The Field Lab Vs. The English Lab
The Field Lab Vs. The English Lab
What's the difference? There are two styles of Labrador-the English Lab and the Field Lab. It is important to know the differences between the two because they have many different personality and physical characteristics.
The American Field Lab is, to put it mildly, an athlete! A taller stance, leaner and more muscular structure, and endless amounts of energy make this dog best suited for Field and Agility competitions, extreme swimming and all other activities that call for endless amounts of energy!
The American Field Lab is the Lab you will see in Field and Agility competitions, challenged only by the Border Collie.
Labradors bred for field trials and hunting have become commonly known as American type Labradors because they are much more common in the U.S.A.
Although the AKC does not officially recognize two styles of Labradors, thee is a huge difference between the two!
When I receive calls for my pups, I ALWAYS ask people if they know the difference between the two styles of dog and ask them if they have a fenced in yard for the dog to expend some of its energy! My dogs are all American Field Labs.
The English Lab is the dog you will see in AKC competitions where it is all about appearance. They are sometimes called "show dogs." The English Lab is shorter in stance, thicker in body, and has a larger head. The English Lab is much less energetic than its American counterpart, something that needs to be examined closely when purchasing a Lab.
English Labs are not the greatest swimmers, and are not very well suited for hunting and retrieving expeditions due to their tendency to tire quickly.
Bred for conformation, English Labradors are usually far closer to how the breed standard is written than the American type.
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Moose had an accident and took an injury to his eye so he is blind in an eye, but other wise healthy and happy! We couldn't have asked for a better pup.
Thank you Mike !
When we took our new friend Lady Bella to our veterinarian in Grayslake, for her rabies shot and initial office visit, the doctor exclaimed that Bella’s paperwork was the best she had ever seen. Detailed, highly organized, and right on target for other shots. She was extremely impressed and confirmed everything Mike told us to do for our new puppy’s future care.
The DNA and other testing he does on the dogs he breeds is really going the extra mile. You know what you’re getting.
Mike’s follow up with us after we took our puppy home, really put us at ease. He would call and text frequently to see how we were getting along with our Bella. He truly cares about his dogs!
Thanks Mike!
Matt @ Trinity
He talked us through everything we needed to know, from what to expect those first nights to how to help Teddy settle in with the kids. He sent us home with everything we needed for those first days, which made such a difference and took so much stress off our shoulders. He never rushed us, answered every question, and made sure we truly understood how to care for our new puppy.
What meant the most was that his support didn’t stop once we left. He checked in frequently to see how Teddy was doing and how we were adjusting as a family. Whenever we had a question, he would send helpful links and recommendations for anything we needed, from small adaptations at home to training tips as Teddy grew and changed.
He turned what felt like a huge step for our family into something that felt natural, supported, and joyful. Because of Mike, Teddy’s transition into our home was smooth and full of happy memories instead of stress. We are absolutely in love with our Teddy, and we are so grateful to have found a breeder who clearly loves his dogs and the families they go home to.
We recently brought home our new pup, Bear, and I cannot recommend Mike enough. From the very first phone call, it was clear that he isn’t just a breeder—he truly cares about the health, temperament, and future of every dog he raises.
Why We Chose Mike:
• Knowledgeable & Transparent: Mike was incredibly patient with all our questions. He walked us through the lineage, health clearances, and what to expect during the first few weeks at home.
• Nice Facility/Home: Visiting his setup in Mundelein, you can tell the dogs are raised in a clean, loving, and professional environment.
• Perfect Temperament: Our pup is not only stunning (that deep chocolate coat is gorgeous!) but is also calm, socialized, and clearly well-adjusted.
• Seamless Process: From the initial deposit to the day we picked him up, Mike kept us updated and made the entire experience stress-free.
It’s rare to find someone so dedicated to the breed. If you want a healthy, happy Lab from a breeder with integrity, Mike is your guy. We are so in love with our new family member!
Mike has stayed in touch with us since we bought Mackenzie. He’s offered advice and shared training videos.
I took Mackenzie to the vet for her rabies shot, and the vet said that she knows Mike. She said that Mackenzie is so sweet, like all of Mike’s dogs.
Thanks Mike!!
We spoke with several breeders prior to finding Mike’s website and were immediately impressed by the information and videos provided. Mike is very personable and truly cares about the health and well being of his dogs, and we greatly appreciate that he highly values full panel genetic and orthopedic testing. It also meant a lot that he cared about the home she was going to and that we are conscious pet owners. Mike was welcoming at his home and made it easy for our three kids (12, 8, 5) to interact with many of his dogs, all who were pleasant and personable toward us. He patiently spent time answering our long list of questions after our meeting and took extra time to provide information that ultimately made us feel confident in our decision.
Since adopting our girl almost a month ago, Mike has kept in touch, checking in to make sure everything is going smoothly. He has readily answered our questions and is genuinely interested in her development. We highly recommend reaching out to Mike!
- Michael
As for his puppies? Incredible temperament, quick to train and absolutely beautiful. Our sweet girl is a pure bred silver American Field Lab. Her parents Zeus and Jade, I'm convinced, make the most gorgeous labs. If you're looking for an athlete, look no further. The father, Zeus, is an absolute beast in the best possible way and Jade is incredibly sweet. The perfect combo. Thank you, Mike! You've given our family a gift.

