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July 15th
No matter what color Labrador you choose, you’ll get a loving, gentle, and friendly dog that will always stick by your side. But are there any differences in Labs depending on their coat color? And how many shades do Labs come in?
Although some Lab colors may be at a slightly higher risk of health problems, personality type is no difference in personality depending on the color of a Lab’s coat. Here, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Lab’s and their coat colors.
Before getting into colors, you’ll need to know a little bit about a Lab’s coat. If you’ve spent any time around Labs, you probably know that they have a thick, cuddly coat. You’ve probably also seen what it looks like when they shed their coat.
Labs have what is called a double coat. This allows them to grow out their fur during the winter to protect them from the cold. When the temperature begins to rise, they shed this coat so that they don’t overheat.
Labs originated in the region of Labrador, a cold and wet area where animals need a lot of protection during the winter. They were also working dogs, used by fishermen to reel in nets and grab stray fish. This is part of the reason they love to swim, and have a water resistant coat.
Somewhere a myth originated saying that Labs of different colors have different personalities. It’s possible that this myth came about because people misidentified other dog breeds as labs, making them believe that different colored labs had varying personalities.
Labs, however, will have the same personality traits no matter what type of coat color they have. Individual dogs will always have their own quirks and unique personalities, but these have nothing to do with coat color.
Although coat color has little effect on personality, different groups of people often prefer one color over another. This contributes to the popular perception that different color Labs have different personality types.
Black is the most common coat color for Labs, and these dogs can be found throughout the world in a wide range of different communities.
Black Labs are a particular favorite of the hunting community. This is likely due to tradition, as original Labradors had black coats. It also makes them good for hunting, as they are much harder to see than dogs with yellow coats.
Although great for hunting, black Labs are perfect family dogs, as they have calm, gentle personalities. They are also the easiest coat type to find, and tend to be a bit less expensive than other varieties.
Yellow Labs are one of the most sought after types of Lab, and for good reason. The beautiful, shiny coat makes them stand out.
Yellow Labs are often rated as the friendliest type of Lab, and are thought to have very gentle, calm demeanors. However, this doesn’t mean that yellow Labs are actually friendlier than Labs with other coat colors. It just means that people perceive them as friendlier.
Part of the yellow Labs reputation for friendliness may also be due to the fact that they look a lot like Golden Retrievers.
Although many people picture bright blonde coats, there is a wide range of yellows allowed by the official Lab breeding standards. Some Labs are a light cream color, whereas others are a darker auburn.
This coat color is a bit less common than black and yellow. Although some Labs really are red, most are a very dark color of yellow.
Red Labs, like other varieties, are friendly, gentle dogs that are great for families with small children. They are a bit harder to find than some other types, and you may have to pay a premium to get one.
Chocolate Labs have a reputation as show dogs, and some people believe that they are less athletic and less suited for hunting and work. However, there is little to support this. Although they are great show dogs, they are also active, energetic animals perfect for any family.
The genes for chocolate coloring in Labs are recessive, which means that is is much rarer than other coat colors. Both parents will have to have a gene for the coat, otherwise the puppies will be born a different color.
As with yellow Labs, there’s a lot of variety when it comes to chocolate colored coats. Some are light colored, with a tan appearance, while others have a darker coat color that is called liver. Then you’ll find the labs with the classic, rich chocolate color.
Although rare when bred with Labs of other coat colors, many breeders have established lines of chocolate Labs, making them more widely available.
There are many different Lab coats and blends of the main types. In recent years, silver Labs have begun to pop up. These dogs aren’t really silver, but come from lighter versions of chocolate Labs.
Some people claim that Labs with certain coat colors are more likely to have health problems. Although Labs are generally healthy, happy dogs, there may be differences between coat colors due to breeding.
There have been studies showing that chocolate Labs may be at a higher risk for certain health conditions such as ear infections. They may have slightly shorter lifespans than black and yellow Labs.
Although the exact reason for these health problems is not known, it’s likely due to the small breeding pool. It’s more difficult to breed for a chocolate coat, so breeders will use a small pool of dogs with the exact color they want.
An unfortunate side effect of this is that they limit the gene pool, increasing the risk of a number of different health conditions.
That said, most chocolate Labs are healthy dogs that live long, happy lives. To prevent the risk of genetic health conditions, try to talk to the breeder about the puppy’s relatives. If they have a lot of health problems in the family, you should consider getting a dog from another source.
No matter what color fur your Lab has, it’s important that you routinely groom them and take care of their coat. Remember, Labs shed a lot, especially as they transition coats in the spring and in the fall.
Brushing
The most important part of any Lab’s grooming routine is regular brushing. This prevents loose fur from forming tangles and knots, and can also reduce the mess that your Lab makes around the house.
Try to brush your Lab at least once a week, although twice is optimal. Use a brush that is designed for your dog’s specific fur type, slowly working through their coat. You can also get a shedding brush that is better at picking up extra fur.
During shedding season in the spring and fall, you may want to brush your Lab every day. Although this can be a lot of work , it can keep their coat healthy and prevent a huge mess as they scatter hair around the house.
Bathing
Washing and bathing is another important part of your Lab’s grooming. However, you don’t want to overboard, as excess washing can actually damage your Lab’s coat, drying out their fur and skin.
Use warm water to gently rinse out their fur with shampoo. Pick out a shampoo that is designed for dogs (you can find a number of products made specifically for Labs). Once you’ve washed all of the shampoo out of their fur, make sure to dry them off with a towel. You may also want to give them a quick brush to prevent tangles.
Don’t Shave Their Coat
Although shaving your Lab’s coat may seem like a way to prevent shedding, it’s not a good idea. Shaving can interfere with their natural shedding cycle, as well as expose them to the sun. It can also irritate and dry out their skin.
Take Them To A Groomer
If you’re having issues with your Labs coat, you can always take them to a professional groomer. They can give them a thorough wash and detangle any knots.
If you’re worried that a Lab’s coat will have an impact on their adult personality, there’s no need to fear. No matter what color you pick out, you’ll get a calm, gentle dog that is the perfect family pet.
There is no research showing that different coat colors affect personality in Labs. There have been a few studies suggesting that chocolate Labs might have a slightly higher risk of health problems, but this can be avoided by carefully selecting a breeder.
In the end, what matters most is that you pick out a coat color that you like. You should also keep in mind that Labs shed quite a bit, so you can make your life easier by picking a color that blends in with your surroundings.
If you’re searching for the perfect Labrador Retriever puppy, head over to our puppy finder. At Uptown Puppies, our mission is to help you find your dream dog. We connect you to a network of some of the best breeders and companies around.
All of the Lab breeders and companies we work with follow the highest ethical standards, reducing the risk of inherited health problems. That means we never do business with puppy mills or backyard breeders.
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