I am on my third English lab, first one was black, second one was chocolate, and my new puppy is black, or sort of. In the sunlight, he has obvious brown highlights, mostly on his head. Genetically, how is this possible? His Dad is black and mom is brown. Overall, I’d say he has 15% brown and 85% black. I have gotten all of my labs through a very reputable breeder. I’m going to ask the breeder as well, but I was wondering if any of you have any information on how a black lab cannot have a black solid coat.
Hi Larry, welcome to the forum There are all sorts of odd recessive genes lurking in the Labrador gene pool, many of which were contributed by founding dogs before the studbook was closed. For example, some Gordon Setters were used to establish the Labrador breed at the outset, and Labs with tan points still pop up now and then today! However, it might not be genetic. Black coats and brown coats are caused by the same pigment, eumelanin, in different concentrations. And a bit of variation in hue is quite normal. Some black Lab owners also report their Lab's coats getting a little sun bleached in summer, or fading to brown right before a big moult!
He sounds gorgeous! The Lab breed standard is so narrow and unequivocal about what counts as a desirable color, that unfortunately I think a lot of puppies used to be culled at birth if they had unusual markings, because it was assumed no one would want them, or that their existence compromised the overall calibre of the breed. I think people these days are far more inclined to celebrate unusual markings and 'mismarks'. And I personally love hearing about different examples! After all, it's what's inside that counts
My black lab also has brown highlights on her head when the sun hits just right. Her mom was a chocolate lab so I just assume that was where it came from.
