Chocolate Lab Facts
by Anna Hart
Filed under Featured Content, Labrador Information
Labrador Retrievers are very popular in both Great Britain and the U.S. They are, in fact, the most popular registered breed in both countries. Of the three colors, black, chocolate, and yellow, black may be the most numerous. Chocolate Labs, however, are gaining in popularity, and an increasing number of people seek information about them.
Chocolate Lab Coloring
Chocolate Lab facts often begin with attention to the color. The Labrador Retriever Club and AKC standards for chocolate Lab coloring requires that the dog be chocolate colored from head to tail. It may be medium or dark chocolate, but without white. A small white spot on the chest is permissible, but not desirable. There should be no striping or flecks of coloring. Chocolate Labs have brown eye rims, and brown or hazel eyes.
If you breed two chocolate Labs, you may or may not get chocolate puppies. The chocolate gene is recessive, and only two combinations of genes in the parents will produce chocolate puppies. Chocolate Lab puppies may be born from black Labs or yellow Labs who carry the genes.
Chocolate Lab Temperament
A properly bred chocolate Lab will have a loving temperament, and will be want a great deal of attention and love in return. It will be energetic, but fun to train, since it is eager to please. Its enthusiasm for you will rival its enthusiasm for food and exercise!
Chocolate Lab Grooming
A chocolate Lab does not require a great deal of grooming. You should, however, brush it once a week to keep its coat clean. Labs shed, or “blow” their coats twice a year, and need additional grooming at those times.
Chocolate Lab Origins
Chocolate Labs have been present from the beginnings of the Labrador Retriever breed in the 1800′s. Chocolate Labs have not been popular as long as black and yellow Labs.
Popularity is increased when dogs win shows, and chocolate Labrador Retrievers did not have a bench champion until 1964, in Great Britain. Chocolate Labs are still the rarest Labrador Retriever color in the show ring as well as field tests. Judges and spectators both continue to show prejudice against them. Some find them almost ugly, and not fit for the show ring. Others believe they are stupid and cannot win field trials.
I was thinking of getting a chocolate lab puppy for my two year old daugther. I want to know anyone’s experience on raising the puppy along side young children. Please let me know your thoughts. Going to visit a breeder tomorrow about their puppies.
Mine loves children and even though he doesn’t live with a child…he is always protective and mindful of all the kids he meets. Awesome dogs!! lots of energy!!
High energy is an understatement!!!
Mine are Great with kids. Zeus my oldest can drag me across the porch, but when playing tug with a 2 year old, he just stands there. Smart dogs!
We have a chocolate lab we got when our kids were 2 and 3. He was definitely a rowdy puppy but sooooo good with our kids. He has never once snapped or even hinted at a growl. It took him a good two years to settle down a bit but I cant imagine life without our dog-son!
I love our chocolate lab. He is awesome with my 4 year old son, they love to play together all the time. He is the smartest dog I have ever had…best decision we ever made was purchasing him! He is very protective of his family though and I have to lock him up when repair people come to the house, but it makes me feel safe to know he will always protect us
Ive got an eight month old female chocolate.She has barked 3 times since Ive had her.3 SINGLE BARKS in six months.I also have a Yorkie that wont shut up.Ive tried everything that I can think of to get this dog to bark.Everyone I know thinks Im nuts for trying to get her to bark.I thought all dogs were suposed to bark.Have I got a defective dog?I love her,My Yorkie has a different opinion Im sure. Shes driving him crazy.But Im glad that I made the investment.Shes one of the smartest dogs Ive ever been arround.
My chocolate lab has my heart. He loves everyone — old and young. Very energetic and most intelligent….
i just bought a chocolate lab. She is two months old. She seems to cry for everything. When she is hungry when se wants to go outside, when she hasnt seen me for a few hours? I just wanted to see if this was normal cause im a little concerned.
I just got a 7 week old chocolate lab puppy 3 days ago. She is definitely a cute puppy. After I play with her for awhile, she gets pretty tired and then just plops down on the floor and takes a nap. When she sleeps, it just MELTS your heart, you ALL know what im talking about, if you had ever owned a chocolate lab puppy. Anyway, im really excited to grow up and train this dog to be as well trained as my babby girl Max who passed away. RIP max!!! Love ya
My 3 1/2 year old male chocolate is my third. They are just the best dogs (friends) ever! Easy to train, loving and loyal. Who could ask for more?
