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The major kennel clubs around the world recognize only three colors in the Labrador Retriever breed: Black, Yellow and Chocolate.
Yellow Labradors come in a surprisingly wide range of shades, from almost white, through cream and butterscotch right up to a relatively dark red, also called fox red.
But traditionally, Black Labradors have always been a uniform black and Chocolate Labradors range from a medium to dark brown.
However, recently there has become another color of Labrador passionately recognized by a select few breeders, yet passionately disputed and rejected by the majority of breeders in the world.
There is now…arguably…a Silver Labrador Retriever.
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How is Labrador Coat Color Determined?
Fortunately, out of the innumerable genes that make up a dog, there are only a few we must concern ourselves with to understand how a Labradors coat color is determined.
In summary, the coat color is controlled by 2 genes, made up of 2 pairs of the B and E alleles, or their recessive ‘b’ and ‘e’ counterparts, resulting in an expression of 2 gene pairs.
This is written in a 4 letter notation, an example being: BBEe
Every labrador has these gene pairs, and it’s the particular combination present that determines either a Black, Chocolate or Yellow coated lab.
You can read in good detail the basics of labrador coat color, and inheritance in litters, in the following article at the Oak Hill Kennels website: The genetics of color in Labradors.
A Brief Summary of 9 ‘Traditional’ Variants
According to traditionalists (as I’m maybe erroneously calling them) there are only 9 possible combinations of coat color gene pairings (actually 16, but 7 are repeated just in a different order) which result in the following coat colors:
- eeBB, eeBb, eebb = A yellow lab (If an ‘ee’ pairing is present, the lab will always be yellow regardless of the ‘B’ or ‘b’ gene combination.)
- EEBB, EeBB, EEBb, EeBb = A black lab (With at least one ‘E’ and ‘B’ present, the lab will always be black regardless of the other 2 allele in the genes.)
- EEbb, Eebb = A chocolate lab (With at least one ‘E’ present, and a ‘bb’ pairing the lab will always be chocolate.)
You can see this in an easy to read diagram, along with the possible litters that would result from the 81 possible mating combinations, in this informative article from labbies.com: Coat Color Inheritance In The Labrador Retriever
So where does the dilute color come in? It isn’t mentioned above?
It is a less discussed gene that’s responsible for creating the Silver Labrador Retriever.
The ‘d’ Gene is Responsible For The ‘Dilute Color’
The ‘D’ gene is always present in labs, usually in a pairing of two ‘DD’ allele.
But there exists a recessive ‘d’ allele that results in a dilute color if two of them are present, as a ‘dd’ gene.
The ‘D’ allele is dominant, and if present always results in a solid coat color (non-dilute) regardless of whether the 2nd allele in the pair is a ‘d’ or not.
So there are 3 different possibilities:
- DD pairing = Solid color, no dilute gene present. (And no matter the subsequent breeding, a dilute will not be found in the litter.)
- Dd pairing = Solid color, dilute factored, one dominant ‘D’ present and one recessive dilute ‘d’ allele present. (And if 2 non-dilute ‘Dd’ carrying labs mate, they could have some ‘dd’ pairings in their litter and hence produce dilute lab puppies.)
- dd pairing = A dilute color lab, 2 dilute ‘d’ genes present. (And if mated with a DD lab, no dilutes will be in the litter. If mated with a Dd carrier, dilute labs could appear in the litter.)
It’s argued that ‘pure labradors’ can only have a ‘DD’ pairing, never a ‘dilute factored‘ ‘Dd’ that can pass on the dilute gene, and certainly never be an actual dilute color carrying the ‘dd’ pairing.
Where Did The Silver Labrador Retriever Come From?
Until perhaps the 1950s, the silver-colored lab was completely unseen or if it was then it was probably culled at birth.
However, as told by Jack Vanderwyk over at LabradorNet.com: “In the 1950s a gun dog magazine published an advertisement from Kellogg’s kennels, in which they announced a litter of ‘rare gray Labradors’.”
These rare gray Labradors were what we know today as silvers.
So where did the silver Labrador come from? After researching the subject, I’ve been able to find only anecdotal accounts of the color being seen from the late 1920s onward. And here is the curious thing…
They Seem To Have Come Out Of Nowhere!
Since the early history of Labradors back in the 1800s; From times when other breeds were being crossed into the St Johns Dog to ‘improve’ the breed;
From the times before the Labrador was even recognized by the major kennel clubs and became an official breed…The silver (or gray) color was never mentioned in any kennels accounts.
You see, a great number of kennels kept very detailed records of their breeding programs and the color of puppies they found in litters.
Almost everybody strived for the blacks of the breed, but there is mention in these books of various colors such as yellows, chocolates, vitiligos, brindles, black and tans…but never is there mention of a silver, gray or dilute color dog. They seem to have appeared from nowhere!
A Worldwide Controversy
The UK kennel club formalized the breed in 1903 and the American Kennel club in 1917.
Prior to this, no breeders ever recorded a silver or gray Labrador found within their litters, even though they were happy to record many other ‘off color’ dogs that didn’t adhere to the standard.
And yet 4 decades later in the 1950s, all of a sudden, silver Labradors were being advertised for sale in gun dog magazine.
For these facts, many people believe that the dilute d gene was introduced into the Labrador breed long after the standards were set.
And so many believe the Silver Labrador Retriever simply cannot be a pure bred Labrador!
Do They Contain Weimaraner Genes?
The major belief is that the dilute d gene was introduced into the breed by cross breeding with Weimaraners. This breed always carries the dilute d gene and have the distinctive silver, gray or dilute color.
The possibility of outcrossing with Weimaraners quite rightly outrages Labrador breeding purists.
A Labrador has the look, temperament and disposition of a Labrador and not a Spaniel or a Mastiff simply because the breeding lines are kept pure.
The very idea of a breed standard is to set out a blueprint for the breed that all must adhere to.
The very essence of the Labrador breed is only maintained by the strict attention to the pedigree and blood lines of Labradors by dedicated and responsible breeders.
If people started to introduce genes just to change the color of a breed then this whole system would break down. There would be no pure breeds, just cross breeds or mongrels.
In my research, I’ve been unable to find any concrete evidence that the silvers contain Weimaraner genes. It will be interesting to keep an eye on this story as it unveils in the coming years.
Is The Silver Labrador Retriever Recognized As A Pure Breed?
Although many believe the Silver Labrador Retriever isn’t a pure breed and pour scorn upon the breeders that produce them, you can actually register them as a pedigree in some countries.
The American Kennel Club allows registration of silver Labradors as chocolate. This is mainly because most silvers (not all as explained later) are a diluted chocolate color.
The UK Kennel Club allows registration of silver Labradors but requires they be registered as ‘non-recognized’.
Do The Traditional Color Breeders Accept The Silver Labrador As A Purebred?
The majority of the breeders of the traditional colors believe the Silver Labrador Doesn’t exist. There is a ‘silver dog’ that looks like a Lab, this cannot be argued, but it shouldn’t be recognized as a Labrador.
The controversy surrounding the origins of the color, with the possibility of Weimaraner genes having been introduced angers them. And if true, it does go against the breed standard so they’d be right to be angry.
But breeders of the Silver Labrador argue that it is a pure bred Labrador.
In many cases, the ancestry can be traced back through a few generations of pedigree dogs and the silvers litter mates are registered as pedigree, so the silvers should be able to as well.
What Does The Silver Labrador Retriever Look Like?
While researching, I’ve only read the Silver Lab historically described as a ‘diluted chocolate color’, an example of which is in the photograph at the top of this page.
However, it’s natural to assume that the gene must have appeared in the black and yellow colored Labradors, but strangely I’ve not seen this mentioned until more recent times.
Certainly today there are many breeders that have actively introduced the dilute recessive d gene into the blacks and yellows, resulting in three distinct colors of Labrador carrying the dilute recessive d gene:
- A diluted chocolate is known as a ‘Silver Labrador Retriever’.
- A diluted black is known as a ‘Charcoal Labrador Retriever’. (an example in photo just above.)
- A diluted yellow is known as a ‘Champagne Labrador Retriever’.
However, these colors must be registered as either chocolate, in the case of the Silver Labrador, or ‘non-recognized’ in the case of the other two.
They are not a recognized color, but if they come from registered parents, you can also register the puppy.
Fears Of In-Breeding In The Silver Labrador Gene Pool
Due to Silver Labradors having been very rare in the early days of their history, the breeders had no choice but to breed their dogs with very close relatives to attempt producing silver litters.
The gene pool was so small, they simply had no choice.
Inbreeding though can cause a wealth of problems when it comes to the health of such dogs, as it can in any small gene pool.
However, a study by LabradorNet on the Silver Labrador retriever population revealed that since 2012, the population now has a relatively decent and varied gene pool.
There are 7 fairly distinct blood lines and hence health problems due to inbreeding aren’t too much of a concern anymore.
That said though, fears still abound that the inbreeding of the past has damaged the health of these dogs.
Certainly caution should be exercised when sourcing a silver lab, by checking the ancestry and health of its parents before buying. But this should be done by all prospective owners before buying any puppy.
Accusations of Silver Labrador Retriever Breeders Only ‘In It For The Money’
There’s usually a premium to pay for what’s often described as a rare and hard to find dog by breeders of silver Labradors.
It’s certainly true in the UK that they’re hard to come by with only a very small number of breeders. But in America, there’s been somewhat of a boom in recent years.
Reaching nowhere near the numbers of the traditional colors, they are nonetheless far easier to find than they were perhaps 15 years ago.
Indeed, a Google search will show many fan pages and breeding kennels dedicated to the Silver Labrador.
The prices charged for a silver compared to the blacks, yellows and chocolates only adds to the anger of the traditional colors breeders, causing even more controversy and dislike toward the Silver Labrador breeders.
They believe the silver breeders have not only sullied the gene pool, introducing foreign genes into the once pure pedigree, but that they’ve done this purely to make a larger profit.
What Are Your Thoughts?
Do you think the Silver Labrador should be recognized as a color of its own? Are the higher prices justifiable? After all, they are in comparison to other colors fairly rare, especially in the UK.
Let us know your thoughts on the controversy surrounding the Silver Labrador Retriever in the comments section below.
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156 comments
Is it important? Their genes? They deserve our love and a place in the world regardless. I have one and she’s the most beautiful, smart and loving dog you could wish for. And she’s ALL Labrador! She has the trademark looks and temperament and I got her from a professional breeder.
Hi Leanne,
My articles aim wasn’t to write them off as unwanted, far from it and I don’t think anybody would argue of their place in the world. All dogs deserve to be loved and to have a good life: Pure-breeds, mixed breeds and complete ‘mongrels’ (for want of a better expression) – they all have something to give and can make wonderful pets…and deserve to be!
The controversy is just about their ‘pedigree’ and whether they’ve been cross-bred or not, making them a mixed breed and not a ‘pure Labrador’.
