In addition to the well-known black, fawn and chocolate colors of the Labrador Retriever, there is another color - silver.
Gray Labradors, despite the difference in color, have the same body structure and character as their counterparts.
They get along well with children and other pets.
They perfectly understand the mood of their owners.
Origin story
In the middle of the last century, a reputable hunting magazine published an advertising article for the Kelloggs kennel about breeding “a rare litter of gray Labradors”.
Thus, the world first learned about the existence of this type of Labrador.
By the end of the last century, the Kulo kennel decided to experiment with gray color again, however, in Europe, the silver color of Labradors was never recognized as a breed, unlike the USA, where gray Labradors are in demand and are popular to this day.
Marriage or breed?
There are three color types of the Labrador Retriever breed.:
- carbonic;
- champagne;
- silver.
For a long time these colors were not recognized as existing in the dog breed..
By crossing the breed with other representatives of retrievers, breeders were able to obtain other colors, in addition to the previously popular jet black.
However, many of them were perceived by other breeders as a defect in the breed, so fawn and chocolate colors were recognized only in the first half of the 20th century.
The silver color of the coat is due to the presence of a recessive gene that carries the characteristics of another Labrador color - chocolate..
In order to get puppies with a gray color, breeders crossed chocolate-colored Labradors with two recessive genes, as well as a gene responsible for dissolving the color.
Some sources claim that silver Labradors are born as a result of a gene mutation that arose due to the appearance of the color dissolution gene, which usually does not make itself felt.
Silver Labradors are very rare, since these dogs were bred through long labors of breeders around the world and breeders. That is why this color is considered more of a defect than a breed.
Expert opinion
Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich
Expert dog handler.
The most suitable color for registration of purebred Labrador dogs is charcoal black, but silver color is not a breed color. Therefore, the gray Labrador is not a purebred representative of its species. However, the character of this animal and its attitude towards its owner are no different from other representatives of the breed.
Black color
Black Labrador, which fully complies with the standard, is characterized by a completely resin color. The limit of the acceptable norm is considered to be a barely noticeable whitish spot in the chest area of the animal. The nose of a purebred black Labrador is charcoal in color and lacks pigmentation. However, during the lack of sunlight that characterizes winter and autumn, the nose of a black Labrador may lighten to a pinkish tint. The pigmentation around the eyelids and lips is also pure black. The eyes of a black Labrador have a rich brown, less often a hazel tint.
Disqualifying faults for black Labradors include:
- motley spots of white, red and brown;
- nasal pigmentation.
Character traits
Silver Labradors are distinguished by their incredible and often inexplicable ability to predict.
They have amazing intuition and insight, are very attentive and easy to train.
Labradors are not only distinguished by their aesthetic appearance - nature has endowed them with a wonderful character and non-conflict disposition, in addition, they get along well with children, swim with pleasure and love to play in the fresh air.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros:
- lack of aggression - with proper upbringing, such a Labrador will make a loyal friend for the whole family;
- is easy to train - the Labrador does not have to be taught new commands for a long time, he grasps everything literally on the fly;
- they will come to the aid of a drowning person - Labradors swim very well and have a phenomenal sense of danger;
- kind and loyal - Labradors are distinguished by their good behavior and good-natured character, you can easily introduce children to this breed and not be afraid of aggression on their part;
- an excellent assistant for a hunter - the Labrador is considered an excellent gun dog and is indispensable in hunting birds that like to hide in hard-to-reach places;
- in the city and in nature - the Labrador is quite comfortable to keep both in urban conditions and outside of a large metropolis; it has short hair, which practically does not cause any inconvenience during the molting period, and the Labrador gets along well with other pets.
Minuses:
- a dog of this breed will not be an alternative to a lap dog that will only sleep and eat, since Labradors are the type of dog that cannot imagine their life without active pastime and outdoor games;
- this is not a guard dog - of course, a Labrador will always be able to protect and intercede, however, if the primary task for the owners is to protect the house and property, it is better to get a shepherd dog or an Alabai, but not a Labrador;
- without training - if the future owner does not intend to bother training his pet, this can later lead to problems with the dog’s character and cause a lot of inconvenience, both to the careless owner himself and to the people around him.
Training
Labradors do not refuse outdoor games at any age. Cheerfulness, activity, a stable nervous system and a lively mind make the process of training a pet an exciting and creative activity. Perseverance, patience, creativity, and encouragement—both verbal and in the form of treats—will help in the process.
You should not let your Labrador get bored. Long, monotonous activities are not for them. The dog loses interest in activities.
Early socialization will help establish norms of behavior in different places and situations and prevent stressful situations for the dog.
If the owner does not have practical experience in raising and training large dogs, it is worth contacting a dog trainer or undergoing training in advance.
Dimensions, weight and other distinctive features
Weight and height of Labradors depending on age :
| Options | Data |
| Weight, kg) | 30-40 |
| Height at withers (cm) | 54-60 |
| Chest (cm) | 70-86 |
| Wool | Thick and smooth, the pile is short and straight. |
| Scull | Large and clearly defined, with a clear transition from the forehead to the muzzle, which, in turn, is quite massive. |
| Breast | Wide and deep through the ribs, short loin, strong and wide croup. |
| Tail | Thick at the base, tapering evenly towards the end. Medium length, covered with short thick hair, which gives it a rounded shape. According to the breed, it should not bend too much behind the back. |
| Paws | Round, compactly folded. |
Life expectancy and what diseases are they susceptible to?
With proper care and attention, a Labrador can live for around 10 years. The upper threshold is usually considered to be 13-14 years of age.