To anyone wanting a chocolate lab, I highly recommend it. I have a six month old female, and she is absolutely brilliant. She will sit and bark at the moon, it takes her about two tries to get a trick down, and she minds excellently!!! She is the most lovable dog that many people claim to have seen, and she does extremelly well with my four young nieces and nephews.
I have adopted a 1 year old male chocolate labe about 2 months ago. What a great dog and highly intellegent and highly energetic is an understatement. Sorry for the spelling. Just need to find a way to get him from trying to grab my calf when trying to come in from the back yard. Any suggestions are helpful. Fabulous around kids and other people. He has a very deep loud bark when strangers come to the door that are not suppose to be there. Has a high, ear peircing bark when he wants something. Drags food bowl around when wanting food.
I have a 14 week old chocolate lab named Rocco. My girls and I have had him for a month now, and we are just loving him. He’s such a good boy! I’ve never owned a dog before and I got him for my girls and to watch over them and the house when I’m not home. I recommend puppy classes. The girls and I take Rocco every Thursday for an hour to class. I have also got him on a schedule and house training is going great. He is now letting us know when he has to go out. I walk him 3 or 4 times a day and run around the backyard with him. Next month when he gets his rabbies shot I will be taking him to the dog park to play with the other dogs and to swim in the lake. He loves the water and giving him a bath is so easy. He’s not a barker but he will nip at us because he is teething. I have lots of bones and chew toys and so far he has not ruined anything in the house. We also keep him crated at night and when we are not home and this also helps with potty training them. I would recommend this breed to everyone! I get so many compliments on how beautiful he is and he has the green eyes.
really want a choclate labrador i am a ten year old and i hve 2 guinea pigs i am wondering about the saftey of them they live outside i have studed them i know the facts but it doesn’t mean they wont harm them i know they are great with children my youngest brother is 4 any advice will be very apriciated rememmber i am 10 so dont think i am just a stupid kid !!
I have a chocolate lab and they are not ugly they are very good tempered and playful mine has no white spots and her eyes are yellow very pretty dog and is great around kids
We pick our brown male choc lab up on 2nd November – we are all so excited and can’t wait to bring him home. As we have not owned a dog before it is all new to us. It is really nice to read all the comments people have made.
my black lab is so cute and playful. when i am sick he cuddles with me. he sleeps with me and he loves me alot and i love him alot too. i spoil him alot whatever i eat except chocolate he eats it too because i share everything with him.
Dose your dog like balls our 2 year old lab is ball crazy thats how we get him in the house wonderfull dog.we adopted it a few mo ago. the best dog ever. good with kids and all people it is an alert dog barks at strangers. it will drop the ball at your feet and bark at it to play.
Just rescued a 6 month old lab. (was gonna be used for training a pit bull) This dog is awesome! Sits, stays, sleeps all night, rarely barks, and is a joy to be around. The only drawback, is when the neighbors dog is outside, Bo has selective hearing…He will not come when called. However at 6 months, we have a lifetime to correct this problem. Requires lots of attention which he gets and lots of exercise. GREAT Dog.
my chocolate lab is the dumbest dog i’ve ever known. i love her to death, but she is stupider and stubborner than a rock. please don’t blame the owner. she is the first purebred i’ve ever owned,a nd she will be the last. my other dogs have been trainable, and smart or at least average/. Maggie is a exuberant and incorrigable. I have always been able to visit friends with other dogs. Maggie has an eating disorder, and can not contain herself in people’s homes from screaming for food if there is anything out on counters. I have learned how to dogproof for her at home after many emergency trips to the vet including the ingestion of a bottle of lavender oil. she is crazy and dumb!
I have an eight year old female choc lab. I love her to bits, she’s highly intellegent but is extremly stubborn and only listens when she wants to even though she is fully trained-she is getting a better listener now she’s aging. However, she gets on great with our other 2 dogs and anybody who visits, including children.
