Which color lab is the calmest

Which Labrador Color?

Wondering which Labrador color is best? Or which color Labradoryou should get? We take a look at the different colors of Labrador. Helping you to find out more about thechocolate, black and yellow Labrador Retrievers. As well as the ranges of shades in between, including those controversial dilute tones. They arent all identical, and some can make better pets than others for different families.

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Do Labrador Dog Colors Matter?

The three different shades of Labrador are often associated with different roles.

The yellow Labrador has become associated with Seeing Eye dogs, the black Labrador with hunting and retrieving work and the chocolate Labrador with pet homes and the show ring.

But of course these are just broad generalisations and in reality, Labradors of each color have embraced all the many roles at which these amazing dogs excel.

Labrador Color Inheritance

There are three main Labrador colors, and a huge variety of shades of color too.

To find out much more about where these Labrador colors came from, and how they inherited their lovely coats, head over to our in-depth article on Labrador color inheritance.

Yellow Labradors

Yellow Labradors are well known fora variety of roles, but perhaps best of all for being Service Dogs. They are nice tempered, easy to train and full of love.

Although popular for highly trained roles, and of course very photogenic and therefore frequently used oncharities literature, the yellow Labrador can still make a magnificant pet and be popular in the show ring too.

You can find out more about the wonderful Yellow Labrador in this article.

Fox Red Labradors

Fox Red Labradors are officially a section of the much more common Yellow Labradors.

These dogs tend to come from working lines, and have a more orange hue to their coats.

They are still classed however on Kennel Club documentation as yellow Labradors.

Fawn Labradors

In recent years some people have begun to refer to yellow Labradors as fawn Labradors.

If your Lab pup coloris slightly darker than the traditional yellow, but not as orange as a Fox Red Labrador, you might well refer to him as being a Fawn Labrador.

However, this is not an official Labrador color, nor indeed is it really one which is referred to by Labrador breeders in the way that Fox Red now is.

Black Labradors

Black Labradors have long been favoured as gundogs, but also make wonderful pets, companions and agility dogs too.

They are the most common color of Labrador, due to the way in which their genes are inherited. Perhaps for this reason, they are a little overlooked when it comes to peoples top picks for the best Labrador color, but they are still really remarkable dogs.

You can find out more about our wonderful black Labradors in this article.

Chocolate Labradors

Chocolate Labradors make great family pets, as well as playing a role in the Show Ring.

In America, chocolate Labradors are quite firmly established in hunting lines. However, it is worth bearing in mind that in the UK, Chocolate Labradors have only recently been achieving awards in the field. Black and yellow Labradors still taking more prominence at least in Field Trial circuits.

In our extensive article on Chocolate Labradors we will let you know all about the chocolate Labrador. Where he comes from, his pet suitability and much more.

Silver Labradors

Silver Labradors are a fairly new trend in Labrador breeding. This amazing color inspires a lot of comments from Labrador fans, both positive and negative.

The color varation from chocolate is caused by a diluting gene, but how this got into the breed is the source of some controversy.

In our extensive article on Silver Labradors we take a look at where they come from and how to buy a healthy silver Labrador Retriever puppy.

Which Is The Best Labrador Color?

Some people have a strong preference for a particular color, but others are quite happy with either.

If you are not fussy about color,you will have more choice of Labrador breeders to put on your shortlist when setting about choosing the right dog.

Although you might love one particular color to look at, do think carefully about your prorities when it comes to picking a puppy.

Perhaps what really matters is your Labradors breeding:his parents temperaments, roles and health.

Show vs Field Bred Labradors

Whatever your preference, it is worth bearing in mind that Labradors have become divided into two quite distinct types, show, and field.

Finding a suitable dog will probably depend more on choosing the right type, than on choosing the right color.

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With some you will have more choice in one type rather than the other. And with some types you will have more choice in one color than the others.

To find out more about the differences between show and working bred Labradors, check out this article comparing the Bench and Field varieties of Labrador here.

Rescue Labradors

When picking your new Labrador, you might be looking for an adult rather than a puppy. When rehoming from rescue centers you wont in all likelihood have a choice of color, but you will be getting the opportunity to give a lovely Labrador a better life.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

Which Labs are CalmerBlacks, Reds, Yellows, Chocolates, Whites?

