Do your girls have the best coat going into heat or after heat? I've noticed my group seem to have better coats right in the middle of their heat and stay in coat for about 2-3 months. Is this the norm for labs?

Mine have great coats while they are in heat...

I overheard a reputable handler say to a prospective client once that she should give her (the handler) the dog when she is just out of season for a month. She would be in the best coat at that time.

Usually when there are no shows for them to go to lol

LOL Isn't that the truth.

About a month BEFORE the Potomac!

My girls seem to have their best coats 1-2 months before a season, 1 month after a season or while they're in whelp.

As most girls do, they begin to blow coat about a month after they've finished their season.