I’m glad you and you Labrador are very happy together and I’d love to see a pic! Would you send me a picture and her name? With your permission I’ll share it on the Labrador Training HQ Facebook page :-)
I can understand the controversy based on breeder genetic standards, but they sure do look like great dogs. I have a big, calm Weimaner, but it could make for a good mixed breed to combine the two and temper out some of the hyper mess and anxiety of the Weim with the stolid temperament of a good Lab strain…
I have a silver lab and he is WONDERFUL ! He is the most affectionate and friendly dog – smart as a whip too! He has papers and per the silver lab world has a good bloodline but it really is of no issue to me… he was given to me by a lady who paid $700 for him for her 2 and 4 year old . Needless to say when his puppy cuteness faded and everyone realized how big he would be and the responsibility of having a dpg etc she wanted to get rid of him. I had just taken ,u only son off to college a couple,of months before and my bf and I broke up soon after that . I was depressed and emotional crying all of the time . This dog would see me crying and climb up in my lap and nuzzle under my chin to comfort me – he was the frozen dni needed during a rough timeC. He wakes me up w leash in his mouth paw smacking my head ro let me know it’s time to go for a walk lol best pet ever!!’
Good morning Mark,
Just wondering if you could help me, I am looking for a SILVER breeder in Gatineau Québec or Ottawa Ontario or the nearest possible to these locations. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
I can’t help I’m afraid – I assume you’ve tried googling a few terms?
I just saw a litter of 12 silvers at my vet’s office last Thursday. They are 5 & 1/2 weeks and the woman said she owns both the mother & father. Leamington Animal Hospital on John Street Leamington Ontario might be able to help you out on contacting the owner. The pup I saw was a darker gray……like the adult dog above.
go to AKC.org and you’ll find a breeder there. They will usually mention the silver/charcoal/champagne if that is what they “specialize” in.
Have you found a breeder yet? I can recommend one from the US, we have a silver from this breeder and she is an amazing dog!
Could I please have the breeder’s information?
We live in Fargo, ND & currently have pups available around February 1, 2017. We will not ship, but we can deliver for the cost of expenses – car & gas. We have 4 males left & 2 females. There is a $300 non-refundable deposit and $950 due at time of possession . Text or call 1-701-936-0091 if you’re interested.
Both AKC parents are on site & pups come with health guarantee.
Get one for sure…I have a female…she is about to turn two…great dog…as are all labs…I don’t care about any controversy…I have only had labs my entire life….she is definitely a lab.
Greetings! My wife and I are owners of a 8 month old silver male called Simon Peter. I am surprised with the large amount of breeders/owners who bolster there criticism of the silver color by citing to “authorities” on the subject who, from my initial look at their credentials leave much to be desired as far as being an authority on the subject. Mr. Vaderwyck spent most of his life as a cook and as a social worker. I have read no published reviews of him expounding on canine genetics. Also, the LRC, Inc., put out a position statement that includes the byline of Dr. Smith, one of their board members, who is a Vet with a PhD which suggests she is n authority. However, her expertise is not in genetics. I think it is amazing that there is so much negative discourse about the harm done to the purity of the breed if a silver was to be accepted, and especially since there isn’t a breeder alive that owns an American lab that is 100% pure. Now let me say that again. There isn’t a single American Lab that is 100% pure bred. This is so because there was all of that cross breeding that took place before the standards were “set” and became the official acceptable breeding starting place. So, if that “ain’t the pot calling the kettle black”? What I want to see is a paper presented by an expert in genetics that has been peer reviewed and validated. But that is unlikely to happen because it would make lot of people eat a little crow. So …. is this entire subject really about the dog? Me think the lady doth protest too much. The State of Missouri has the perfect answer. Show Me.
I love my Silver Lab, Rosie is smarter than most people I know!
Ha ha! I agree!
I have a 1 year old male Silver. I think he looks more like a taupe color. A diluted chocolate. He has all the trademarks of a Labrador. The darker stripe down the back and webbed feet and otter tail. He is so very smart and he definitely has the temperament of the labs. I previously had a yellow and chocolate lab for 16 years each, they were father and daughter. Even though this one is no relation he acts as if you took those two and bred them! He is the perfect dog and beautiful. He does have his registration papers and the gene papers on him.
Hi, my family is patiently waiting for their new silver lab puppy. Did you have to register your puppy as a chocolate?
Reading thru the comments and then find this example. So your silver lab looks inbred? This is where a lawyer says “Your honor, I rest my case.” Anyone who has been around labs long enough and has seen a Weimaraner even once can take a quick glance at the face and see Weimaraner traits clear as day.
Fatty Long, I completely agree. We had labs growing up. As an adult I owned a black lab and my mom still had labs (her last 2 were yellow). I am now heavily involved in the weimaraner world. The face, eyes, ears and head are dead give aways to the weimaraner. The spacing of the eyes on the “silver labs” are nothing like those you will find on the chocolates, yellows or blacks. I feel this is going to be a contradiction for many more decades. Way way way back when I’m sure a weim was snuck in there somewhere for that strong D recessive gene. My last foster pup was half chocolate lab (dad) and half weim (mom is actually related to one of my weims). Just my opinions though since I’m not a geneticist. She might be colored like the lab and a coat texture like it but you look at her face and it’s full on weim. Which is how I feel about the “silver”. This is just my opinion as to what I have seen being involved in both worlds.
I have 2 female silvers, their DNA results are 100% Labrador Retreiver. Their parents are: Yellow dam, and Chocolate sire. There is zero weim in these 2 girls. Their colouring is more of a ‘greige’ like a light light chocolate but if the light hits them right there’s a silver sheen like a halo effect making them look silver.
As a breeder of the Labrador, I have studied most all that is out there about the “silver” lab. I find that Mr. Vanderwyk’s study on Labrador Net’s assessment is very much true and to the point. Even on this thread, 9/2015 Josh, says; “As a Weimaraner breeder, I can’t help but believe that these are designer dogs, like a puggle, or a labradoodle. Look at the skull, it looks like a mix between dogs. Look at how the eyes start off blue…….”. Look how many “cross bred” dogs you have seen that look like a lab, a pit, or a shepherd, yet we know they have half mother’s and half father’s genes and looks don’t make for pure.
Though we love the fox red Lab, it is still yellow and must be recognized as such. We live in a society that we have been led to believe if we can hang the tag of “rare” on something, it becomes expensive. Could this have been the ultimate motive for the first diluted breed called sliver? Just saying
I agree it looks an awful lot like a Weimaraner
I agree 100% my good friend has one and it’s temperament isn’t anything like a Labrador either.
Looks an awful lot like a Weimaraner
Well maybe your friends isn’t a full bloded lab then or maybe they don’t give it the attention it needs. Because every silver I know acts EXACTLY like a lab and I have had both. They are very different.
I have one, that was silver at birth, but now more charcoal. She is registered as chocolate. she comes from a very good bloodline, and actually has the best conformation of all of the pups in her litter (6 blacks, 3 silvers) She is a lab in every sense. Her mother is chocolate, and has won best of breed in shows, her father is black and has master hunter in his line. I wish I could post a picture of her here…
@Becky, if you’d like to send some pics of your dog please email us at payments (at) labradortraininghq (dot) com. We’d love to share more pics of Labs on our page.
Hi yall, I have a BEAUTIFUL MALE SILVER FACTOR CHOCOLATE. ….. I’M FOR NEEDVILLE TX. WE’RE ANY TYPE OF HUNTING IS VERY BIG AND IMPORTANT AROUND HERE!!!!. NOW I’M GOING TELL YALL ,YOU TALKING ABOUT A BIRD DOG!!! THIS DOG IS ALL OVER IT!!! HE IS AMAZING! !! I DON’T CARE IF THEY ARE BLACK, BROWN, YELLOW, SILVER, OR PURPLE JUST TAKE CARE OF THEM !!!
Is it important? It must be important seeing that you sought out your dog from a “professional breeder” who breeds unwanted recessive genes for cash money.
I believe all dogs should be loved no matter what breed. By supporting a “professional breeder”, who breeds dogs that are unable to be AKC registered, is completely unresponsible. There are thousands of purebred dogs dying in shelters across the US, along with designer breeds. You are contributing to the problem. Sure, your dog is cute and all lab (so you say)
I have a silver lab and she is the sweetest most loving dog I’ve ever had . I’ve also had many other labs in past two which ended up w cancer. I’ve never in my life seen a dog show love like she does .
As a vet, the handful of “silver labs” I’ve seen look for all the world like Lab/Weim crosses, including in body confirmation. I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that some breeders have introduced a different breed to get the color.
I agree. They have a thinner tail, longer ears, less stop and width in the head, and often the deep narrow chest of a Weim. I’m assuming they share some pointer traits too, like perhaps having higher exercise needs, being more birdy, etc. I’ve owned GWPs and Labs and love both the pointing and retrieving breeds. I also think crossbreeds have their place and deserve every bit of love. Does that mean i think someone should have crossed two great breeds (on purpose or by accident) and lied to sell a ‘rare’ colour? No! Do I like that some people will pay more for that colour? No! in both cases because I think anyone who breeds or buys a specific colour for the rareness does not have the best interest of a breed or individual dog at heart, and in the case of the buyer, probably hasn’t done their research either.
Its completely pointless to attempt to research the bloodline of a silver lab because at some point in their pedigree there is going to be a sire listed that didn’t actually sire the little registered under it because the actual sire was a Weim. The breeders probably had no idea that a Weim bred their bitch because none of the pups woukd have shown the dilute color coats. They would have been carriers of the dilute gene and passed that gene along to their offspring and the first Silver would not have been born until two of those carriers were bred together. This probably took years to occur. Registering these dogs as labs is going to infect the entire breed with dilute carriers and only those with the tightest and most secure bloodlines will be spared. Anyone who knowingly breeds a silver lab or a known carrier of the dilute gene is responsible for ruining hundreds of years of intense breeding efforts that established the lab. I hope you’re proud of yourself.
I simply adore them , but the cost difference is a big deterrent for an average family to afford. Which is a shame for the loving, attentive homes and families that would be an absolute perfect match otherwise.
