"Wow. She's a big girl." "She never misses a meal." " Look at those rolls." 

These are phrases my yellow lab hears whenever she meets a new human friend. I see her tail wagging, but I know her self esteem plummets. There's black labs, yellow labs, chocolate labs, even silver and red labs. But did you know that there's also English and American labs? The labrador retriever actually originated in Newfoundland, Canada. English nobles then brought some labradors home to England. Based on their breeding and local conditions, the English lab subtype was born. English labs are generally stockier with a blockier body with thick legs, a thick neck, and a thick coat. Their sibling, the American lab typically has a lean body with longer legs, a narrower skull, longer muscles, and a thinner coat. Their temperments are slightly different as well. English labs tend to be more calm and sweet with less energy. They were bred to be show dogs where as the American lab was bred more for hunting. They typically have more energy. Few people are aware that there are two types of labradors with different body shapes. Time after time, people meet my English lab and comment on how she needs to go on a diet. In reality, she is at a very healthy weight. They really are just criticizing her natural body shape that she was born into. Can you really criticize someone for being big boned? Or having short legs? Not to mention, isn't it her personality that should really matter? Her sweet demeanor and eagerness to please should be enough to make everyone fall in love with her- rolls and all. Donate today to help us raise awareness for English labs and spread body positivity among the community for both two and four legged friends!