From a very early age, it is necessary to monitor the health of your Labrador and try to avoid diseases typical for this breed:
- Parainfluenza infection - this disease affects the respiratory system of the dog, affecting it.
- Rabies - no dog is immune from this disease, so it is necessary to vaccinate your pet according to the vaccination schedule.
- Canine hepatitis is a disease that develops rapidly and is fatal. If a dog has been drowsy for a long time, has lost its appetite, and its body temperature remains high, it is necessary to urgently show it to a veterinarian to rule out this life-threatening disease for the pet.
- Leptospirosis is a disease that affects the kidneys and can be contracted from other dogs. Symptoms of the disease are most often the following: the dog’s jaw, tongue and teeth are colored yellowish, the animal is weakened and inactive. Pet vaccination is required.
- Distemper is diagnosed by loss of appetite, persistent fever and increased body temperature, as well as watery discharge from the eyes and nose. It is important to notice these symptoms as early as possible in order to begin treatment on time and prevent the development of complications that can affect the dog’s respiratory system, intestinal function and other vital organs.
Chocolate Labrador
There are fewer of these dogs, so a small purebred chocolate-colored puppy will cost much more. There are several acceptable shades for chocolate Labradors:
- light chocolate;
- hepatic;
- bitter chocolate.
Related article: What is tasty and healthy to feed your Labrador at home?
The coat must be a single color and the standard excludes the presence of any spots or even hairs of a different color (although a light patch on the chest is still allowed). Therefore, be very careful when choosing a chocolate-colored dog - there are many unscrupulous breeders, and they may well profit from your ignorance. The dog's eyes should be brown, although it is acceptable if there is a yellowish tint.
We recommend this article:
Weight of a puppy and an adult Labrador by month
Basic rules of care
Labradors are prone to obesity and, if not fed , can become overweight . It is necessary to choose good nutrition and create the right diet in order to avoid problems with obesity in the future.
IMPORTANT!
Due to its thick coat, it is enough to brush a Labrador a couple of times a week, since the hair of these dogs has waterproof properties.
Labradors languish without active time and games, so it is very important to walk your pet daily, combining a walk with various active types of games - Frisbee, running, swimming and others.
Labrador puppies need to be played and exercised for a long time; they cannot stand loneliness and boredom, they can become sad and even get sick due to nervousness.
Feeding a Labrador must include all the necessary elements for the normal development of the animal.:
- meat (lean beef or raw lamb, previously kept in the freezer for about a day and scalded with boiling water);
- offal (kidneys, liver can be given to puppies from 6 months only after heat treatment);
- dairy products (kefir and cottage cheese);
- eggs (in combination with other products, no more than one egg per week);
- cereals (buckwheat, rice, millet in combination with vegetables).
It is forbidden to give Labradors pork, milk, bones, semolina, corn porridge in any form, barley, potatoes, beans and any types of sweets..
Don't forget about the temperature - you shouldn't give your dog food that is too cold or too hot.
How to choose?
Of course, when wanting to purchase a purebred Labrador, it is better for future owners to contact a serious nursery with an unblemished reputation, where buyers will be provided with detailed information about both the baby’s parents and his other family connections.
NOTE!
When choosing a puppy, you should pay attention to the behavior of its mother: if she behaves aggressively or hides cowardly with her tail between her legs, then you must boldly refuse such a litter.
You should ask the breeder questions about the age of the bitch and the number of pregnancies, since the dog produces excellent offspring from 18 months to 8 years inclusive, but no more than six litters during this entire period.
This is necessary to know, since an animal that produces offspring every six months is unlikely to have time to recover after the next birth, which leads to defective development of the fetus and the birth of defective puppies.
When they reach one and a half months, all purebred Labradors receive a brand, which is mandatory included in the documents for the dog, and later in its pedigree.
Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a puppy exactly after reaching the age of 45 days from birth..
The silver Labrador is incredibly smart and incredibly active, and has a cheerful disposition and wonderful character.
There is not a single case in the world of a Labrador attacking a person, since this breed is more attached to humans than others and is capable of sincere and faithful friendship.
Labrador is an ideal dog for a couple with small children, and by taking a Labrador puppy into their home, future owners will be able to raise a best friend for the whole family without any extra effort.
Breeding
In order to select the right pair for mating, you should be guided by the following principles.
Both animals must match each other in return category. The male and female must have a similar exterior. Both dogs must be healthy - their physical and mental condition should not raise the slightest doubt. The physical form of the producers must be satisfactory
Overweight or, conversely, underweight is not allowed. When choosing the optimal pair, you should determine in advance all the advantages and disadvantages of each animal. The pedigree of the pets must be compatible. It is very important that the animals have similar weight and body mass parameters. Too much difference in these parameters of both parents often causes dysplasia in the offspring.
Typically, Labrador females experience their first heat at about a year old, but at this age it is not recommended to let them become pregnant, since pregnancy and childbirth will only exhaust the dog and harm its health, and the offspring will be weak and sick. It is optimal to plan mating for the third heat, which occurs at approximately 1.5 years.
Prices for Labradors are quite high - even the cheapest options cost no less than 15 thousand rubles. However, such pets do not have a veterinary passport or pedigree, so there is a high risk that the animal is in poor health.
A dog with all the necessary papers, but some defective traits, can become a wonderful pet, but it will not be able to participate in exhibitions and competitions, and it is unlikely to be used as breeding material. The cost of such dogs is approximately 25-35 thousand rubles.
Show-class dogs, whose parents are recognized champions and meet all official breed standards, will cost owners 40-60 thousand. In this case, your dog will not only be an active participant in exhibitions and competitions, but can also be used for breeding.