Whether your individual dog is a fine specimen or not isn’t the issue. Silver lab dogs are not the same and come with a variety of different behavioral and physical “tendancies” that only a real proffesional would pick up on. I say tendancies because the different attributes of an individual vary greatly. Especially in cross bred dogs, which i suspect silver labs really are. If you don’t take my word for it, here is a video from a trainer of labradors who hosts a wide variety of dogs. As much as he tries to be positive about every dog you can see him really struggle with the silver and i feel bad for it. Stonnie dennis different lab types part one.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VQvjtDfQ78k
Apart from the less than standard disposition, they have a variety of issues that carefully cross bred dogs do not. A pointer and retriever cross like a silver lab will probably lose some of both skills. Also i think suggesting 7 familys is enough is a bit ludicrous. Thats only 4 generations before everyone is cousins. Labs are inbred enough with a coi of 7%
To Charles Norris, you make it clear that you are on the puriest side of the fence when it comes to silver labs but you and the trainer kind of squash alot of your theory yourselves. First off. I have a silver lab she looks nothing like a weimaraner, as a matter of fact she could be a show dog. Of course she can’t because she is silver, but she is thicker, broad chest, wider head, fat tail at the connection point, shorter leggs. Just over all stocky show dog American style. She also has 100% foodie temperament. She was extremely easy to train as a service dog and she LOVES to run sfter a duck. There isn’t anything about that dog that you could possibly think is weimaraner other than the color argument. She has an extremely good pedigree that goes back more generations than necessary for AKC to call her pure. Now, that dog in the video doesn’t look anything like my Dog but it did look more like the other British/English style dogs he had with him. However he made sure not to show them for comparison. I will give you that dog did not have perfect standard looks but many English labs don’t and they are plenty pure. He started off saying that dog was behind in training so comparing the was it was acting or what it was capable of wasn’t fare. Plus he showed how easy the little foodies were to train and mentioned the English have more energy, don’t stand still and are a little harder to get attention for training. So that would make perfect sense that this dog wouldn’t behave the same way as the other pups that just followed him around because he had food in his hand. It was hard not to notice that he didn’t show another English “pure lab” of approved color at the same training level to compare and see if they would be as difficult. I would be willing to bet it would have been similar. What I’m getting at is, it seemed pretty obvious that the trainer was also a purist or at least against Silver being approved and was doing his very best to use his training video to try to shun the Silver lab and name call them inbred. I have no doubt that there are some out there, but the AKC has done its due diligence to prove that the Silver labs, that have been tested, are pure. The only reason they are not recognized at this point is because of the lobbying by the LRC. It was one a recognized color until they were bullied into taking it back. There is factual data to back up the claim that Silver labs are pure but you naysayers have none in your direction.
i, sorry but there is no such thing as a “professional” breeder when it comes to dilute and out of standard colours like this, it is backyard breeding, whether they health test, look after pups the best they can and check all the boxes for a professional, there isn’t such a thing, this colour is out of the labrador standard meaning your breeder has bred out of standard dogs meaning not professional. i agree that all dogs deserve love and affection from us, whether it’s a well bred pure bred or some mutt that’s totally backyard bred.
Thank you for the article. I have definitely run into prejudice against my silver on the FB Lab groups. If you ask me, the introduction of Weimaraner genes into the Lab line would not be an insult to the breed. However, I understand why there is a standard to all breeds.
First and foremost to me is the ability of the dog to perform it’s duties. In my case, it is hunting of game birds. My silver came from two great lines of hunting dogs. The bitch was a black with a fox red aunt, and the sire was a silver. The litter produced contained 2 blacks, 3 chocolates, 4 silver/charcoal, and 1 champagne. I would have been happy with any of them. The breeder was a good friend of mine that bred his bitch in order to continue his black’s hunting skills into the next generation of dogs for him, not to produce income. He tells me the sire is an even better hunting than his black and just happened to be a silver. I’m fortunate to be able to have one of his pups. I am confident if I do my part, she will turn out to be great hunter and an even better companion.
Hi Dave,
It happens on the LTHQ facebook group too! I post pictures of the facebook page fans dogs, anyone that asks as long as it’s Lab or Lab-mix. If I post a Labrador cross-bred with any other breed, not a problem. Yet when I post a picture and describe it as a ‘Silver Lab’, LOADS of people post: ‘They don’t exist!‘ and ‘It’s a Weimador‘ and even ‘I can’t believe you would post such pictures on a LABRADOR page!‘. And sometimes other things not so nice.
like you, I understand and I do agree with the desire to keep the Labrador breed pure. But this is happening for those that want that! On the flip side of ‘keeping breeds pure’, there’s an awful lot of good sense and reason in diversifying the gene pool of dog populations because the way we’ve selectively bred for certain looks and within shallow gene pools has resulted in so many dogs suffering poor health due to hereditary genetic defects. Though this is thankfully getting better due to more breeders responsible with health screening before breeding.
Anyway, personally…and like most people…I just love all dogs. I’ve only ever owned 6 dogs in my life, and only 3 of them have been pure breed Labs. And you know which my favorite dog of all time was? (Can you say this? Or is it like saying which is your fav out of your children and you shouldn’t do it? haha) My favorite ever dog was a collie-labrador-‘Something else’ mix called Gyp that I had growing up! The result of a Labrador-mix breeding with a pure Collie. The dog was a nutter, more energy than I knew what to do with as a child / teenager, confident like you’ve never seen, so intelligent, obedient and under control for my father (who trained him well) yet nicely mis-behaved, out of control, naughty and playful for me and my brothers :-)
So my view on Silver Labs is: I love them! I think they look absolutely beautiful and I defy anybody to see one and not say how gorgeous they are. I’m glad they exist, in the same way I’m glad Yellow Labs do, and Chocolates, and Rottweilers, and Shar-Peis and my mongrel mix Gyp that I had as a kid.
I understand and really do agree with people who want to passionately keep breeds pure and stick to the standards. I hope they succeed, I really do. It would be tragic to lose the predictable looks, skills and traits that specific breeds offer. But in my opinion there’s also room in the world for Silver Labs, however they were created. And all and any other dogs too! Just my 2 pence worth.
It might help if people had come up with a different name for them other than ‘Silver Labrador’ all those decades ago? That maybe would have avoided a lot of the argument that rages on. But then, what else could they be called?
Your Silver sounds great Dave, I hope she turns out to be a good companion and hunting partner for you. You should send me a pic to put on my Facebook page?! I’d love to see her…And there’s not been an argument on there for a while now so one’s due, haha.
I’m a bit confused by the use of the words hunting dog. I’m very familiar with the breed and have strong feelings about breeding to bring reccessive genes to the fore to make a new ‘fashion’ of a breed. However I have always known Labrador Retrievers to be working gundogs used for retrieving game on shoots. In my opinion a hunting dog is one who hunts by scent as a bloodhound, fox hound, beagle etc. Therefore a Lab is working in the field during the shooting season. He does not hunt. What do others think?
Seriously?
Really? Semantics…labs retrieve hunted game. Should I pare it down any further?
I have a silver male named Jeter, and he is a hunting dog just like my yellow lab chipper they have excellent noses and can sent game very well, I guide hunts on at a hunting club and my Jeter is not even a year old and he is senting birds and flushing them and reverting them as well if yo don’t think labs can hunt then you don’t know the breed as well as you think you do. not trying to be rude,labs can and will hunt if you train them too they are great dogs with a wonderful temper and are very perceptive and smart dogs,
I’ve done a lot of research into the controversy before I decided to buy a dilute labrador. On my website I have a page of links to commonly referenced sites (and I’m hoping to add this one if I may) in support of both sides of the argument. For me, it boiled down to the start of the breed… the St Johns Water dog… from Newfoundland. When the dogs were discovered, there were two types… a large heavy version and a smaller, lighter-built version. Both co-existed in the area (and I would have to believe interbred). The larger version of the dog was renamed the Newfoundland, the smaller version was renamed the Lesser Newfoundland and then later, the Labrador to avoid confusion. Since the Newfoundland breed is known to carry the dilute gene, I can’t understand why people find it so implausible that the Labrador does as well. I think the main concern is why it took so long to materialize? For starters, the dilute gene was “tied” to the chocolate color. Chocolate is already a recessive color… requiring two recessive genes for it to show. To produce dilutes, you had to first produce chocolates and then you had to produce chocolates that carried two copies of the recessive dilute gene. I refer to it (I’m sure incorrectly) as a double-recessive trait… a recessive trait requiring yet another recessive trait for it to show up. Right there you can see that it’s not going to be very common. Producing dilute chocolate labradors required very focused breeding practices and you are right… inbreeding in the earlier days. The gene now has since been introduced into the black and yellow colors so that (again, like you’ve said) all three of the traditional colors also have a dilute counterpart. In some of the very early books on the Labrador, Countess Howe talks about silver/grey labrador puppies and the original standard for the Labrador said Chocolate varied from light to dark. Of course in the early days it was common to cull any dogs that were different or not what the breeders were hoping for. My belief is that practice along with the genetic facts kept the gene from coming to the forefront for a considerable amount of time. Just my take on it.
Hi Elizabeth,
Of course you can link to my article in your list of references. And thank you for such a thoughtful and informative comment! You seem to have read and certainly know much more on the subject than I do!
That’s very interesting about the Newfoundland carrying the dilute gene, have they been know to carry this since the origins of the breed? Or did it appear much later on? If they have had it since the start then I agree it’s logical to think the Labrador would too as they have a very closely tied ancestry. I shall have to Google and read up on this.
Elizabeth, wow! I just checked out the resources on the subject you’ve collected on your site: Very comprehensive and I like the fact you supply info for both sides equally. I have 10 days off work coming up for Christmas…I’ll make a point of going through some of the articles you’ve linked to.
I realize this thread is older. Can you supply the links to the articles in which you are referring? Very Interesting!
Sure. I was referring to Elizabeth Mallory’s website (commented above), that has a very good collection of resources: https://skylitfarmlabradors.shutterfly.com/researchlinks
It is interesting to Note that Elizabeth Mallory is on a “restricted” list in the Kennel Club and cannot register or legitimately breed her dilute dogs. Of course she would only cite sources which cast a favorable light on a disqualified condition which she is trying to promote.
Please show me where i am on some sort of “restricted list” as i am unaware of this anomaly. NZ does not register dilute labrador retrievers so i suppose in a twisted way you are correct. However where you are incorrect is that I personally am not on any sort of restricted list, my dogs are registered with the AMERICAN Kennel Club WITH breeding rights AND if you had bothered to read the MANY references on my website you would have learned that I have links to BOTH sides of the debate. I want people to make INFORMED decisions… not just follow Chinese whispers.
I have looked for restricted lists from both when Gail commented and now, and can’t find any with Elizabeth’s name. Would it be wrong to suggest that “Gail” is really just Jack Vandergrumper spouting more anti-silver nonsense?
May I contact you? I want to purchase a silver.Need info on a breeder
There are LOTS of great groups on Facebook to join if you are interested in a dilute labrador retriever. Check out https://www.facebook.com/groups/SilverLabradorRetrievers/ It’s a good place to start.
We first saw Silver Labs about 7 years ago, and the breeder sold out before we could get one, as always having been fans of the Labs, we wanted one, found a breeder, we called, asked several questions, one of them being “where did they come from?”, the breeder simply stated that they are created by breeding a chocolate lab with a champagne lab, ours is silver but carries the champagne gene.
