The DogFather

This Family Have The Oldest Line Of Labradors In The World: 150 Years Of Continuous Breeding


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Charlie is joined by John Forbes-Leith to discuss the Fyvie Labradors. John's family have had the Fyvie line since 1885 and is, by our reckoning, the oldest continuous line of Labradors in the world.

Discovered in Canada, Labrador Retrievers were brought back to the U.K. for retrieving ducks from the water. From the early boats, some went to the Duke of Buccleuch, others went to the Earl of Malmsbury, and some went to an Aberdeenshire family.

Both Buccleuch and Malmsbury have lost their lines, but the Forbes-Leith kept theirs, breeding mother to daughter for 150 years.

However, if you asked in the trialling world or even in the Kennel Club about the Fyvie Labradors, no one would have heard of them... so join Charlie as he lifts the lid on one of the most exciting story in recent years.


0:00 - Introduction

0:47 - Family History

04:19 - How Did Labradors Come To Britain?

10:02 - How Have They Managed The Breeding?

16:46 - How Do They Choose Stud Dogs

17:59 - Pointing Labradors

22:50 - Who Owns The Fyvie Book?

26:01 - How Many Dogs Do They Breed?

29:22 - Where Do They Puppies Go?

31:05 - Best Dog Trainer In The Family?

37:30 - Typical Year For The Dogs

42:49 - Why Field Trial Champions

48:45 - Only Black Labs?

50:42 - Outro



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The DogFatherBy Charlie Thorburn