Which Labs are CalmerBlacks, Reds, Yellows, Chocolates, Whites?

September 01, 2016

By, Julie Morrill

This is certainly a frequently asked question and we have answered it on our FAQ page, but in this blog Ill try to be more detailed in my answer.

What about black Labs? First, calmness is not dependent on color; it is dependent on breeding. If the sire and dam are calm, their puppies will be calm. However, if you have observed that black Labs tend to be higher in energy than Labs of other colors, your powers of observation are not without merit. More black Labs have been bred for field trial competitions than any other color. This means that more black Labs in the United States are typically higher in energy than Labs of other colors.

What about yellow Labs? Are they calmer than Labs of other colors? Again, calmness depends on breeding, not color. More yellow Labs have been bred to be therapy and service dogs, which means they have been bred for calmness. Many yellow Labs come from English Labrador Retriever pedigrees, as well. English Labs are calmer than American Labs. If you are observing that more yellow Labs out there tend to be calmer than Labs of other colors, you are probably correct.

What about chocolate Labs? Unfortunately, most chocolate breedings in the United States today are what we call backyard breedings. From our observation, there appears to be no consistency in temperament whatsoever. Some chocolate Labs are calm; some are higher in energy. (Please note that we have nothing against many families who choose to breed their dogs at home and experience the whelping process. If we had not first gained the knowledge and joy of breeding and birthing puppies in our own home we wouldnt be where we are today. We do, however, oppose the unplanned, haphazard, irresponsible manner in which many dogs are bred, due to a lack of neutering/spaying.)

What about red Labs? I think the jury is still out on red Labs. Red Labs are actually dark yellow Labs. On one hand, based on the disposition of most yellow Labs, you might expect that red Labs to be calmer than other colors. However, thus far, we have observed a higher level of energy in red Labs. This is probably because reds with the best pedigrees and health clearances happen to be found in the field trial world. Like all of our dogs, we are attempting to breed our calmer Labs with our higher energy reds, in order to obtain more even-tempered, calm offspring suitable for both families and hunting.

What about white Labs? White Labs are actually light yellow Labs. Again, you might expect white Labs to be calmer than other colors. However, we have thus far observed no consistency in the energy levels of white Labs. We purchased one white Lab several years ago and she had a very high level of energy. The occasional light yellow white Lab puppy produced at our kennel have all been very even-tempered and medium in energy.

What about Marble Mountain Kennels Dogs? We personally dislike the super frenetic, hectic, high-energy trait present in your typical field trial Labrador Retriever. They have their place and they do really well in a competitive environment or as detection dogs. However, our clients share our sentiment in preferring a calmer dog. Therefore, all of our dogs are bred for an even temperamentnot super high in energy and not so low in energy that they just lie around all day like couch potatoes. We often pair one of our more energetic dogs with a calmer dog, in order to produce offspring that possess a peaceful, more even temperament. This usually results in a dog with the coveted on/off switch, making them relaxed with people in the house, but able to turn on the juice outdoors when its time to run, play or work.

If youre still unsure of the difference between a high-energy field trial Lab vs. our hunting and companionship Labs, let me first explain that both our Labs and field trial Labs are bred for high intelligence as evidenced in their strong hunting champion pedigrees. This makes them easy to train for any purpose, whether for basic obedience, therapy, detection work or hunting. But, just to make it clearer for you, allow me to give you an example of the difference between a field trial Labs energy vs. the energy of one of our Labs: You can visibly see the high intensity and attention focus in our Marble Mountain Kennels dogs each time we get ready to throw a ball or stick for them. In our dogs you will notice that every muscle in their bodies is tense as they hold still and wait for you to act. A field trial bred Lab, on the other hand, is usually all-out spastic, bouncing and running in circles as they wait for you to throw a ball or stick. Yes, you can train the high-energy field trial dogs to have patience and control on a hunt, but we prefer the natural, instinctive patience, control and intensity in our dogs. It means they require less work for us in the training process. Does this mean we never produce lively, bouncy, high-energy Labs at our kennel? No. They do show up in litters from time to time and they are very easy to spot. However, most of our pups will possess a more balanced, medium-level energy.

