Labrador Colors
**Most of these images do not belong to us and they are used for educational purposes**​We do not produce dilute Labradors, but we are not against them. There is controversy claiming they were crossed with Weimaraner's, do your research and decide what is best for you! AKC accepted standard for color is Black, Chocolate, and Yellow (all shades)​​​ ​​​​​​​​ ​
The yellow Labrador Retriever is one of the most common colors. A yellow lab only appears when the dog has the color gene, "ee." This gene masks the possibility of a black or brown coat. Think of it as a black lab dipped in yellow when it comes to how the coloring works! These are possible gene combinations that will get you a yellow lab with a black nose: eeBB, eeBb
The black Labrador Retriever is the first color recognized in the breed, also one of the most popular dogs of all time. The "B" gene has an important role, as does the "E" gene. There cannot be two little "e" genes in a black lab, because that would mask the color and make it yellow. These are possible gene combinations that will get you a black lab: EeBb, EEBb, EeBB, EEBB
The chocolate Labrador Retriever was the last color to be recognized, some breeders actually saw (and still do) this color as an "abomination." The dominant "B" gene can also be recessive, "b." In order to be a chocolate, both b genes must be recessive, and it cannot have the masking effect of the two yellow e genes. These are possible gene combinations that will get you a chocolate lab: EEbb, Eebb
The fox-red Labrador Retriever has the same genetic makeup of a yellow Labrador. The difference is the darker coat color. Through selective breeding, labs can become darker or lighter over generations by choosing the darkest pup from the bunch. The intensity gene varies with labs, and a fox-red lab has a high intensity, "I" gene.
The white Labrador Retriever has the same genetic makeup of a yellow and a Fox-Red Labrador. While the fox-red lab has a high intensity gene, the white lab has a very low intensity gene, "i." Breeding a yellow lab to a white lab will give you an array of intensity of coat color.
The Dudley Labrador Retriever in simple terms is a chocolate lab wearing a yellow lab's coat! Dudley's have the same "ee" gene as yellow labs with black noses, but they do not have the dominant "B" genes shown in black labs or carried by yellow labs. Instead, they have two "b" genes. Large breeders avoid Dudley's by never breeding a yellow lab to a chocolate lab (how the dudley is made) but this significantly restricts the gene pools. Dudley's can have intensity as dark as fox-red or as light as white. The possible gene combination for a Dudley lab is: eebb
Dilute. The Champagne Labrador Retriever from a genetic standpoint, is a yellow lab. (This can be fox-red, white, yellow, or dudley) The difference is a completely different gene that all Labradors have. The dilute gene, seen as "DD" in standard Labradors. Champagne labs have two recessive copies of the gene, being "dd." Which is responsible for the off-yellow color. They can have any of the yellow gene combinations, but with the "dd." An example is eeBBdd, or eebbdd
Dilute. The Charcoal Labrador Retriever is a diluted black lab, much how the champagne is a diluted yellow lab. This beautiful dark grey color is seen when a black labrador carries two recessive copies of the "d" gene. The possible gene combinations for a charcoal lab are: EeBBdd, EEBBdd, EeBbdd, EEBbdd
The Silver Labrador Retriever is a diluted chocolate lab. This light gray/silver color is at the peak of controversy due to the similar coloring of other breeds. The possible gene combinations for a silver lab are: EEbbdd, Eebbdd
The Brindle Labrador Retriever certainly looks interesting! An entirely different gene called "K" is responsible for these beautiful markings. All labs have the K gene, but different variations give different results. If you are lucky enough to find a Brindle lab, they are more likely to be a black lab with some brindle marks on their legs. Only about 4% of labs actually carry the gene (carry the ability to produce brindle pups) which is why it's so uncommon to see!
The Tan-Point Labrador, also known as the "Mismarked Lab," is created from the A gene. This is very uncommon in Labradors, and most breeders that discover the gene in their line, avoid it all together since the dual coat looks far from purebred. But don't fret! A tan-point lab can be 100% Labrador Retriever.