I'm really curious to hear what color your Labs are, if you are happy to share? (I've allowed multi-select for those of us with more than one Labrador Retriever in the family!) I feel like I rarely see black Labs in the UK anymore (which biologically is surprising given it's a dominant gene!). I also used to see a lot of chocolate Labs, but now I would say at a very rough and unscientific guess that most of the working variety I meet are yellow or the darker fox red shade. Fascinated to see how our Labs break down as a forum, and if you are happy to share vaguely where you are in the world as well that'd be awesome
I’m in North East Hants whilst the fox reds have increased greatly in numbers since we got Toby seven years ago there are still plenty of black labs around. I would say they are beginning to be outnumbered by yellows.I read somewhere that the darker yellows were popular in the 50’s-60’s especially as working dogs then black took over. Supply and demand I guess. Very few chocolate.
I don’t know when the name Fox red came in but it is a shade of yellow. Yellow labs range from almost white to the darkest gingery reddy brown colour.
It would be interesting to know when the term 'fox red' first started being used! Pippa's article on Fox Red Labs looks at the coat color genetics and how the different shades of yellow have changed in popularity over time, but doesn't mention when we started saying 'fox red'. A research project for the future perhaps!
8 currently. They are working dogs (but pets and sofa snugglers first!). Life is mayhem and rather muddy, but we're happy
Black is definitely the main colour in North Yorkshire. Many of them working. I live on a Moor top and often see them enjoying their job.
Given your words, taking it a bit further, I was told when we got our bundle of fun, he was 'down the gun dog line, rather than the show dog line'. Indicating he will have a thinner head and a more sleek build. So how have all these divisions started to come about? I'm not being critical, just promoting conversation. Is it that owners are wanting others to think they have something that is different to the rest or breeders are seeking a premium for something special? Whatever, our dog is brilliant and every dog is special, irrespective of how it may be described.