When we took her to the vet for her first visit, he immediately got on the local veterinarian’s “intra-net” and proclaimed that he “found the “unicorn”, that he had a silver, the other vets in town were in disbelief, until he posted a picture of her.
I thin it quite funny that people that have never seen or even heard of silver’s, automatically think they are part Wiemariener, but our girl is 100% Lab, not much of a guard dog, but one heck of a watch dog, she can hear a mosquito break wind from 1/4 mile away LOL.
I would like your web info to visit the litters please
Thank you for the neutral article on the dilute Labrador retrievers. This is actually one of the most factual articles I have encountered.
In regards to the dilution gene, I think it is prudent to remember that several breeds which carry the dilution gene were used in the creation of the Labrador retriever, prior to the closing of the stud books. Some of these breeds are: Chesapeake Bay Retriever (occurs in dilute), Greyhound (occurs in dilute) and Portugese Water Dog (occurs in dilute). Mary Roslin Williams, who is considered to have been one of the foremost authorities on Labrador retriever breeding, mentions the infusion of Greyhound into the Labrador retriever. The purpose was to add speed to the field trial dogs. She mentions this in her speech to the Labrador Retriever Club (LRC) in 1986 (you can find it online).
Another interesting source which suggests the presence of dilute Labrador retrievers (prior to the first dilute puppy being born in the United States) is written in “This is the Labrador Retriever” by Dorothy Howe, published in 1984. On page 144, she writes, “In both the past and present, there have been grey puppies of a lovely silvery color at whelping, but they very soon start to darken”. This suggests a dilute black puppy, also known as “charcoal”.
“The Labrador Retriever”, written by Lorna, Countess Howe and Geoffrey Waring, published in England in 1978 also makes an interesting suggestion. In describing breed standards of the time, they write, “The colour is generally black or yellow but other whole colors are permitted”. Notice they use the plural form of the word “colour”, which suggests there were other colors besides black, yellow and chocolate.
Currently, there are quite a few Labrador retriever breeders of dilute colors who are involved in an “improvement movement”. These breeders generally refrain from breeding identical lines, which generally means no “dilute-to-dilute” breedings. This practice improves genetic diversity within the lines. In addition, these breeders are committed to advanced health testing including OFA hips and elbows, Exercise Induced Collapse, Degenerative Myelopathy, Centronuclear Myopathy and Progressive Retinal Atrophy, to name a few.
You’ve given some interesting facts and food for thought, thank you!
I have to admit I haven’t read the books quoted…but the passages you mention don’t explicitly say that dilute labs were seen, they just kind of hint at it or could possibly be interpreted that way. I’ve yet to see (or read) any explicit, inarguable reference to dilute colors any earlier than the mid 20th century. Of course this isn’t to say that they aren’t referenced (or existed) and I’m far from the most well read on the subject, not even close, but I would think that with so much debate and so many people heavily invested into the debate that any such evidence would have been uncovered and had huge media coverage in the dog world by now. So I can only think that for whatever reason, nobody did mention dilute labs before 1950 or so? Which you have to admit is kind of odd?
But along with Elizabeth’s comment above, you make the same very valid point about the ancestry of the Lab containing breeds that are also known to have dilute colors, so it’s hardly a stretch to think that Labs should have the genes.
It’s all a bit of a mess isn’t it? It’ll be interesting to see how things develop over the coming years. One thing we can be pretty sure of though is that the dilute colors aren’t going to go away! So I would guess eventually they will have to be recognized in some capacity?
Either way, I love the dilute colors personally, beautiful looking dogs :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this article! I have a silver lab (registered as a chocolate). I understand why there is some concern over another breed of dog, or gene pool being introduced. However, many silver lab breeders have had their dogs DNA tested, in an attempt to at least try to appease the “lab purists.” But as your article points out, even the pure bred labs, came from a combination of several other dogs. The way I look at it, if the AKC recognizes Silvers as a dilute Chocolate, and allows them to be registered as such, they are either “pure bred” Labradors, or you have to question thearacter of the AKC, and consequently the”pureness” of any breed of dog recognized, or registered, by them. After all, if your black lab (or yellow or chocolate) is a pure breed dog, because they are registered, why isn’t my silver?
Hi Brian….thank you for your thoughts!
There are new breeds introduced (or accepted) every year, and the odd amendment made to existing standards here and there. I would think with the rising popularity and population that eventually something will have to give. I’m not sure how the process works exactly but will certainly be keeping an eye on it.
SO RIDICULOUS. So many backyard breeders are producing “rare” colors for profit. It is certainly not to preserve and promote the history of the recognized breed. The rare colors are from such a small gene pool that they will soon reverse all of the hard work over the years by breeders that really care. And to everyone that is defensive saying they own a “silver lab,” why did you seek it out? The rarity. To be different. Why not get a typical color? Because you will pay the (usually) absurd price to have something different and rare… With no clue about the consequences this is creating behind the curtains. You are fueling the insanity.
When you say DNA tested, do you mean those breed tests? DNA tests for breeds are fraudulent and laughable. I know folks with purebred dogs from reputable breeders who got tests done for fun and all came back as mutts. One particular one was a Golden Retriever whose test came back as a Chihuahua mix (with other small breeds). The lab confirmed that there was no mixup with the samples and the results were accurate. Breed tests for dogs, at this point in time, cannot be trusted. They can’t accurately determine a purebred dog.
I would hope people would take a study group (a large group) of absolutely purebred Labradors (in chocolate, black, and yellow for the sake of removing any possibility of impure dogs) and test them for the zygosity of their D gene through a reputable lab (UC Davis for example). If Labs do carry the recessive allele, then at least a few out of thousands of purebred non-dilute Labs would be heterozygous. Then we could stop the ridiculous debate once and for all.
I won’t get into my personal beliefs on these dogs. Regardless of what side you’re on someone from the other side will tear you apart like the immature child they are.
Purebred or not, these dilute dogs are still living creatures. I do not advocate mix breeding, backyard breeding, or designer breeding by any means. Not because I hate the dogs, but because breeding them serves no purpose at this point in time other than to increase the population of potentially unhealthy animals (hybrid vigor is not actually true) and unhappy people (those who are fooled into believing that all poodle mixes are hypoallergenic, for example).
I agree with you regarding the DNA testing. It isn’t worth the cost of the paper it’s printed on. But I have to disagree with you that taking a sampling would answer the question once and for all. There is no way to end the debate. Well none that is possible at least. The only way to “prove” whether dilute labradors are pure or not is to go back to the founding dogs of the breed… and I mean back to the St John’s water dogs that were imported to serve as the basis of the development of the Labrador Retriever. We would need to test THOSE dogs and then we would need to test EVERY dog that was crossed with those dogs up until the stud books closed. This would include testing all the non-labrador dogs that were knowingly and deliberately crossed into what would become the Labrador Retriever (per Mary Roslin Williams… you can read her article and listen to her speech on my website). These other breeds were deliberately brought into the Labrador Retriever gene pool to enhance specific traits and those breeds are KNOWN to carry the dilute gene. If we could do that… test all of those dogs for the dilute gene… it is then and only then that we can say DEFINITIVELY whether the dilute gene is an innate part of the Labrador Retriever or not.
I’ve had fabulously good results with the breed cheek swab tests, both confirming known and suspected breeds in my purebred and rescue dogs. I hear the mix up stories often, but I think negative stories just get more press. I’m inclined to believe they are a good resource, as long as one understands the limitations and procedures well.
I had my silver lab blind DNA tested. I did not supply the breed name and she came back pure lab on both sides. She looks nothing like, nor is her temperament like a Weim. Even her color is more brownish gray than the glossy silver gray of a Weim.
Hello, I have a question on the silver lab! I am interested in purchasing an AKC Chocolate Lab, the mom is Black and the dad is silver, what are the chances of breeding her later and getting silver puppies? Say I bred her with another Chocolate with the Father of the stud having silver father does that raise the chances of having silver pups? Or say I bred her with a Chocolate with no silver in the bloodline, do I still have a chance of getting silver? I was hoping to stick to the traditional colors thats why I am concern with purchasing! And to be frank, Im just rather curious! Any help would be great, Thanks!
Hi Marcy,
Labrador coat color inheritance is something I only briefly looked at and understand on the simplest level I’m afraid. To give you an idea of the relative complexity, please read this detailed guide.
Elizabeth, who commented above has a very good list of resources collected on the subject at her website, looking at the info she has put together may help (I hope you don’t mind me linking Elizabeth?): Sky Lit Farm Labradors – Resource Page
Other than this, perhaps ask in a ‘silver friendly’ forum for others advice?
Hi Marcy. There is a great tool on http://www.phantomlabradors.com/inherit.html that will allow you to have a “play” with what might be the outcome of the cross you’ve described. But basically if you breed a dilute (“silver”) lab to a “traditional” (black, chocolate, yellow) lab, the resulting puppy MUST carry the dilute gene (even though it will be traditional in color). This would describe your dog. If for the other dog it too had one dilute parent, it too would carry the dilute gene. Breeding those two then together would hypothetically create 25% traditional puppies, 50% traditional puppies that carry the dilute gene hidden, and 25% dilute puppies. Of course breeding labs (or any dog for that matter) should only be done after thorough health testing of both parents has been done (as there are many genetic diseases your dog can carry that could potentially show up in offspring).
Thank you Elizabeth, very helpful :-)
I have 2 labs a diluted yellow and a diluted chocolate. The yellow has a white coat and green hazel eyes.. The chocolate has a very gorgeous silver coat with pretty blue eyes. We use them to shed hunt and retrieve pheasants. Which came very natural to both of them. Without training they retrieve birds and point perfectly. My silver lab didn’t have much training for sheds. She loves them and naturally finds and retrieves them. Our white lab needed more training and work to get him to retrevie them. Well people love them and ask us all the time if we are going to breed them a lot of people are interested in their offspring. They are both very healthy have great genetic s. I’m just curious how will the puppies turn out. Will they be diluted , white,silver?
First off, did the breeder you bought your dogs from give you breeding rights? If your dogs are registered you will have been given either Limited or Full registration. If only given Limited registration, you did not purchase the rights to breed your dogs. You will need to discuss this with your breeder. It is not usually recommended to breed two dilutes together. The reason for this is that dilute labradors as a whole were highly inbred to initially bring the dilute gene to the forefront. It is a step backwards to then breed two dilute labs together. You want to do a thorough review of both dogs pedigrees to ensure that they do not share common ancestors. This is VERY important with dilute Labradors as many were achieved by significant inbreeding. If all of that checks out, you should never consider entering into breeding unless you have completed all the recommended health testing for your breed. In the case of Labradors you want to genetically test them for the following inherited diseases: PRA/PRCD, EIC, CNM, DM. Even though YOUR labs may be “healthy”, they could both carry 1 copy of the gene for these diseases and when you bred them together, create puppies that HAVE these diseases. Next, you need to verify that they both have good hips and elbows. This is done by xrays that are submitted to either OFA or Pennhips (depending on the type of exam) for scoring. Your labs may be fine now but hip dysplasia which can be severely crippling (common in Labradors) may be lurking there ready to show up at any time. I would also seriously consider testing them for the K gene. This is a color gene but if they both carry the K gene (which is often referred to as “Spash”), your puppies could be born with markings that resemble rottweilers. After you’ve done all of that testing, and if you decide to still go ahead, your two dilutes bred together will ONLY produce dilute puppies. Depending on what hidden genes your dilute yellow and dilute chocolate carry, you could potentially produce any of the dilute colors (dilute yellow, dilute black an dilute chocolate). When you do the genetic testing for diseases and the K gene, you can also test your dilute yellow for the “B” gene (which will determine if they carry black and/or chocolate) and you can test your dilute chocolate to see if they carry the “E” gene (yellow).
