Labrador DNA
Many genes determine coat color in animals, but labradors have three primary genes that determine black, brown or yellow coats. The addition of a few more genes adds the variety of shades seen, including whites, silvers, tans and reds. If you would like to learn about those genes, there is a chart below. If you are interested in the color options seen in labradors or if you have a question about lab genetics, send us a message at the bottom of the page.
The "B" Gene
Black/Brown
The “B” gene produces a pigment called Eumelanin, which produces black or brown coat color, in labradors. There are two version of the B Gene; a dominant black, B and a recessive brown, b. When a dog has a least one dominant version (BB or Bb) of the gene, its coat color will be black. When there are two recessive versions (bb), the coat color will be brown, also referred to as liver or chocolate. To learn more visit this site on Animal Genetics.
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The "E" Gene
Yellow
The “E” gene comes in two versions; the dominant E and the recessive e. A dog with one or two of the dominant forms (EE or Ee) will show the black or brown pigment color from the B Gene. If a dog has two recessive forms (ee) it will produce a pigment called phaoemelanin which hides the black and brown coat color and instead expresses a yellow color. "Yellow" actually ranges from a polar white to a fox red. To learn more visit this site on Animal Genetics.
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The "D" Gene
Silver
The “D” gene produces the pigment melanophilin, which reacts with the pigments producing primary coat color in labrador's B and E genes. This reaction lightens the primary color of black to dark gray called "charcoal", brown to taupe called "silver" and yellow to "champagne". The gene comes in a dominant (D) and recessive (d) form but dogs must have two recessive versions (dd) of the gene to make the pigment. These dogs are often referred to as "silver"no matter their actual color. To learn more visit thiis site for Animal Genetics.
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Intensity Genes
White/Red
This is where shades of yellow from white to red get complicated. There are several gene locations (K, A, C and I loci) working together to stop production of pheomelanin or make more of it. Depending on the combination of pigments produced your furry friend can be any shade from polar white to fox red. These genes affect the entire coat, however, the pigmentation of the nose, lips, eyes and skin are still controlled by the B and D genes.
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Black Lab
A black lab is the "original lab" color from Newfoundland. They have at least one dominant gene for coat color on each of the B, E and D Genes. Your dog can be BB or Bb, EE or Ee and DD or Dd if it is Black.
Chocolate Lab
A chocolate lab is the rarest coat color in natural breedings of labradors. They have two recessive B Genes, and at least one dominant E Gene and D Gene.Your dog must be bb if it is Chocolate but can be EE or Ee and DD or Dd.
Yellow Labs
A yellow lab has the widest range of coat color from white to dark amber but all are classified as "Yellow". They have two recessive alleles for the E gene and at least 1 dominant of the D Gene, but can have any combination of B Genes. Your yellow can be BB, Bb or bb, must be ee and can be DD or Dd.
Yellow "Fox Red" Lab
These yellow labs have 2 recessive alleles on the E Gene but also have increased pigmentation by their Intensity Genes producing a beautiful dark amber/cinnamon/ginger or "Fox Red" Color. The genetics of this dog can be BB, Bb or bb, must be ee and can be DD or Dd.
Yellow "Polar White" Lab
These yellow labs have 2 recessive alleles on the E Gene but have little to no pigmentation from the Intensity Genes, producing a stunning creamy white color. The genetics of this dog can be BB, Bb or bb, must be ee and can be DD or Dd.
Charcoal Lab
Black "Charcoal" Lab
A "Charcoal" lab is a Black Lab that produces a dilution pigment to lighten the black color to dark gray. The genetics of this dog can be BB or Bb, EE or Ee but will have two recessive D Genes or dd. Due to the dilution gene all pigmentation will appear lighter, including the eyes, paw pads and nose.
Silver Lab
Chocolate "Silver" Lab
A "Silver" lab is a Chocolate Lab that produces the dilution pigment and softens the brown coat color. While this lab is called "silver" it actually has a taupe or brownish-gray appearance. The genetics of this dog can be bb, EE or Ee but will have two recessive D Genes or dd. Due to the dilution gene all pigmentation will appear lighter, including the eyes, paw pads and nose.
Champagne Labs
Yellow "Champagne" Lab
A "Champagne" lab is a Yellow Lab that ranges in color depending on how much pigment is being produced by the Intensity Genes. The genetics of this dog, no matter its intensity of color is BB, Bb or bb, ee and dd only. Due to the two recessive D Genes, all pigmentation will appear lighter, including the eyes, nose and paw pads. It's difficult to tell some champagnes without genetic testing due to the range of intensity of color in yellow labs.
Red Fox Lab
Yellow "Dudley" Lab
A "Dudley" Lab is any version of a yellow lab (ranging from white to red in color, including champagnes) with "pink" eye rims, nose, and paw pads. This is a lack of pigmentation in their genes so does not include brown noses or a nose that changes color due to age or temperature. These pups are rare and need special attention when exposed to UV rays so they don't sunburn.