Labrador Breeder MN, Lab Puppies MN, Lab Puppies for Sale MN, Lab Breeder MN
Chocolate & Silver
Black & Charcoal
Yellow & Champagne
What is a Dilute Lab?
Silver, Charcoal & Champagne are the dilute versions of Chocolate, Black and Yellow.
The gene that causes dilute dogs (aka Silver, Charcoal or Champagne) is often known as the “D” gene. All Labradors have a “D” Locus. A
black, yellow, or chocolate Labrador will either be “DD” or Dd.” The little “d” indicates dilute, so a Dd dog carries one copy of the dilute
gene, and one copy of the standard gene. This Dd dog has the potential to produce both standard colored and dilute colored labs
depending on what dog it is paired with. A silver, charcoal or champagne lab will always be dd, and when bred to a DD dog, will only
produce standard colored dogs, but those dogs will carry dilute (Dd).
White & Fox Red Labradors
Contrary to what you may have heard, a white Lab is not necessarily dilute (although it can be). Yellow varies on a spectrum from nearly
white to dark fox red. Just as a yellow, black or chocolate Lab can be dilute, so can a white or fox red, but white and yellow shades can be
particularly difficult to tell whether they are dilute or not, so for many, a genetic test would be required to know. Each of the below
standard colors can also be dilute.
Dilute Lab Controversy
There is a fair amount of controversy in the Labrador world about dilute labs. The primary reason for this is because the first dilute
lab recorded about 40+ years ago was produced after the stud books had closed. Some people believe another breed (perhaps the
weimaraner) was somehow involved in making the dilute lab. The truth is, we have no way of knowing if that’s true. We can’t go
back and DNA test the first dilute labs, and any dog with only Labs in it for the last 5+ generations will likely DNA test as a purebred
Labrador. Another interesting fact is that there are tons of breeds we know today that carry the dilute gene! This includes a few
breeds that were supposedly used in the making of the Labradors we know today. It is also possible that the gene mutated allowing
dilution in Labradors to be possible.
The truth is, no one truly knows if the first dilute labs were purebred Labradors, and actually purebred Labradors themselves were
once a mixed breed during breed development about 100 years ago (a young breed by comparision to most), but today, dilute Labs
act, look and DNA test like purebred Labradors. Is a dilute Lab a purebred Labrador? By DNA standards, they sure are. By breed
standard, they are a mismark/unrecognized color. By opinion, you’ll have to decide. Having both standard color and dilute Labs
from both hunting and show lines I can tell you, dilute Labs sure do behave just like any standard Lab I know. They make great
hunters and excellent family pets just like any Labrador should.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) registers dilute labs as their base coat color (black, chocolate & yellow). The original dilute labs
recorded were accepted by AKC as purebred Labradors and are pedigreed as Labradors.