Just one more thing… of course you can just not do any of this testing/verification/review and breed your dogs but you should know that is HIGHLY frowned upon and considered irresponsible… especially when it comes to dilutes. Dilutes take such a rap as it is. It is our duty to produce ONLY the very best puppies that we can to help overcome that stigma.
Hi Elizabeth,
I’ve read all of the posts thus far, and have been very impressed with the depth of your information and understanding of this topic. However, respectfully, please be mindful that just because two recessive genes were dominant enough to be passed on in the DNA to produce the traits seen in these dogs, that does not mean that a dilute is the only possible outcome of the pairing of two dilutes. That is like saying that an AB+ human parent and and O+ parent cannot produce an O- child. Both dominant and recessive traits exist in ALL beings and therefore can produce/pass along these traits to the offspring they create.
Hi Amy. I’m not a geneticist but the dilute gene is a recessive gene that requires two copies to actually produce the dilute color. If you breed two dilute colored dogs together, each only carries the recessive copy of the D gene (dd) and it is therefore impossible for a dd x dd pairing (dilute x dilute) to result in anything but a double recessive (dd or dilute) puppy… at least in Labradors where the D gene is the gene believed to be solely responsible for the dilute coloring. A dog that only carries one copy of the recessive D gene (Dd) is not a dilute Labrador. This dog will appear the traditional Labrador coloring but may be said to be “dilute factored”.
I’m a little confused with the article as I thought it was generally accepted that the silvers were indeed created at the Kellogs kennel by inadvertently breeding labradors and weimaraners; both of which were present.
Hi Alan,
It’s one theory that’s mentioned lots around the web. But rather than generally accepted, it’s more partially suspected, though there are people completely convinced what you say is true and some very passionately so!
How does the silver color affect the heath and intelligence and where can I find one that is not so expensive?
As a Weimaraner breeder, I can’t help but believe that these are designer dogs, like a puggle, or a labradoodle. Look at the skull, it looks like a mix between dogs. Look at how the eyes start off blue and then turn yellow as the dog gets older, just like a Weimaraner. Australian Shepard’s eyes don’t turn yellow into adulthood… Look at the ears, much closer to Weimaraner ears vs Labrador ears. Without a doubt, the silver lab is a beautiful dog, but without a doubt, it’s not a full Labrador, it’s got some Weimaraner swimming around in the genes. Which could be good, Weimaraner’s are great swimmers, but kind of prissy when getting in. Labradors are anything but prissy when it comes to water, you could get a dog with the boldness of a Lab and the keenness of a Weimaraner. I might start breeding them myself, but I’ll be honest about it and call them a Weimarador, or a Labraner, because calling them a silver lab is just plain deceitful. I’m sorry if you paid a lot of money for one.
I do so agree with Josh. Breeding to bring out reccesive gene characteristics seems a backward step to me just for the sake of creating some novelty or fashionable colour. Many generations of breeders have carefully chosen how and what stock to breed to create the Labrador we know today and thankfully many do continue to breed to type. My worry is that breeding to bring reccessive genes to the fore in the colour will inadvertently bring other reccessive faulty genes back into the bloodlines which have, over many generations, been carefully and determindly bred out. I can only summarise by saying I think to do this is irresposible and can only be damaging to the breed as a whole and all because people want something a bit different and fashionable. I ask – whose interests do they have at heart? Do they care about the breed? I think not, because if they did they would realise there is a great deal of pride to be taken in owning a pure bred, healthy specimen of any breed, one that is bred true to type and excels at doing the job that it was developed and born for. I sincerely hope anyone wishing to breed Labradors will have their potential parents checked for hip, elbow and eye defects as well as other hereditary faults specific to the breed which can be tested for and only breed with the intention of producing healthy pups and not for something as superficial as colour. Hopefully no-one is niaive enough to think that breeding a quality puppy is as simplistic as putting two silvers together!
I think everyone would agree with every word you’ve said!
My son’s chocolate Labrador just had a litter of 13 puppies she had mostly all black 2 chocolate but we were amazed when she had 2 silver gray ones. Our male is more gray and our female is more silver
These are pretty dogs! But Labrador Retrievers? According to whose standard. ?
In the show ring? I don’t think so!
Hello, I have a friend that has a Silver Lab and they told me that they could not breed their Silver with another Silver. Is that true? If so why?
Good afternoon
I am interested in a silver Labrador in Miami. Do you know any breeders in the area? What do you recommend? Where can I get one of these silver labradors?
Thanks
My wife and I were gifted a Silver about two years ago. Everywhere we have travelled to Tess is the center of attention! The first obvious question is “Is she a weimaraner?”. They look so puzzled when we tell them she is a Lab, lol. We love it! Tess is incredibly smart and one of the healthiest dogs we have been blessed with. She’s an intricale part of our family and to the dirt with any skeptics, we have a Silver Lab who is loved by anyone who is fortunate enough to meet her! God bless you and your Silver!!!!
Also, the friend who gifted Tess to us is a breeder of Labs and is very impress with her traditional markings. After about a year we took her back to visit, he almost teared up as he commented on how much she looked like her grandfather (a Grand Champion) . Her feet are webbed and beautiful head. He said except for the color she could easily compete. Her line can be documented 3 generations. There’s the facts about our beloved Tess. So do not comment about her being a pure blood. Lol. We love this site!!!!! Have a great day!
She sounds great Thomas! Thank you for adding to the conversation and your kind words :-)
I just met a ‘silver Lab’. I’ve owned many breeds over my 60 years and have worked in rescue for 10 years. I know and recognize most breeds (even some of the more rare ones) and have studied AKC guidelines.
BUT nothing about the dog I met said Lab to me. My two guesses were either a bulky Weim or a petite Great Dane.
Those that breed silver labs are you breeding to improve the breed or breeding to improve your pocket book? Are silver labs winning in the show ring? Have you spayed or neutered your silver? Did you purchase it because it’s a “unique” color.
I saw my first silver lab today. The bitch had traits of inbreeding. I am familiar with pure bred inbreeding and she had many of the traits. What’s next? Brindles, two and tri-colors?
I believe that dilute Labrador retrievers COULD be winning in the show ring, if they were allowed to participate in competition. In fact, there are indeed dilute factored and full dilute yellows (aka “champagne”) Labs competing (and winning) in the ring. The truth of the matter is, the Labrador retriever color extremists have made it so difficult for those wishing to compete with their dilute factored dogs (by setting up”anti-dilute” informational booths at shows and wearing “no dilute” pins on their clothing), that only the most calloused of breeders/handlers are currently competing.
In response to your comments regarding inbreeding: there are good and poor representatives of the breed in all colors of Labrador retrievers. I suspect you may have witnessed one of the poorer examples. A couple of years ago, I visited a local hunting retriever training facility, where one of the trainers was excited to show me her “purebred English Lab”. As she paraded the dog in front of me, I had to stifle the rising bile in my throat. Aside from being solid black, the dog looked like a hyena! My companion and I laughed about it the entire 2 hour drive home.
RJ Flanagan, you could not have said it better! Everytime one of the “anti diluters” say anything they are basing it on the poorest reflection of the group. I can see black, chocolate and yellow labs that wouldn’t even pass as a lab all over the place and no one would say the terrible things they do about the Silvers. They would never call them a mutt. But the second they see Silver color its a witch hunt.
I’m in the process of purchasing a silver lab and buying her a a very reasonable price and the seller is not making a big profit. The price: $300.
Good morning, I would really appreciate if could send me some info on the breeder you R talking about and thank you for your time.
I am new to this site as my husband and I are considering purchasing a Silver lab. I had no idea that some consider them as a mixed gene or a Weim. I find this interesting.
We have been researching dogs to breed and since we have a registered yellow lab (which we would not breed again due to her age), we found the silver and are researching breeding them. Can anyone recommend a site or breeder I can research to find a bitch? We have found a breeder that we will get the sire from.
If this isn’t the right place for my questions, I certainly understand. In no way do I want to infringe on your site, so if me asking for breeder suggestions is not acceptable, I certainly respect that you will not post my quesitons.
Thank you for any advice you can share.
Good morning, I would really appreciate if could send me some info on the breeder you R talking about and thank you for your time.
Live in New City, m and my family are planning to have a silver Lab. I will really appreciate, a good Breeder.
Any recommendations. Thanks.
ok, I am a newbie …. does dilute refer to an albino labrador gene? If not, could an albino labrador be used to create the different colors? If this thinking is way out there ….it just lets you know how much of a newbie I am ?
We just put a deposit for our Silver Lab. We have 4 kids in our home and have been thinking about getting a dog that can grow up with our kids. After doing some research about “best family dogs” I come to find out that the labs are the best family dogs. We decided on a lab and since my favorite color is Brown, I thought a chocolate lab was perfect, however as i’m looking thru breeder’s websites, i kept seeing this “no to silver labs” signs. I looked into and saw all the controversy around them, all this talk about “not pure breed” “they don’t exist” bla bla bla! My husband and I just felt bad for these dogs and the controversy, so we decided to go with a Silver, just because they seem to discriminate against :( that’s so sad! So yep, we are now waiting for our Silver Puppy and I could not be happier to welcome him into our home. I don’t know much about dogs and pure breeds but I’m happy to read this article and see all the positive comments about people that are happy with their labs.
Kathy, our silver lab is the love of our lives. He is smart, handsome, active, loving, and very obedient. We were gifted with him, and would get another one in a heartbeat. It’s amusing how some folks seem a bit “snooty” about their dogs and pedigrees, etc – ours is a lab in every way, and by far the prettiest of the breed!
Lab snobs annoy the crap out of me. Having been one for 20ish years I can see how annoying I once was. I’ve had all of the traditional colours over the years and loved them all, some stand out more than others only by personality and my state in life during our time together. I now currently have 2 female ‘silvers’ …and trust me being a lab snob made me hmmm-n-haww over getting them. They’ve been in my life for 14 of their 16 months now, because of my lab snob tendencies I did pay to have them dna tested… and they are both 100% Labrador retreiver, with some pretty amazing relatives. There is zero weimaraner genetics in them. They look like a lab, act like a lab, and dna says their labs…therefore they are labs.