I hope this answers one of your top questions. If you need to ask us any other questions at all, please email us. Wed be happy to hear from you!

6 Labrador Colors: Differences, Genetics & Rarest Coat

The Labrador Retriever has topped the charts as Americas most popular dog breed for years. Labs are loyal, loving pets as well as dutiful and skilled workers.

There is no debate that Labradors are popular and loved around the world. Yet, there is a debate for which color is the best!

Three famous Labrador colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. But, rare colors such as silver, white, and red also exist.

Lab lovers argue that color affects their behavior, health, or pedigree status. In this article we share our opinion and present you with the facts so you can decide which Lab color is the best!

Labrador Colors Explained

According to the American Kennel Club, there are only three colors of Labrador Retriever. These colors are black, yellow and chocolate. However, as Labs have risen in popularity, other colors such as silver, charcoal and red have become recognized too.

There are now six recognized Lab colors:

• Black
• Chocolate
• Yellow
• Silver
• Red
• White

The science behind coat color is complicated and a result of various genes.

Black and chocolate Labs have a pigment in their fur called eumelanin. Eumelanin determines what shade their coat will be. A dog that produces lots of eumelanin will end up a black dog, while a dog that produces small amounts of eumelanin will be chocolate.

Whether a dog produces a lot or a little eumelanin all depends on their B genes.

The big B, the dominant gene, codes for high amounts of eumelanin and results in a black coat. The little b, the recessive gene, codes for low amounts of eumelanin and results in a chocolate coat.

Dogs inherit two B genes, one from each parent. A Lab with BB or Bb will have a black coat while a dog with bb in their genome will have a chocolate coat.

Yellow Lab coats are determined by the E gene. Just like the B genes, there are two genes at this locus, one from each parent. E genes will determine if the B genes are expressed or not.

The big E gene is dominant and does not interfere with the B genes. The little e gene is recessive and masks the B gene. This masking results in a yellow coat, rather than a black or chocolate coat.

Labradors with EE or Ee in their genome will be either black or chocolate (depending on their B genes), but dogs with ee in their genome will have a yellow coat:

• Dogs with EEBB, EeBB, EeBb or EEBb genes will be black.
• EEbb or Eebb dogs will be chocolate
• eeBB, eeBb and eebb will be yellow.

Breeding two yellow Labs will always result in yellow puppies.

Two chocolate Labradors can have chocolate or yellow pups.

A pair of black Labs can have black, yellow or chocolate puppies. When you mix Labradors with other dog breeds, things get even more complicated!

Another complicated part of their genetics is the idea of dilute genes! The D genes can either be big D, which is a dominant gene and results in a non-diluted coat, while little d is a recessive gene that results in a diluted color.

A chocolate Lab with DD genes would be chocolate. However, a chocolate Lab with dd would have a color that looks like a diluted chocolate. They appear silver in the sunlight. This dilution can also occur in yellow to produce champagne or in black to produce charcoal Labs.

Breeders often perform genetic tests on their breeding stock to accurately predict the possible Lab colors their puppies could be. Other breeders skip this expensive step and just opt for a beautiful surprise of puppies who can pretty much be any color possible!

Genotype	Color	Dilute
EEBB	Black	Charcoal
EEBb	Black	Charcoal
EeBB	Black	Charcoal
EeBb	Black	Charcoal
EEbb	Chocolate	Silver
Eebb	Chocolate	Silver
eeBB	Yellow	Champagne
eeBb	Yellow	Champagne
eebb	Yellow	Champagne

Labrador Colors

1. Black Labrador

Most black Labs are entirely black. But, some have one or two white spots on their fur. This interruption in their solid black coat is due to genetic traces left from their late ancestor, the St. Johns water dog. St. Johns water dogs had lots of white in their coat.

The black Labrador Retriever was historically the most common coat color. Even today, nearly half of all Labs are black!

When Retrievers were first bred, black coated dogs were the only pups deemed acceptable. Their popularity was driven by two reasons:

1. Black is the favorite coat color for hunting.
2. Four out of nine gene combinations result in a black coat.

Sadly, until the 20th century, all other Lab colors would be euthanized shortly after birth. They were not valued the same way black Labradors were.

