If you had to choose.. Lab or Spaniel?

[Judy]

Cockers then Flatcoats, I'm not old enough for a Springer yet never mind a Lab.

[trekmoor]

Having owned a lab that worked as a spaniel in the beating line and did picking up and rough shooting and wildfowling yet still won trials I think I'd go for the lab as being a more all round useful dog. Depends upon the "nature" of the lab I suppose.
The thing I like about cockers is that they can do what I now need dogs for and can get 3 of them into my vehicles cage but can only get one lab in there ! My car's cage takes 3 cockers or 2 springers or one lab !
Wullie

[Stacia]

It all depends what you want to use the dog for? Though I was out today with a fantastic spaniel who was doing 300 yard retrieves and then over a ditch. He also hunted in the manner spaniels are meant to hunt.

I wouldn't entertain a spaniel as they are on the go all the time and you have to keep on top of them! Labs or HPRs for me every time. But in a nutshell it is really 'horses for courses'

[madrags]

I wouldn't entertain a spaniel as they are on the go all the time and you have to keep on top of them!

All my springers have been very laid back at home. Rowf is hard hunting in the beating line, but is equally happy as my no-slip peg dog. Link is busier, but never strays too far from me. I'd never have anything but a springer.

[ips]

I wouldn't entertain a spaniel as they are on the go all the time and you have to keep on top of them!

Ruddy ell....now you tell me

[Springfield Pointers]

Odd comparison? They do very different jobs.

[Savageak]

BOYKIN covers the entire spectrum,flusher retrevier bred into one package

[newf]

I'll have to let you know in a year or two, since my springer is only 4 months old. My lab is 5 and a half years and pretty settled, however the springer pup though energetic is demonstrating way more biddableness and smarts. I like the little fellow quite a bit so far. I hope to use him for waterfowl as the lab gets older but in the near future rough shooting. What drew my attention to the breed was seeing youtube videos dual purposing the dogs.

[Judy]

Odd comparison? They do very different jobs.

Yep, Spaniels hunt and retrieve, Labs just retrieve. Although I pick up with Cockers and several people on here pick up with either Cockers or Springers or both. Some even have Spaniels at the peg. As Wullie said, you can have either more dogs or a smaller car with Spanners.

[CockerCanuck]

First, I am very glad I don't really have to choose. I have nearly always have had both and will continue to do so. My heart says a spaniel, I grew up with them, I love their animation and personalities and the joy with which they approach their work and life in general. On the other hand my head says a Lab. They are more practical for the hunting here with much better opportunities for waterfowl than upland game. If properly trained for it a Lab can do a very credible job in the uplands (although without the style and dash of the spaniel).