I’m sure there have been unscrupulous breeders who’ve cross bred, but that doesn’t mean All silvers are painted with that brush. As with anything living on this planet we all evolve and develop different adaptations based on our environment – perhaps that too played a part in the dilute genes who knows?
I know I have two amazing milky chocolate (kind of a greige with a silver halo effect, depending on lighting) Labrador retreivers who have every characteristic, temperament, disposition, build and brains of every other lab I’ve had over 20ish years the only difference between them and all the others is their colouring.
Did I seek out silver to be trendy? Nooooo I was dead set against it…even the concept of it. Did I pay a premium price because of their ‘designer colour’? Nope. Paid less actually, because it’s an undesired colour in the snob circles – am I the luckiest gal to have these 2 wonderful girls in my life? You bet I am. And after all, isn’t that really what it’s all about loving your animals and having them love you ?
http://www.weacreeklabradors.com
One of the best places to buy a True Silver Lab. The Sattler’s take pride and care of their breeds. Craig Sattler is a genius when it comes to the individual genetics and care of these dogs. I have seen a few litters during the past 6 years but I do not own one…..yet. Mike Toigo
What Are Your Thoughts? Mutations occur within every organic species. DNA testing could have resolved the ‘crossbred’ issue a decade ago.
Do you think the Silver Labrador should be recognized as a color of its own? If they exist, as they do, and can be reliably produced as a sound, healthy animal then they are not sports and do deserve recognition.
Are the higher prices justifiable? Scarce commodities often have higher prices. The more they are bred and have a higher population ratio the lower the prices will become until they fall in line with the rest of the breed. It’s a self-solving issue.
I think the funniest word in your entire site is the word “Arguably”. Because everyone who understands where “Silver labs” come from know there’s no argument at all. They are mixed breed dogs. End of story.
Care to provide your scientific DNA proof on that statement? I’m sure you have it.
Thankyou for this article with a clear, unbiased explanation!
I am a long time Labrador owner of both registered and non registered Labs in New Zealand. I currently have a 13 yr old chocolate NZKC registered girl and a Champagne unregisterable almost 20 month old from registered imported dilute American parents (Silver and Charcoal) Peri is a delight to own, easy to train and as and lively and healthy as one could wish for.
I would just like to make one comment regarding the term purebred. There is good evidence to suggest that several different breeds were introduced into the Labrador breed from the time they were first imported into UK, and for many years afterwards-like Foxhounds, Pointers, Setters and even greyhounds-to improve the build and hunting skills. Surely they are as much responsible for creating the Labrador of today as perhaps any other breed used at a later date-even if it was after the registered were closed? After all-even if the Weim was used, it was 80 years ago and the breed as it stands should be regarded as pure bred now! However I tend to believe the dilute gene was present from many of those other breeds which carried it and were in the Labrador at the start, like the Newfoundland, just not brought to the surface until two animals that happened to be Dd came together.
I breed stud beef cattle and there in a grading up programme an animal can be regarded as Purebred after 5 generations or containing 31/32nds of the original breeds blood and only 1/32 of the introduced breed.
As for price of puppies-I have seen so called ‘designer’ cross bred dogs advertised for far more than I can buy a NZ born dilute Labrador of any of the 3 shades, descended from American registered parents with pedigrees as long as you care to trace back! I’d love to send you photos of my lovely Champagne girl, eebbdd, if you would like them,
Regards, Sue
Hi Sue,
Sure, send some pics to us via our facebook page and we’ll happily share them…though be warned, there’s usually a bit of backlash and cries of ‘not a lab!’ from many when we do.
All the best!
I have read all posts and decided to throw mine out there in hopes to talk with a geneticist, or someone of equal knowledge.
My issue does not pertain to if the silver/charcoal is a pure breed or not. I do not plan on showing and to be honest having a mix breed can be beneficial as it can lessen the chances of pure breed health issues, but that is another fight for some and not the point of my post.
What I am trying to inquire about in fact does specifically have to do with the health of the dog.
Brass Tacks: I have researched this to the ends of the earth, and all I can come up with is contradictory statements regarding a pure breed or not.
What I am trying to find out is if the silver or charcoal color contributes to health issues.
The Findings: All I have been able to come up with is information about alopecia and specifically in Doberman and German Pinschers. They have been found to have alopecia in their blue colored pups. I have not found anything about labs specifically.
The Question: I would like to know from only a scientific stand point (not a personal opinion), if the color of the fur from a recessive dd gene can increase health issues in a lab. I am interested in all health issues, not just alopecia.
If someone is able to answer that, I am also wondering the following:
If breeding two dd recessive dogs to make a purely silver and charcoal litter is going to increase those risks or not. If the bitch (silver) and the sire (charcoal) do not show health issues (as far as a buyer can tell), and they also have silver and charcoal parents, has the lineage (not line bread) strengthened the color gene to have less issues; or, would it be the same as if it were the one off pup from the litter who happen to be birthed with recessive coloring.
Kind Regards
Yes, of course silver labs should be recognized. We have one, and he is absolutely beautiful. As a previous owner said, he is a lab in every way – behavior, temperament, skills, etc. I used to think the chocolate labs were the prettiest until we got a silver – they are, by far, the most beautiful of the breed.
I am owner of a gorgeous silver female. Hope I didn’t miss this in the material, but does a silver diluted always have dd gene to pass on, or can the dog be silver and also be Dd ? Thanks
What a great thread! As others have stated; unbiased, concise and understandable, based in fact rather than supposition and very informative. We have a WONDERFUL 18 month old “Silver Labrador Retriever”. Because of the love and joy he has brought to our family after losing our last “pup” several years back and being reluctant to replace her, I could not care less about the resolution of the stated “controversy”. All I know is that this boy is ALL Lab! If you were to spray paint him black ANYONE would call him a Lab; block head with associated ear seating, tapered chest, large paws with arched toes, otter tail, open inquiring expression, and that undeniable Labrador goofy but smart and loving temperament. In the interest of resolution I wonder; with all the advances in genetic testing and genomic mapping, isn’t it possible to answer this controversy scientifically? To either deny or confirm the presence of Weim? Also, like another commentator said. if Weim was introduces 60, 70, or 80 years ago shouldn’t the current “Silver Lab” be considered purebred?
My wife and I got upset because we’re trying to rehome our purebred Weimaraner puppies and there’s somebody trying to sell silver labs for twice as much as our Rehoming fee. That’s ridiculous and greedy!
I have posted our first litter of Silver Labs on many FB sites. I have been called fraudulent, a scammer, a liar, a cheat and a puppy mill owner to name a few.
I don’t understand why anyone thinks it is appropriate to share ‘their opinion’ of silvers & their breeders/owners on someone else’s ad. Potential buyers need to read the conflicting research available & beware of other kennel/breeders’ supposedly factual information that is posted.
I’m also wondering why NO ONE brings forth the fact that every species incorporates gene mutation at some point. Gene mutation NOT from being bred with anything different from themselves.
I’m a lab breeder and get enquiries for red fox or silver. I tell them the recognized color by CKC and then they can choose. I’m sorry, every single one of these dogs look like Weimaraners. When visiting in Florida the neighbor had a Weimaraner, he was much bigger and different personality of a lab. I guess I ask the same question as to the people in our neighborhood who have labradoodles, why pay all the money for mixed dog? If the gene is being watered down to get mis marked dogs then the dogs should not be bred. Our job is to breed to make the standard better.
I own two silver labs. Both come from the same kennel in Reedly Ca. Their parents have been given DNA tests to prove they are pure labs. These beautiful labs get a lot of attention when we go out with them. The breeders that say the silver can not be pure and therefore must have weimaraner in their lines. Please explain where the yellow lab came from, they must be mixed to get the yellow gene! Lol
I have a silver lab now, and DNA testing has proved her to be pure lab on both sides of her family. She doesn’t have the temperament or personality or look of a Weim, and doesn’t even have the same silver effect as a weim. She’s a more brown-gray color. I don’t think, even if they were just “watered down breeds” or mixed, that we should just stop caring about them. They’re living creatures too and it doesn’t really matter that they’re not purebred, at least not to me. My pure silver lab is a great companion and has all the trait and personalities and looks of a lab
We have been dog people for over 40 years raising and training 4 German Shepherd Dogs over that period. We retired and after we lost our last Shepherd we decided to change breed to one that was more people friendly. Our Ozzie boy is an 84 lb 4 year old we raised from an 8 week pup. He’s an outstanding dog, crate trained, obediance trained and at our lake house a dock diving swimmer we can’t keep out of the water. Great with kids and adults alike, he also loves to play Frizzbee. He’s a silver, when we have taken to the beach at Fort Myers people comment on his extraordinary beauty and have applauded us jumping surf waves. I am really not to concerned with the controversy he’s registered as a chocolate, been neutered and he’s ours for life. A great partner to share joy, love and laughter. His health has been excellent with not evidence so far of any hip issues. Folks say he should be a service dog, but he’s still has a bit to much puppy left in him, which I hope he keeps for long, long time.
I have had 3 yellow labs in my life and now we have a charcoal lab who is 14 weeks old and I honestly can’t tell a difference in personality just color he is just as outrageous as all the other ones I have had definitely 100% lab
Silver “Labs” should NOT be recognized by the AKC. I have never seen one that fits the breed standard in all other aspects, including conformation, nor have I ever seen one that has been OFA certified. They are mutts – nothing more.
Funny, after reading all of these comments the people who seem to hate the silver are the breeders (puppy mills) that aren’t producing silvers…. sour grapes? Some of these breeders are kicking out 5+ litter a year… who’s in it for the money?
I met a silver for the first time last week. I knew right away it wasn’t a weimer, but didn’t know exactly what it was. I’ll say this, she was beautiful & I ma now considering getting one. I have never been a lab fan, but this dog was beautiful.
I agree with the others on the site about mix breeds, designer breeds, etc… they are mutts. I have a std poodle, and I think any other ‘oodle is a mutt. But silver labs look to be pure lab to me.
Found the article interesting. As a breeder of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, we have a similar controversy in our breed. Chesapeakes also have a dilution gene that produces a dilute brown, unofficially referred to as Ash. Some in our breed hate the color and do not think it should be allowed. Some breeders, even though they had been breeding for decades, had never seen the color and freaked out when in their eyes, the color ‘suddenly’ made an appearance in the show ring. The color though is recorded historically in the breed from the very early days. Not to get into a debate with the Lab breeders, but I can easily see how the dilution gene could have been in the Labrador since its early developmentsince the Lab and the Chesapeake share common ancestry through the St. John dog. Like the early Labs, Chesapeakes still do come in tan point and striped (like brindle, but no black). Just my food for thought as have no dog in this fight :-)
If someone has bred in another breed just to develop a different colour – after the KC standards and pedigree registrations have been established – then is stands to reason someone somewhere has falsified papers and has lied about the pedigree at registration. Maybe this goes on in many breeds – doesn’t mean it is right. Not least because of progression of promoting dna health testing particularly through KC. It makes a mockery of the whole registration process and means pedigrees aren’t worth the paper they are written on. If you don’t want a pedigree fine – cross breed away and manage the risks – but be honest about their breeding lines.
