Few things are more debated in the dog world than Labs and their color variations. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), there are three officially recognized color variations of the Labrador Retriever: black, yellow, and chocolate. However, the growing popularity of Labs as family dogs has led some breeders to take liberties, resulting in variations such as champagne, silver, and charcoal. For those looking to purchase their first duck hunting dog, we’ve decided to break down where the different colors of Labs come from, what’s right for you, and what to avoid altogether.
Where Lab Colors Come From
The first Labrador Retrievers are descendants of the St. John’s Water Dog, hailing from Newfoundland. These hardy water dogs were bred to pull fishing nets, could withstand cold water well, and had incredible stamina in the water. Early kennels and breeding programs soon began, breeding the St. John’s Water Dog with other breeds until early ancestors of the first Lab were born. These first dogs were all black with a small white patch on their chest. As Labrador kennels became more established and later generations were whelped, chocolate and yellow Labs started to show up. But how did all-black dogs create these color variations? To understand this, bear with me as we break out the Punnett squares.
Labrador coat colors are what the genetics field calls a trait, and each trait can involve several genes. Breaking it down further, every gene has two alleles: one inherited from the father and the other from the mother. Now that we have a basic understanding of how genes get passed on from generation to generation, we can dive into Lab specifics.
In black and chocolate Labs, the “B” gene controls coat color, with “B” being dominant and “b” being recessive. Any Lab with one or more “B” alleles will be black, while chocolate Labs are a result of “bb” alleles. Yellow-coated labs, on the other hand, come from the “E” allele, specifically “ee”. Since multiple genes can contribute to a trait like color, if a Lab has “ee” alleles, it will be yellow regardless of its “B” alleles. Dudleys, yellow Labs with a pink nose and mouth, have both recessive “b” and “e” genes. There are several pathways to each color, but these are the three AKC-recognized colors for purebred Labs.
Other Lab Colors
Recently, other colored Labs (silver, champagne, and charcoal) have become more popular among owners looking for a uniquely colored house pet. These colors result from a diluted gene, “dd”, but where it stems from is the subject of much debate. Historically, the dilution gene was never found in purebred Labrador Retrievers. It is, however, present in Weimaraners, which are believed to have been bred with purebred Labs at one point to achieve this color. Unfortunately, these diluted genes are often associated with health issues—a common gripe among purebred breeders—as others look to make a quick buck by breeding these “desirable” colors at the breed’s expense. The other common color is the fox red Lab. This is simply a color phase of yellow Labs and is not caused by dilution genes.
What Dog is Right for Me?
For hunters looking to bring home their first Labrador Retriever, picking the right dog is important, but don’t worry too much about color as long as you stick to the three AKC-recognized colors. When it comes to the decision between black, chocolate, and yellow, you may want to consider where you hunt. For instance, a black or chocolate Lab will hide better in the timber, whereas a yellow Lab hides well in marsh grass.
With that in mind, regardless of color, the best advice is to look into the puppy’s pedigree before purchasing. Things like temperament, drive, and health can all be traced through generations of Labradors. Look for AKC-recognized breeders who run health screens and are committed to breeding dogs that meet the breed standard. This will help you avoid breeders who overlook dog health in favor of quick profit.