Belgian on a nice day (Photos!!)

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:29 pm

With all the bad stuff that has happened with my friend I figured I would take some pictures of the beautiful brown creature who puts a smile on my face every day. This is him in my front yard one sunny afternoon like last week. We had just got done with our training excersises for the day so he has his sporn halter on. Warning: There is alot of photos as I am a photographyholic. I like to experiment with different things so this was was my result

WendyM · Post by **WendyM** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:30 pm

OMGosh he is beautiful!

Great photography skills-- I usually manage to snap the most unflattering pictures of my dogs rear ends.

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:40 pm

Thanks. Right now I am trying to get him to look more like a english lab should. During winter both of us gained a few more pounds then we should of. So we lost all the weight and now are building muscle.

Thanks too about the photography comment. I love taking photos it's a hobby of mine. I hope to get a big fancy camera one day but right now I am using a Nikon CoolPix. I usually use bait when taking pictures of Belgian. His stuffed husky or treats usually works for me. I try to get the most I can out of my photos. Belgian and I both have fun during our photoshoots. I get alot of bad shots too. I just delte them though and keep the ones that I especially like.

Thanks again

Mollysmom · Post by **Mollysmom** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:01 am

What a handsome Gent he is! I love labs, they've got faces to melt the stoniest of hearts. (Molly's pretty, but she tends to give you the O.o look lol)

ckranz · Post by **ckranz** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:09 am

NOw thats one happy lab. Must be the chocolate LOL

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:09 am

LOL. thankyou. The bad things about Labs are even when they are all grown up they still look like puppies in their own way and all of the labs I have ever known are masters at the puppy dog face. Today I walked into my kitchen. Belgian knows the kitchen is off-limits. I close the fridge door and look and he is sitting in the living room right on the border of the kitchen watching me with his big hazel eyes and one of his stuffed animals in his mouth. He had a perfect sit and everything. I felt so bad so I made him do a trick then gave him one of his treats ( that are shaped as a football because it's football season lol). Labs are masterminds at getting around things.

Nettle · Post by **Nettle** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:37 am

Such a handsome chap!

Please would you tell me the differences between American and English labs? Over her in UK the differences are between the show labs (big heavy dogs with massive heads, can have temperament issues in the males) working labs (small, stocky, thick tails, lovely natures and strong work ethic) and trialling labs (small, lighter build, thin tails, rather hyper).

Chloe&Atlas'smom · Post by **Chloe&Atlas'smom** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:40 am

What a great looking guy!! those pics are great! I am no good at taking pictures either!

Bellezza · Post by **Bellezza** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:02 am

He's beautiful! I love that face! Abby has one of those faces as well, unfortunately for us....haha. I can never get my photos to turn out that well either. Granted, our camera is not the best. Awww...I just love looking at those pictures! I want to play with him! Haha.

dobiemuse · Post by **dobiemuse** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:00 pm

Nice pictures! Looks like you had a lot of fun!

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:00 pm

Nettle wrote:Such a handsome chap!

Please would you tell me the differences between American and English labs? Over her in UK the differences are between the show labs (big heavy dogs with massive heads, can have temperament issues in the males) working labs (small, stocky, thick tails, lovely natures and strong work ethic) and trialling labs (small, lighter build, thin tails, rather hyper).

English Labs are also known as show/bench/british/european labs. American Labs are also known as working/field line labs. I live in the U.S. and with many reputable breeders of labs they are referred to as English and American labs. I do not know why. I have actually read that our Labrador Retriever clubs are trying to get the AKC to split the two lines apart as their temperment, body structures are very different. I do agree with this as I have had both lines and there are a mass difference between them. Many people in America are not familiar with the english lines especially seeing them in chocolate. Our back yard breeders typically breed American line or cross the two.

I have never heard of a trailling lab but from your discription I would have to put them with our Field line labs. All labs should have a thick otter tail as this was a desired trait when breeding them. It works as a rudder to help them swim.

English /Show/Bench/ European/British line labs are typically stocky, otter tail, thick block head, usually calmer but still have energy, bigger in weight, more laid back and very sweet. However they are more prone to joint problems. I find themoff working as service dogs, companions, show rings, sometimes agility, therapy work,etc.

American/Field/Working line labs are typically taller, have a bullet head, somewhat small head, the majority have very high activity levels, smaller in weight,otter tail and thin. They are perfect dogs to have in Flyball, Agility, Frisbee, hunting, SAR, drug dogs,etc.

People who are first time lab owners I reccomend on getting a english lab. For more experienced lab owners I do reccomend American labs depending on your activity level. Both lineages need excersise, proper diets, training,etc. However the excersise amount may vary on the lineage and the dog itself.

Thanks by the way. I love snapping photos.

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:04 pm

Nettle wrote:Such a handsome chap!

Please would you tell me the differences between American and English labs? Over her in UK the differences are between the show labs (big heavy dogs with massive heads, can have temperament issues in the males) working labs (small, stocky, thick tails, lovely natures and strong work ethic) and trialling labs (small, lighter build, thin tails, rather hyper).

I just read the whole temperment issue thing. This is not a desired trait in Labradors at all. This breed is actually supposed to be dog tolerant, human tolerant, and other animal tolerant at all times ( This does involve training too by the way) I am quite shocked at the statement. This would be a result of the over breeding people have done in labs. I know not all labs are model citizens but this was never supposed to be a issue for the breed.

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:26 am

ckranz I agree I think it has to do with the chocolates. Everyone knows that the chocolates always have the most fun. LOL jk

Monkey · Post by **Monkey** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 12:58 pm

He is so pretty

adorable photos!!

lablver2 · Post by **lablver2** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 5:31 pm

Thank you. It's funny this guy used to be the runt of the litter and look at him now. He's actually the most healthiest, the strongest, the biggest and tallest of the litter. Ha Ha. I took him to PetsMart one day and this little 12 week old chocolate lab pup came up to him. He sniffed the pup, sat down and cocked his head up at me. I just looked at him and told him Yes Belgian you were that small once too. I think he forgets his size. If I am on the floor with him he comes and lays right next to me like he did as a puppy.