What’s up,I read your blog named “Silver Labrador Retriever Facts And Controversy” on a regular basis.Your writing style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!
I recently adopted a Silver Lab named Titan. He is absolutely the best dog i’ve ever owned. I also believe that they should be recognized and registered as Labs.
I have no problem believing there is a dilute gene that will cause different color variations in labs. But living in PA I have seen nothing but Weimer mixes, and it’s pretty damn obvious. They LOOK like Weimer mixes for god’s sake and they act like it too. If you want a silver lab by all means, get one. But educate yourself and others before you dump a s***load of money into a damn puppy mill that’s making money off of a trend. (not a breeder, or even a lab owner, so no sour grapes here. ) I’ve also seen “red” labs. I wish I had a picture of him for you, he is a hound mix if I ever saw one, and a backyard breeder was making a small fortune off of them. THAT”S why people get upset about it. Because we see people lured in to buying a living animal because it’s become popular or trendy, and then you end up with badly bred dogs who pay the price with their health for people’s greed and FASHION.
If anyone is looking for a Silver Lab my wife and I have a litter that will be ready at the end of OCT 2017. You can contact us at “[email protected]” with any question. We are out of Washington State.
Ask a Dilute breeeder a question about the color history and they ALWAYS have very scientific sounding answers. They will say that Dilute allele comes from EVERY other Breed used to create the Labrador Retriever, EXCEPT the Weimaranar.
What NOT ONE dilute breeder has ever been able to do is answer my question. WHY would ANY responsible breeder breed intentionally to reproduce a DISQUYALIFYING FAULT?
And if the Dilute dogs are SO fantastic that they should be reproduced, why are they seeking out Champoin traditional color dogs to breed with to “improve” their dogs? And Very often they do not dosclose they are breeding dilutes to the stud owners. Sadly, many top stud owners don’t do their own homework to research the dogs to which they are breeding.
Bottom line is that NO RESPONSIBLE breeder would EVER breed to intentionally reproduce a Disqualifying fault.
Each genotype should be registered as it’s true genotype not classified under a single color with a spectrum of acceptable shades. A genotype determines coat coloration. Therefore each genotype IS its own color and ought to be registered as such. Dilute and dilute factored Labs aren’t rare outside of the US. It’s that the Internet has grown enough to reach all corners of the globe and dilute Labrador owners are popping up in Google searches whereas they weren’t before. Plus people move so their dogs move with them. There are dd and Dd Labs all over the world. People who breed to improve the Labrador don’t price based on color. They price litters based on what they’ve invested into their breeding dogs. You will find many breeders price their standard colors the same as their dilute colors across the board.
I am 67 years old.
I have been a plant breeder since I was 11 (1961.).
I learned how to recognize traits in plants before then.
What’s my point?
I have owned seven Labrador Retrievers or near crosses with that breed.
A friend of ours insisted we get one of her silver labs (she previously bred chocolates.).
My experience with Labrador retrievers indicates that each of the various colors have slightly different temperaments.
My current silver is so much like my last chocolate, i sometimes believe she is the reincarnation of that wondrous dog.
SUMMATION:
I have almost 60 years following gene trails-in my laboratories (and more importantly) with my eyes and by judging behavior.
In my humble opinion, there is no mixed blood in my purebred silver, uh chocolate lab.
She is the best dog, everywhere she goes.
Puppy school (and great dog genes) taught me how to accomplish that feat.
Garden Director Tom Liggett.
It must be just me, because most of the Silver puppies I see, I see something other than purebred Labrador! But then I do see some that look really close to a purebred Lab. So to me it seems, some got the mix right and others just winged it! It is very hard to justify a Silver being of pure breed when records dating back have no mention of such a color, but then in the 50’s hello Silver. No one finds that weird or are you just turning a blind eye to the facts and history records! In the end, all dogs go to heaven and love unconditionally. I am sure every Silver is the greatest dog the owner has ever had, what a cliche to say as an argument!
It’s not just you. I have read information supporting what this article says, and I have watched labs for the past 30ish years. Over that time the silver labs have become closer to the standard for a Lab, but like you I still see these dogs as not meeting the standards (aka not purebred). Most I see look like a Weimaraner mix, or a Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix.
For me it is kind of disheartening to see people try to pass off dogs that do not meet the standard as a pure bred and charge good money for it. If it is a mix, like a Labradoodle, just call it that and people will love it for what it is if it is a good dog. Labmaraner’s are a thing, so are Chesadors, if you like them put in the work to get them recognized as a breed but don’t dilute the original breed just because you really want there to be a silver lab. – The Dogo Argentino is a great example of creating a new breed within a few decades. Honestly if the silver labs are either Labmaraner’s or Chesador’s they could have been their own loved breeds by now.
I think silver labs, ought to be registered as such!
I just bought a charcoal. She is beautiful.
From a market standpoint I am okay with having paid a good deal more for the special color. People have paid a premium for rarity since the beginning of time, and as they become more common the market and “specialness” will equalize.
I tend to find pedigree-people to be entirely bonkers. Worse than wine officionados. In my opinion, if the temperament is maintained and the health is average or better compared to high pedigree labs then I’m all for it.
To me, a dog is beautiful no matter what color they are. I am no dog expert on their genetics and all, but a silver labrador is a beautiful and rare find. I would love to have one.
I am amused at all this, “controversy”. I mean, what century are we living in? Do we not have dna testing to solidify the answer? If it’s that important…
Secondly, I ask again for a different reason; what century do we live in? There are people of various backgrounds who are born with diluted traits which we commonly call albino. There are people born with dwarfism. Yet, are they not pure human? Recessive genes of one aspect or another are in everything & predominantly pop out now & again. Two parents with straight blonde hair can produce a dark haired child with curly hair because somewhere that recessive gene decided to show itself.
In either case, dna testing is abundantly common practice – even for our pets. Instead of a big to do, get the silvers tested. If they’re all lab then case closed. If they’re not, then let the pedigree enthusiast run around like their hair is on fire while those who enjoy the silvers live a more enriching life focusing on more important matters to stress over.
FYI-“Backyard” breeder south of SEA selling Lab/PitX’s as “Silvers” for top $.
Extended fam, foolish, status-conscious, young adult recently duped into buying one of these ‘designer dogs’
Breeder said “issues” w/ papers after the fact.
Now has his unneutered, unpredictable, very large, twitchy dog of unknown heritage.
Lg cleft skull, small, light eyes & huge jaw profile.
So far, he’s unwilling to neuter the thing & states he’s going to breed it.
Disaster waiting to happen
There is absolutely no proof still to this day that Weimereiners were bred into the breed to produce the silver lab.
We have a sweet silver lab female and she’s all lab. We’ve had a DNA test done on her through Wisdom and she has come back 100% Labrador and clear for all 153 genetic diseases they can test for as well.
Here’s my stance on the silver gene – I am a breeder of horses. How many people know that once upon a time ALL horses were bay dun. Every single one. Then these recessive and dominant genes starting appearing…creating blacks and sorrels. As time went on, more recessive and dominant genes appeared…cream, silver, splash white, dominant white, max white, champagne, spots…
ANY animal is capable of mutated genes even in a well regulated and PURE line. These silver labs are no different. Just something to think about.
Rachel—-It’s very hard to believe that you had a clean dna test, or maybe it doesn’t give lineage/parentage and only confirms that it’s a “canine”. Please stop calling these weimaraner mixes “pure labs” “pointing labs” or silver labs. Weims point, labs don’t. Anyone with eyes can plainly see that these are mixes. I’ve owned both breeds. Labs don’t carry a silver dilution gene, weims do. Blk dilution to choc and yellow is a fact and a common occurence—but not silver. They may be nice dogs, but not true labs. It’s the most obvious scam perpetrated by bored Labrador breeders back in the 1950’s. AKC etc. will give any dog “papers” if someone writes in the parentage info–even if it’s made up by the breeder. NO one from the akc shows up at your door asking to see proof. Pay the fee and you get “papers”. Please don’t tarnish the breeds by combining them.
Hearn’s its hard to believe you have any experience with Labs or Weims. I have two DNA tests that say you are wrong. Neither of my dogs point…they do however retrieve ducks. Neither look like a Weim or act like one. Documentation exits of Silver labs in England well before 1950. Please stop spreading what amounts to opinion and willful ignorance regarding Silvers.
I am a owned of a silver lab and I do think they should be able to be papered under silver lab and not as a chocolate lab .Were getting ready to breed her in the next few months. So if you would like any pictures of her or possibly one of her puppies let me know and I will let you know when there here.
I’ve owned Labrador Retrievers most my life , 49 years now that I’m counting, and was around them since I can remember. 2 uncles had great black labs that were excellent at flushing n retrieving as we followed closely. Labs rarely need to be admonished for getting out of shot range..
. I didn’t know of colors other than black until after I received my first lab at 13.
Since then I’ve hunted thousands of hours with various dogs of the 3 registered colors, including fox orange, but never a coal dog. I feel in love with the chocolate color till I hunted behind them . Get black or yellow if you hunt.
Though I feel every puppy will bring joy to the owner, I don’t think an off black, nor silver qualifies to be registered but still can be wonderful dogs.
Just not registered. I’m no pro though I’ve sold over a hundred lab puppies. I have no problem with the variations in yellows, but I do feel Wimeriner had a part in production of silver, gray, or coal pups. Today I own a pure bred yellow that I didn’t register, simply because she has a nervous tic that makes her walk sideways.
Only the best, of a litter should be registered. Fortunately Only one of the puppies I sold was not allowed. Simply because I said not this one, but I still gave the pup away, no papers.
I like Labradoodles, but refused to allow my labs to be crossed for what looked very prosperous. I likewise don’t have good feelings toward a 3rd color being added. Where will that stop. Lets follow the standard.
Hello,
I have a yellow and black lab. Both lived to 12 and 14 yrs. After my black lab died, I decided to get a silver American lab so I wouldn’t cry all the time but wanted a lab temperament.
My female silver lab is loveable, intelligent and a beauty.
However, as she grew to a hound adult, I was bewildered about her behavior and traits. She is AKC lab but her traits are a Weimaraner! Thankfully I am retired so I devote many hours to training and exercise. Agility work seems to be the best medicine to keep her mind and body active.
Bottom line, there must be Weimaraner in her. And I will love her and make the best life for both of us.
