Yes, it is true. There is a controversy over the fancy dilute coloured Labrador Retrievers.
We at Starstuck Labradors would like to dedicate this page to explaining our stance on the debate as to whether or not these dogs are true purebred Labs, or if a milkman of a certain silver canine family came to visit … So here is our take.
Feel free to read from other websites that would have you believe the silver labrador is part Weimaraner. After doing your research, come visit us, and tell us if any of our dilute or dilute factored dogs look anything like Weimaraners.
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Some breeders take issue with dilute coloured labs (silver, charcoal, and champagne). They claim that the dilute gene that produces these colours is not native to the labrador retriever, and thus the Labradors possessing this gene are not purebred, and should not exist.
Our own research has brought us to understand that, genetically speaking, fancy colours such as silver, charcoal, and champagne are respectively chocolate, black, and yellow coat colours. These fancy colours simply have two copies of what is called the dilute gene. This is termed homozygous, and their genetic profile in this regard is "dd." However, due to pressure place on the registries by the breed clubs, they are registered in accordance with their base coat colours.
In breeds such as the Weimeraner, Munsterlanders, Newfoundlands, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Labrador Retrievers and Great Danes, the locus (location) of the gene responsible for the dilution of coat colours has been found, and its presence can be tested for. We have used the services of HealthGene, an Ontario based company, to test our own Labs for this genetic trait when needed. This page from HealthGene’s website displays a comprehensive chart of the possible genotypes found in Labrador Retrievers, and the phenotypes (what you see) that coincide with each one.
- http://healthgene.com/canine/colortest.asp?breedid=35
The dilution gene itself has been the focus of scientific review in other breeds as well.
- http://homepage.usask.ca/~schmutz/dilutions.html
Interestingly enough, we are often asked for bigger and heavier pups, relative to the averaged sized Lab. Some people prefer Labs in the 80-100 lbs range, which we do have. However, this larger Lab differs substantially from the breed standard, which allows the Labrador to be between 55-75lbs, inclusive of both male and female body weights. Many breeders who oppose fancy coloured labs, still breed oversized Labs. These giant labs do not come under scrutiny, even though they are up to 50% larger than the breed standard’s highest weight. Is there so much that sets apart a ‘tint’ of colour, from a ‘sizeable’ difference? We personally like both, and we do not discriminate or show favour over our pooches - we love them all.
- http://www.ckc.ca/en/Default.aspx?tabid=99&BreedCode=RTL
We should also keep in mind the history of our beloved friends. The Labrador was created long ago through both indiscriminate and purposeful breedings of all different types of dogs. The dilute gene is present in many breeds, and even one dog carrying it in the earliest days of the Labrador would have spread the dilute gene throughout the breed. That dilute labradors seem "new" is simply because of the age old practice of show breeders culling their non-standard labradors. In other words, they tried to breed the gene out. They do the same thing with yellow labradors without black pigment. They call them "Dudleys," and don't permit them to compete in shows any moreso than they allow silvers. Why? I don't know...ask them!
The registered Labrador breed has been recognized by the CKC for just over a century now. Originally in Canada, in the early 1900s, the only colour of Labrador accepted by the breed standard was black. Thirty-one years following the first Canadian registered Lab, a yellow female was finally accepted as pure bred, and only sixty-some years ago, a chocolate male Lab was permitted to be registered. Interestingly, the popularity of these different colours came long after their acceptance. With the dilute labradors, the public's massive interest fuels their acceptance.
“The breed established itself in Western Canada. The first Labrador Retriever to be CKC registered was a black bitch, ‘Berry’, imported from the US by E.D. Adams of Calgary and bred by Austin Neame of California. Her parentage is marked unknown, date of birth would have been most likely 1900, and she was granted her registration on the basis of her show wins. In 1906 the CKC allowed for the exibition of the Labrador Retriever as a separate breed from the general “English Retriever” entry and in 1908, there is documentation showing the registration of Labrador Retrievers separate from the rest of the retrievers. 1931 saw the first yellow, an English import, Mormond Trix(bitch) registered with the CKC, and in 1945 ‘Brown Bomber of Avandale’(male) became the first registered chocolate and was Canadian bred.”
(Found at) - http://www.labradorretrieverclub.ca/Welcome.html
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So, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet."
We would agree with Shakespeare, and we will continue breeding for the love of labs, and not to perpetuate conflict. The day may come when fox red, white, silver, charcoal, and champagne colour dogs will be registered as their respective colours. Too many breeders and owners simply delight in these newer colours, and increased interest and enjoyment can only be good for the breed as a whole.
In the meantime, we are happy that our fancy colours are proven quality, registered purebred labs. We are content to focus our breeding program on developing the personality, trainability, and overall healthy build of our lovely pooches. And for those pet owners and Labrador lovers who know that the heart is beneath his coat, we invite you to come and meet our lab-children, and decide for yourselves if books should be overlooked due to their covers (especially such unique and beautiful ones)!
Please feel free to do your own research, and discover things for yourself. When you are ready, please contact us with questions you may have regarding your new pet's colour and registration. We are very proud of our whole canine family, regardless of their colour! We invite you to come and meet some of our black, chocolate, yellow, red, white, silver, charcoal, and champagne pooches, and see for yourself why we love them all so much!
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