Black Labradors were perfect for their original purpose, hunting.

Their dark coat color helped them blend in and move stealthily while hunting or participating in field trials. These Labs tend to have the strongest hunting instincts as their black coats were historically bred for hunting. Even to this day, they are focused, diligent workers.

These shiny, sleek dogs are not only beloved in the field, but they also make wonderful pets.

Many owners regard black Labs as the calmest and most affectionate of all Lab colors. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim.

2. Chocolate Labrador

Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three major Lab colors. These dogs are rarely used for hunting or working, but are champions in the show ring! Their color stuns judges and earns high marks in conformation shows.

The shade of brown that chocolate Labradors can come in varies.

Some are a rich chocolate while others are a dark brown color known as liver. Some even have a beautiful red hue within their brown fur! The chocolate color exists on a spectrum and can vary greatly due to genetics.

Many owners have made assumptions about chocolate Labradors personalities that are not supported by facts. Some of these assumptions have become widely accepted in the Labrador community.

Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most rambunctious with a bit too much energy for their bodies! These pups are spunky and often hard to train, which may explain why they are not used as service dogs.

Even if these Labs are a bit energetic and naughty at times, they are just as beloved due to their affectionate nature and goofy personality.

The unfortunate truth about chocolate Labradors is that they often suffer from more health problems than other types of Labs.

Some of these health concerns are minor and include hot spots (skin irritation) and ear inflammation. However, some are more serious and can shorten their lifespan. On average, chocolate Labs have a lifespan that is 10% shorter. They often live a year and a half less than the other Labradors.

3. Yellow Labrador

Yellow Labradors may not be the most popular Labrador Retriever color, but they are the most beloved. Many owners claim that yellow Labs are the friendliest and most outgoing.

Their outstanding reputation is reinforced by their heavy presence in daily life!

Yellow Labs are often seen in movies such as the adorable Lab who played Marley in Marley and Me or the sweetheart who acted as Old Yeller. The media have also boosted their popularity as has their recognition as common service, search and rescue, and therapy dogs.

Similar to chocolate, the yellow coat color exists on a spectrum.

Some yellow Labs are a light brown or tan, others are yellow like a lemon, and then there are cream-colored Labs. There are also fawn Labradors. Fawn Labs are darker, but are not quite red. The yellow Lab may be the Labrador Retriever with the most variation in its coat color!

Yellow Labs are just as hard-working as black Labs, although they are not as commonly used for hunting. They are very similar to black Labs and are just as highly trainable, affectionate, and hard-working.

4. Silver Labrador

Silver Labradors are by far the rarest of all colors. These dogs are a light gray to blue color that looks silver in the sunlight.

These Labradors are often mistaken for Weimaraner mixes because of their silver coat.

Silver Labs actually have the same genetics as any type of Lab, despite looking very different. They are just as smart, fun, and loving as any other Retriever.

They have a dilute gene that overrides the designated chocolate coat color. Rather than being chocolate, these dogs have a silver or blue coat color.

This same coat color dilution can occur in yellow Labs and in black Labs. Diluted yellow Labs are known as champagne and diluted black Labs are known as charcoal. However, Silver is the most unique. Not many silver Labs exist due to the recessive nature of the dilute gene.

Silver Labs are undoubtedly stunning, but they have a higher potential of developing health issues. They often develop color dilution alopecia which presents as itchy skin or patchy fur.

5. Fox Red Labrador

Fox Red Labradors have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, but just have a deep yellow or brown hue to their coat. This deep brown looks rusty red and makes them look just like a fox.

Labrador Retriever fans adore fox red Labs because of their friendly personalities. They have lovingly nicknamed these dogs Ruby Labradors. Clifford, the beloved big red dog, is even based off a fox red Labrador.

The red color gives them a rugged look that many owners love!

However, this love does not extend to the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club does not recognize fox reds as a unique color and registers these Labrador Retrievers as yellow labs. Judges often view this dark pigmentation as a serious fault, so it is unlikely that a fox red Lab would ever win a conformation show.

