till the year 1940, only one breed of dog was recognized, and later that year, a selective breeding trend was started. It was this trend of selective breeding that created a difference between these two dog breeds. They differed on the basis of their color and body type, along with differences in their behavior. English Labrador dogs were heavier and rounder because they were only trained for dog shows. Hence, they were called ‘show dogs’. In comparison to American Lab dogs, they were less active and had a low energy level, had a thick fur coat, and lacked the resilience to train hard.English Lab dogs are known for their calm, quiet nature, following each command of their trainer in a playful way. Whereas, the dogs bred in America had gone through hard training and had a thin body and fur coat. The energy level of American Lab dogs is higher in comparison to English Lab dogs. American Labradors are the type of dogs known for their hunting skills, lean bodies, and thin coats, while English Labradors are the type of dogs known for their sedentary and tiresome position watching other dogs moving around. These reasons created a difference between the two species due to geographical location along with the purpose for which these two dog breeds were trained in ancient times.Energy Level And Temperament Of English LabsThe energy level of English Labs is low and their temperament is calmer and more catered towards their owners and other humans.The English Labrador is a more sluggish and sedentary breed of dog with a low level of energy in comparison to the other breeds of this species. This is basically due to its heavy body type and the way an English Lab was nurtured in the past. The English Lab puppy was either just brought up to be kept as a pet or for the dog shows that used to happen in 1830. Apart from that, the English Lab’s energy levels were low due to their body weight.This made the English Lab more of a family pet dog and less suited to the outside environment. Apart from that, an English Lab’s temperament is more kind due to their natural way of nurturing. An English Lab puppy is more expensive in comparison to an American Lab puppy, but these dogs from Britain are more easy-going with both young people and adults. All an English Lab requires is love, cuddles, and playtime with toys. This dog breed is easy to handle and care for without being aggressive in terms of its behavior.Differences In Disposition And Energy LevelThe American Labrador species is inquisitive, active, and has high energy levels, while the English Labrador species is less active, more sedentary, and a calm kind of dog species.Both the above dogs differ from each other just on the basis of their geographical location. However, even the energy level of the two dogs has been adapted and trained according to the needs of people living in a particular area. Labrador dogs found in America were more oriented towards hunting and working in the fields, while Labrador dogs found in Britain were more accustomed to living with families or doing simple dog shows to entertain people in the audience.So, these few particular aspects created a difference in the energy level of the two Labrador dogs. Their body difference creates a major difference in the energy level of the two Labrador dogs. An American Labrador and an English Labrador are both similar and different at the same time.Personality Traits And Temperament Of Both BreedsThe two Labrador dogs differ from each other in a variety of aspects, specifically color, body build, behavior, and level of energy, among many other things.On the basis of color, the two Labrador dogs, i.e. an American and an English Labrador, have yellow and black as common colors, while chocolate-colored English Labrador dogs are a rare exception to the American Labrador dogs. Black Labs are considered to be the smartest. English Lab dogs are renowned for their calm and peaceful temperament, along with being playful, loving and great at following their trainer’s commands. The dogs raised in America, on the other hand, have undergone specialized training. These dogs had a much more slender body and fur coat.In comparison to English Lab dogs, American Lab dogs tend to have a higher energy level. The English Lab has a stocky body build with short legs and a thick fur coat. They also have what some people describe as an otter-like tail, while an American Lab had a whiptail with a lean and slender body build trained for hunting. These dogs have long legs. The yellow Labs in both species have further color variations, such as the white polar bear Labrador. Polar bear Labradors originally had skin melanin changes in their yellow fur coats, which now appear to be white or cream in color.Which Labrador is more prone to obesity?The English Labrador is more prone to obesity due to the fact that it less frequently engages in physical activity and exercise.From a young pup to an adult dog, English Labrador dogs are more often kept as pets because of their easy-going, calm nature. Every family member can easily deal with them, from young to old. When it comes to their obesity, these dogs are more prone to obesity just because they are sluggish and sedentary by nature. This makes their coats thicker and heavier.Even so, they develop health issues of the heart if they are not taken care of properly. Obesity is not only a problem among humans but also among dogs. As a result, the type of dog food you feed your English Labrador must be considered. It should have less fat or carbohydrates, depending upon the advice of your vet. As they grow into adults, their neck, along with their tail, becomes thick.English Lab vs. American Lab: Which is the best for you?It depends on what type of dog you want to keep as your pet, either the one that is more energetic and protective or the one that is more homely and loving. Everyone will have a different opinion on this matter and that is OK.There is no direct answer to the question above because every individual’s needs and personality vary from each other. Some people prefer a kind of dog that is very protective with a high energy level, while a few might like to spend their time with dogs that are much more quiet, calm, and composed. So, both species of dog, whether they be English Labs or American Labs, are good for your family. It just depends upon the suitability and type of needs that you and your family have.As with all of the facts above, you must have been well acquainted with both species and the kind of dog that suits your family. Just go with ease and try to adopt one rather than buy one. If we take our own individual initiative, then, of course, a day is not that far away in which we can help the animals out there to be part of our families. If you want a calm-tempered Labrador, adopt an English Labrador, but, if you want a hunting or working dog full of curiosity, then you should adopt an American Labrador. Just try to take care of the one you adopt to your best ability and treat it like any other family member.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for ‘American Lab vs. English Lab’, then why not take a look at ‘Labradoodle temperament’ or ‘Labrador Retriever fun facts for kids’?
Labradors are a popular dog species among the best pet dogs and are highly appreciated for their attractive, cute appearance.
