Fox Red Pointing Labs / Labradors

The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada before 1800 along the east and southeast coast of Newfoundland. First known as the St. John's water dog. They were originally used by fishermen to retrieve codfish that managed to shake off the hook while being pulled to the surface. The dogs also helped haul ashore heavy, water–soaked nets. The advantage of the smooth coat was that ice did not form on the short, water–repellent hair and weigh the dog down.

It is also quite likely that the breed had ties to old English Water Dogs because, early explorers never reported observing the native Americans with any indigenous dogs in Newfoundland. By the end of the 1700's the St. John's water dogs were being shipped to England, where they met with great favor as gundogs. The breed developed and prospered with a handful of private kennels dedicated to developing and refining the perfect gundog.

In the earliest years of the Labrador, yellows (were originally the fox red variety and later included white and yellow) were simply culled. The anti-yellow sentiment was strong during the 1920's and dogs of this color did suffer. A separate breed standard was briefly drawn up to address the "problem" of yellow Labradors with houndy features, but eventually it was felt that yellows should simply adhere to the same standard as blacks. Today, you will find as many, if not more, yellows as blacks of the same quality. Only in some hunting circles will you still find the erroneous opinion that "blacks make better hunters."

Kellogg Kennels have been breeding top notch Labs since 1922 and full Pointing Lines since 1981. Founded in 1899 by L.E. Kellogg and Harold E. Kellogg they are recognized for bringing the first Labrador Retrievers west of the Mississippi River. Mayo Kellogg, the founding father, of the American pointing lab noticed pointing in his South Dakota line as early as 1946 and set out, over the next 40 years, to show that a pointing retriever is superior to a retrieving pointer. Mayo passed away in 2003 leaving his kennel to his son Hugh who reported that 95% of his buyers ask for labs that point. Jim Helm, life long friend of Mayo Kellogg, picked up where Mayo left off by continuing to refine and improve the line of American style pointing red fox labs. He really hit the mark with his Helm's Point Doctor (featured in Outdoor Life) and now his son Helm's Signature Point Doctor.

Innishfree labrador puppies are direct descendants of Kellogg and Helm blood lines. Helm's Point Doctor is the nationally recognized dog from the late Mayo Kellogg / Helm line (60+ year breeding program) who was featured in Outdoor Life as "a prime example of the workhorse pointing retrievers that are bred for better style and greater intensity on birds". You will find that Innishfree Pointing Labrador puppies continue this proud Lab heritage of being popular hunting retrievers and family companions with a reputation for hardiness, scenting ability, good temperament, love of water, and careful retrievers. You will find, just like Larry Mueller of Outdoor Life, that you too will get everything you hope for in a Innishfree Pointing Lab.

English Labs vs. American Labs Characteristics

English Labs vs. American Labs Characteristics

The English style Lab has a more compact, stocky body and a square head. These are the types of Labs generally seen in the show ring for conformation. The American style Labrador is generally longer legged and longer bodied with a more lean appearance, and longer nose. These are the Labs most often seen working in the field as hunting retrievers. As a general rule, the English style Labrador is more laid back and the American style Lab is more high energy for long days in the field. Innishfree Pointing Labrador Retrievers display the American Labs characteristics.

Both these styles of Labs are members of the same breed. They are not distinguished in any way by the AKC as different types of Labradors. In other words, all purebred Labs are members of just one breed and not split into two categories. The terms "English' and "American" are generally used to describe the physical differences between one Labrador Retriever and another.

Red Fox Labrador Color

Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow and chocolate. Black--Blacks are all black. Yellow--Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and under parts of the dog. Chocolate--Chocolates can vary in shade from light to dark chocolate. Innishfree specializes in puppies that are yellow in color with the very popular and very rare fox-red shade.

Read more about Labrador Retriever breed profiles by clicking here.

"If it’s a versatile pup you covet this spring, how about one that’s superior at doing what hunters need most and do poorest for themselves? Face it: We can stumble onto game occasionally, but our eyes are such terrible substitutes for decent noses that we’re lucky to find downed birds on bare bean fields. The very best versatile dog needs to be a retriever first and foremost. Add pointing instincts to that retriever and you have a real workhorse—the pointing Lab."

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Article by Tony Dean from the Dakota Country magazine about hunting with Pointing Labs.

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