All About Labs
Body Style
There are two body styles when it comes to Labradors. Both are very different and both have different uses and temperaments. And can be mixed when bred.
English
The English body style are Labrador Retrievers used for show/conformation rings. English bodied Labradors often are a stockier dog, with heavier bones and with shorter legs. Their coat is denser and their head is usually described as square or blocky. They usually have a calmer temperament.
American
The American body style are Labrador Retrievers who are used for working dogs and/or used field trial and hunt test. American bodied Labradors are lighter in bone structure and have longer legs. Their coat is less dense than an English bodied Labrador and their head is narrower and have more length in their muzzle. They are generally higher energy dogs.
Colors of Labrador Retrievers
Labrador Retrievers come in 3 main color groups that are recognized by AKC.
Black
What is a black Labrador Retriever.. Black is the basic coat color of the 3 and is also known as the original color as well. Black Labrador Retrievers are solid black, but a small white mark on the chest is allowed by AKC in the breed standard. It is also common that small amounts of white hair can be found in between the toes and footpads in some of the black Labradors. `
Yellow
Yellow Labrador Retrievers can ranges from white/ivory to fox red. Some yellows have a small white mark on their chest. They should have black pigment on the nose, lips, and rim on the eyes. Newborn yellows do not have the black pigment at first but should have it by the time they are 2 weeks old. If no black pigment comes in by 2 weeks on age then they will never have it and will be known as a Dudley. Mature yellow Labrador's nose will sometimes turn brown or pink in the winter, but the black color will return in warmer weather.
Chocolate
Chocolates can range from light to very dark. They also can have a small white mark on their chest like the other two colors. The eyes on chocolate Labradors can range from yellow to brown. The pigment of chocolate can range from dark brown to a light pink as well. The sun bleaches chocolates out very easily, but using mink-oil and keeping them out of direct sunlight will help with this.
Important Genetic testing for Labrador Retrievers
There are 3 very important genetic tests that can be done of Labrador Retrievers. Although they are not mandatory they are highly recommended.
EIC
Exercise intolerance and collapse is an inherited disease that is common in Labrador Retrievers, and is also found in some other breeds. Dogs that are affected by EIC typically become week after about 5 to 20 minutes of high intensity excise(such as field trials, hunt tests, upland bird hunting, and/or playing fetch). They first become week in the hind legs and then collapse. There is a genetic test to tell whether or not a dog is clear of this gene or if they are a carrier for it. Not all carriers are affected by this disease.
Link to the EIC site here
Link to the EIC site here
CNM
Centronuclear Myopathy is being seen in more and more in Labrador Retrievers. It is especially seen in the field bred Labrador Retrievers. CNM is an inherited health condition that weakens the muscles, and makes it difficult for the dog to walk. This begins when they are puppies and climaxes at about one year old. There is a genetic test to tell whether or not a dog is clear of this gene or if they are a carrier for it.
Link to the CNM site here
Link to the CNM site here
PRA
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) refers to retinal diseases that cause blindness. There are some that have blindness by abnormal development of the retina, and they call it dysplasia. The other is a slowly progressive degeneration or death of the retinal tissue and this called degeneration. This is detected by having a dogs eyes checked by an ACVO (American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists) or by a genetic test.
Link to the CERF site here
Link to the CERF site here
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