Some people are highly suspicious of the fox red color.

They often argue that fox reds are not purebred and that they are mixed with Golden Retrievers. This is not true.

These beautiful golden/red colored Labs are still purebred. It is all the beauty of a Golden Retriever without the high maintenance and long coat that Goldens are known for.

6. White Labrador

White Labradors are just a variation of the yellow Lab. They have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, they just happen to be much paler.

White Labs are the lightest shade of yellow possible. This color exists on the opposite end of the spectrum than fox red Labs do. The shade of their fur is typically a pale yellow that looks white in the sunlight. They may also have brown or yellow ears and paws that are darker than the rest of their coat.

Their white fur gives them an aura of royalty.

Just like any yellow Labrador, white Labs are regarded as kind dogs who love everyone they meet. They make horrible guard dogs as they make friends with everyone and are quick to trust every stranger they meet! They are often pampered and spoiled beyond belief.

There are no known health issues associated with this color.

Most white labs are healthy because they are just a pale yellow, not true white.

Albino Labradors are rarer and also sensitive to bright sunlight.

Merle labs may suffer from deafness, blindness, and shortened lifespans.

Frequently Asked Question

Is Coat Color Important?

Discussing Labrador Retriever colors can be controversial.

Are silver and red Labs purebred? Do personality traits differ between different colored Labs? Should silver, red, and white have their own color category?

The answers to these questions are not simple.

Scientists and dog experts argue that color has no effect on a dogs personality. They say that behavior is determined by genetics, socialization, training, and health. In their opinion coat color is just cosmetic.

On the other hand, there are owners and breeders who argue that coat color affects the personality of a Lab.

These owners and breeders have lived and interacted with Labs of all colors. In their opinion coat color is linked to characteristic personality traits. These Lab lovers have agreed that:

• Black Labs are the calmest and most skilled at hunting.
• Yellow Labs are the friendliest and best with people and children.
• Chocolate Labs are the rowdiest, most energetic, and difficult to train.

On the side of science, color does not affect the behavior of a Labrador Retriever.

However, breeders and owners have recorded the behavior traits associated with each coat color.

It is up to you whether to decide if color matters for Labrador Retrievers or not!

Which Is The Rarest Color?

Silver is the rarest Lab color. Silver is rare because it can only come from a unique genetic makeup. The dilution gene needed to produce this silver hue is a recessive gene and is often masked by the genes for a chocolate coat.

If you ever happen to see one of these silver beauties, take the time to really admire them as you may never see another one again!

Which Color Is The Best?

This is definitely an opinion question that has no right answer!

Each color of Labrador suits a specific type of owner:

• Athletic, hunting owners will want a black Lab.
• Yellow Lab owners claim that their dogs are the best due to their friendly personalities.
• Chocolate Labs win the most prizes in conformation shows.
• Silver Labs are the rarest, to complicate the argument even more.

It is up to each owner to decide which color they love the best. An argument can be made for each Labrador color as to why that color is the best.

Which Lab Color Is The Calmest?

Among Labrador owners it is widely accepted that black Labs are the calmest. This could be a result of their hard-working, hunting instincts which cause them to be much more focused and level-headed.

Chocolate Labs who parade around show rings are often the most rambunctious.

If you ask the experts, you will get the answer that coat color has no effect on Labrador behavior. They claim each dogs genetics, environment, training, and socialization are what molds their personality.

However, if you read various Labrador Retriever websites and forums, or talk to Lab owners, you may hear a different story.

Whether you decide to believe this claim is up to you! There is no scientific evidence to back the claim up that black Labs are the calmest Labradors.

Summary

Each color of Labrador Retriever is beautiful and unique in its own way.

Silver Labs are rare, black Labs are sleek and elegant, yellow Labs have an aura of kindness, white Labs are elegant, red Labs are devoted to their work, and chocolate Labs are gorgeous and show ready!

Experts argue that color has no effect on a Labs personality. They say that behavior is determined by genetics, socialization, training, and health.

Labrador coat colors are the perfect example that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

Want to learn more about Labs? Read: English vs. American Labrador: Top 10 Differences.

Which coat color is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below!