My dreams of taking my lab everywhere: cafes, stores, etc. May never happen as with my other labs. She does not like unknown dogs too close. I socialize her in ever way possible since she was a puppy. Cafes, dog daycares, everything. After 2 yrs old she began to change and is aggressive towards unknown dogs. Love what you have. And I do, couldn’t image my life without her.
AKC allowing these so-called “silver” dogs to be registered is a disgrace to the breed and will be its ruination. They look like a Weimaraner, period. Allowing this to happen to the breed is incomprehensible, and I honestly cannot believe that the Labrador retriever world has nit made a larger fuss about it! My last yellow Lab has great breeding, and had the long ago line of Super Chief I n her; she lived to be 16. The backyard breeders just want the money by calling them “rare,” and whatever else just to entice unknowledgeable people to buy them. It was a bad, bad, bad day for the breed when AKC did nit put a stop to the sullying of the wonderful Labrador retriever breed.
Hello we rescued a silver lab from a humane society. They have her listed as a lab but the vet says she’s a mix. My question is because she’s silver, wouldn’t that make her pure bred?
Can you get a silver lab if the parents aren’t purebred?
I don’t recognize them as pure…Just do a DNA test and it will be spelled out for you..
You don’t have to recognize them as pure…you are welcome to your wrong opinion. Silver Labs existed and were documented well before the 1950s. Both my Silvers have been DNA tested. They are 100% Labs…period. People can believe whatever they like …but DNA doesn’t lie. The reality is all those who believe they were breed with Weimaraner’s…they aren’t purebreeds… etc etc etc are wrong. It’s just that simple.
I did…two as a matter of fact. 100% Lab. As a matter of fact…it’s the DNA testing that’s going change all the silly Wiem cross breeding lies. People will believe anything to confirm their wrong opinions.
Just my Opinion…Those of you who think your version of what a purebred lab is must be better than all others makes me very sad for you. Do you think your dogs are better because of their colour. I read above where someone noted that as people genes are passed on that don’t show for several years. Why is so hard to believe that Silvers, Charcoals or Champagnes are any different. I have red hair but my mom had brown and my dad was blonde. The last redhead in my family was 4 generations back. Does that make me less human because i carry the MC1R gene? If you want to say they shouldn’t be registered then have proof. I truly don’t believe you have the right to judge these dogs and call them mutts and make up fictional problems. I am sure you wouldn’t be to happy if we judged your dog. My point being you have zero and i mean zero proof that silvers are not “pure bred” so until you have 100% proof stop spreading non truths. I have read above people claiming the DNA tests are not accurate and if this is true how do you know you have a purebred? Just because someone wrote it on paper and said so? I have a Silver Lab Pure Bred and he was never promoted as anything but a silver lab by his breeder. So stop claiming that breeders are just out for the money. Heaven forbid someone just love these animals so much that they want to share them with the world. A lot of you are very quick to judge people and dogs and that is plain sad!
Very informative! Small correction though; there are “silver”chocolates, they have an almost sandy/silver halo over their fur. Not literally, but that’s how it looks. A softer brown with a sheen on top. My actual silver is a diluted black. His genetics are complex as he is the pup of a dilute black(charcoal or silver) sire and a solid chocolate bitch. They BOTH carried the “d” gene and as such: he is a double recessive, second generation paternally. There are no Weimy genes there. His mother is akc registered and his paternal grandfather was a show winner. Honestly though, I wouldn’t care if he went bald. He is, hands down, the sweetest, most affectionate and caring dog I have ever met. His name is Sterling; and he’s the best.
If a yellow lab is breed with a silver lab, what color puppies would they have?
Thanks,
Melissa
We just had to put our SILVER lab down 28 Dec 2020 due to cancer at 9 years old. She was a pure bred lab thru and thru. We raised her from 7 weeks old and could not ask for a better member of the family. Everybody that saw her said she was pure lab and not Weimaraner. We didn’t give damn what these supposedly “professional” dog breeders said. We were able to trace her lineage 3 generations – her parents, her parents parents and finally her great grandparents. All them were chocolate. It’s high time for the “professional” dog breeders to start accepting them. As for the price of Silver being higher than then other labs, that’s something the “breeder business” has to sort out. We got our silver for the same price as the other labs.
“The UK kennel club formalized the breed in 1903 and the American Kennel club in 1917.
Prior to this, no breeders ever recorded a silver or gray Labrador found within their litters, even though they were happy to record many other ‘off color’ dogs that didn’t adhere to the standard.
And yet 4 decades later in the 1950s, all of a sudden, silver Labradors were being advertised for sale in gun dog magazine.”
You might have thought when you wrote your article, which is generally a good article, that the above information was accurate. It was not. It has been repeated so many times on the internet that some people assume it must be true.
Are you, the author, aware of the historical documentation of the existence of silver or grey Labrador Retrievers from long before the 1950s? More and more of it gets unearthed as more and more historical documents get digitized. There is already now a perfect pairing of contemporary DNA analysis indicating silver labs are purebred dogs with recessive genes that can (and, before chocolates found favor, were very likely to) stay mostly hidden for numerous generations, with historical records of numerous dilute-carrying breeds being used in development of the Labrador Retriever breed and subsequent occasional documents mentioning silver labs from long before DNA was even discovered.
It will doubtless take years before the hard-headed anti-silvers folks acknowledge what the rest of us can already see clearly.
We have 2 AKC silver labs. Their pedigrees show they come from pure labs, and we had them DNA tested, and both are 100% pure Labrador. (Not 99.9%, a full 100%.) The recessive dilute gene has always been there, and I even saw a copy of a newspaper clip from the UK from the early 1900s talking about a pair of labs that produced silver pups. The weim+lab theory is only that: a theory, especially since the prevalence of DNA testing and our understanding of recessive genes are proving the weim myth to be false.
We now have 3 Silver Labs. We got the Mom, Maddie, from a reputable Silver (and other colors) breeder in Central California. She is more of the taupe color. That is until you take her out into the sun, and there is no denying it is a Silver, or Pewter color through and through. We have bread Maddie twice, once at almost 2 years, and again here recently at 4 years. This will be her last littler! Why? Because her first litter had 12 babies, all silvers, and the second had 13 all a very light silver!!! Caring for 12 or 13 puppies until we find their forever home is an incredible 24/7 (honestly) task. And, it is just my husband an myself. However, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Both times we obtained the sires from outside our semi local gene pool, as well as physically out of the area. Checking and double checking their DNA for as far bac as was available.
The opposition, in my humble opinion, comes from a snobbish and uneducated (in DNA protocols) AKC Labrador clubs and associations. If they could understand the DNA facts, which determines breed, there is zero evidence they come from a Weimaraner somewhere in the past. And, originally here in the U.S. it was only the Black color that AKC recognized. And, eventually the Yellow and Chocolate colors followed. I would hope that AKC uses their position in the Dog Breed world and their power, to allow the Silver (not chocolate) notation in their database. You can take one look at two perfect specimens of a Weimaraner and a lab of any color, but especially a Silver, and see without a doubt that are in fact two distinctly different dogs.
But, really, who cares. We all want our pets to be unique and loving and quirky as they can be. We will love them regardless of what some bureaucratic organization says. They will come around, they will have to, with the numbers rising so dramatically of the Silver Labradors!!
Our silver lab is a pure pleasure to own. My son wanted a gold lab, the breeder said he only had 1 silver left. Glad we picked up this jewel of a dog. He has helped us get through this horrible last 2 years.
We currently have an 11 year female silver lab. This is the 4th labrador I’ve had.
The mood, temperament, intelligence are same as the labs. The personality is the goofiest of the four.
Her physical proportions and shapes all look lab to me. The eyes are bright yellow, darker areas of skin are purple and underside is pink.
She’s had hip displasia and arthritis since at least age one when I had her rear hips x-rayed. We treat this with supplements and carprofen and love. We also have to get her a montly CADI injection to prevent extremely itchy skin and recurring staph skin infections.
I have sisters, one black, one silver from the parents. Other than color, they are identical in size, shape height, ear length, and she has a thick fluffy “rudder” tail just like my black. My silver doesn’t look anything like a Weimaraner. Those that say the silvers they’ve seen look like Weimer’s to them may not have seen a pure silver. My silvers color has brown undertones and she certainly looks like a diluted chocolate. As for my black, she is the fourth black I have owned. My family has also had yellow and chocolates. My black puppy was more expensive than my silver by twice as much. I have both if them registered, my silver as a chocolate.
A breed standard is defined by genetics, characteristics and traits. The Labrador Retriever, like other breeds, has these standards within the breed to protect the purebred reproduceable traits and genetics over generations. Mostly, genetics are carefully protected to keep out recessive problems or health problems within the breed, like joint issues, eye disorders, coat conditions, temperament, etc.. Good breeders often will do genetic testing and heath testing to faithfully attempt to remove these issues and to improve their breeding lines. All of this is within the breed standard.
So, what happens when someone decides they want something different than the standard? What if they don’t want the usual, but instead want the unusual? Whether it is driven by money or the need for having something no one else has, who knows? I think that causes someone to look for ways to alter the plan. This inherently leads to problems.
There are millions of wonderful dogs in shelters who will love you, cuddle with you, hunt with you, and be your beloved friend. That doesn’t make them a Labrador. You can have a dog that looks like a Labrador. That doesn’t make them a Labrador. Dogs are not a style element like a shirt, handbag or scarf. I think it’s unwise to change a breed simply to fit a human interest in a new color. I hope the silver Lab is not an experiment in human desires for something rare.
The bottom line is the breed standard colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. I suggest that the very top breeders give their opinions on why those three colors are the best for the breed. I would like to know for certain if Weimaraners and/or Chesapeake Bays entered the bloodlines by people wanting a new color. Just my humble opinion, but I think this is what happened. Unless someone else has better info than I do, it is my understanding that there were no records of silver coats even before AKC registered the breed. This is a relatively new occurrence dating back to a particular breeder. If another breed with a dilute gene entered the breeding pool, why would anyone want to promote this? Why would we ever want to bring in a Weimaraner trait that clearly is different from a Labrador? Because gray is cool? I also want to know if the recessive dilute gene carries other problems besides hair loss. Most recessive genes have multiple genetic abnormalities. Genetic testing can easily identify the dilute genes so breeders can easily remove those dogs from their breeding stock. So, why are certain breeders choosing to breed for colors and traits not in the standard? Why are they choosing recessive traits? I don’t have the answer. You can decide.
The final result of whether silver Labs will become a recognized color in the breed standard may or may not be dictated by what is best for the breed. I hope the coat color and genetics are thoroughly researched to determine what effect this will have. I can only hope the breed I love is not changed for the worse, when it already suffers from irresponsible breeders. It may eventually be driven by money and interest in something rare rather than what is best for the breed. This is unfortunate. If there was a silver Lab on every street would people still seek to own one?