purebreed??

Question
HI we adopted a 2 1/2 yr old spayed female, and we absolutely love her, she is supposed to be a lab retriever mix, but everyone that sees her thinks she is a full lab. How do you tell? It makes no difference to us, but for arguments sake.....her nose seems to be a little longer, as well as her body, but saying that looking at her she has all the characteristics of a lab, like in the way she holds her head, and her whole body when she is waiting for you to throw the ball, also her feet are webbed. Shes black, and when she is in the sunlight she has brown highlights thru her very black glossy coat, she really is very beautiful, and we feel very lucky to have found her :) Thankyou and have a good day!

joan

Answer
The Lab genotype is very strong.  Many Lab crosses look more like a Lab, than some Labs.  There may be some subtle things.  Fine, silky hair with a little wave in it may be signs of the Golden.  She could have just a little more feather on her legs or tail.  Goldens' tails are longer and don't taper like Labs.  

We have a 5 month old Lab/Golden.  As a puppy, she was maybe a little more soft and fluffy for a Lab.  Now she has her adult coat, It is definitely long, soft, and wavy for a Lab.  I am surprised at how much of her Golden half she shows.  I think her one all Lab half sister is sort of wavy too.