[My back yard]

He would hunt I'm sure. I was being somewhat fascetious there. But he couldn't hunt for very long. Not with the heavy weight on him, not in this climate and terrain. I think the original New Foundland needed that weight and insulation, and a boat dog has less physical demands. Maybe our views are different because of our different locals. I need a dog that can do a day of ducks or geese at long distance in corn fields and in much warmer weather. That dog would not be able to do that for very long. I just think it is wrong that there is no category for conformation that a dog that could do that job might compete for. Two separate categories then? I don't know. :)

[HairOfTheDog]

It is when that diversion of 'what people are looking for' happens that new offshoots and new breeds develop. Or the breed changes if the new demand is unanimous, I suppose.

The original Labrador was not bred for upland birds, and those seeking a universal hunting dog that could do that too have changed the Labrador already. And either the standard will change to meet it, or those in duck country will fight for their old Labrador, leaving the upland bird hunters free to choose their own standard for a NewLabrador.