I would highly recommend as long as you’re prepared to be patient.
hey i have a chocolate lab he is very friendly he is very old i have had him since i was 4 years old. And i am now 11 he likes to play with his stuffed pig
charlie is the most loveable pet ive ever owned he will give me hugs kisses scratch my back retrieve what ever i ask him to he shuts doors for me all on command its unbelieveable i work 7 days a week some times 10 to 12 hrs very little time to train him he just seems to know and has never went the house even as a small puppy the smartest pet i have ever owned i would die if any thing was to happen to my scooby-do. i would suggest any one to have a choco lab your missing out if your a dog lover.
our chocolate lab is a wonderful pet and companion to our family. we work long hours and it is always nice to be greeted with such unconditional love, and all he asks for in return is the attention and love he gives to us.
he has been easy to train and loves children. my husband can go out front and our dog will lay in the yard and never run off. like most, if not all other dogs, they will show lots of love and postive responsiveness if you spend the time to show and teach them those things. a dumb dog is only the result of the owner being as such, or just not spending the quality time the dog wants or needs.
i have had many pets…. dogs, cats, etc and i have never met such a loyal, loving, and smart pet than a chocolate lab. not to mention such a beautiful animal…their coats are soft and shiny if the pet is well taken care of.
My choco lab is so nice he follows me around and he makes this cute noise. I’m gonna cry coz i’m so happy! :’)
I have a chocolate lab and have to say dumbest dog I have ever owned. Great with kids, as long as she isn’t running them over, but wow is this dog dumb. I do feel sorry since in all likely-hood it is caused by inbreeding done because so many people want labs. Friendly dog, but like labs I have owned before she is beyond dumb. Good dog though if you have small children.
Please note, I have raised and bred Heelers, hounds, basenji as well as others.
we adopted a chocolate lab and hes the most amazing guy ever hes not extremely energetic, we have three kids the oldest is five. Hes very gentle with the kids doesnt knock them over and makes sure there ok when they cry hes the best dog ever.
Chocolate labs are great dogs. I never ever regret I got one. He is indeed the best friend I have and he can easy adopt your life style. He is great with people but keep in mind: even he is the friendliest creature on earth-his power is unbelievable would not recommend very small kids play with him without supervision. He can harm without meaning to do so-even stepping on someone foot could be very painful. Also make sure to clip dog’s nails regularly. Beside that you will have loving companion..
Chocolate labs are awesome dogs and are wonderful smart pets but I would not suggest for little ones. Though the dog means no harm it could hurt small ones, especially when the dog is full size but still a puppy so it wants to play.
i love chocalte labs
1 word cute
My Cocoa is the best dog in the world, I cannot believe how much love i have for this dog, hes around a year old and so full of love you would not believe. Cocoa is a pure breed Gundrift Chocolate Lab ans is very sensitive to skin irritations, apart from that he’s a friendly, loving, fun and energetic dog that loves cuddles and food!
Anyone wanting a Lab needs to be prepared to provide them with lots of love, attention and exercise. You will not regret getting a Labrador, in my opinion they are the best dogs anyone could get.
My family and I are thinking about getting a Chocolate Lab because we are moving to North Carolina from Mass and Me (the oldest child of 2) wants to learn about them. My Mom whos not a very big animal lover is letting us have one if we train it , feed it, clean its mess, and take good care of it. I read that it can shed… of coures my Mom will get mad if she finds hair all over the house! Does anyone know a way to not get so much hair in the house?
I am so happy I finally got a Chocolate Lab. I have heard from many people that they are not a very intelligent breed, but that statement could not be further from the truth. Hunter is a very smart, lovable, kind,submissive, loyal, easy to train part of our family. I think that if you own a Lab, of any color, you need to spend a lot of time with them. Labs can easily get depressed if they do not have human contact. I own a business and can work from home, so owning a Lab was the right choice for all of us! We are actually looking to get another one in the spring. I love the way he listens for the school bus and waits patiently at the door for the kids to come in, then he kisses them all over! I think that with anything, if you spend the time with them teaching them what is acceptable, you will all be a lot happier in the long run!!!!! I will always be thankful Hunter came into our lives….
I suprised my husband with a chocolate lab last summer after not having his balck lab who passed away 20 years ago. I heard rumors that these labs were so hyper, not true, take a look at the ingredients on the packages of your treats and food. My husband noticed they all contained sugar! Once I got rid of the sugar and went with a holistic dog food, milk bones and pig ear strips, her energy level dropped way down. Before she was 10 weeks old she could sit, and shake her paws and by 12 weeks speak. I’ve never had such an intellegent dog! Training is easy with this pup also, she learns so fast!
I got my chocolate lab at 3 months old , what a hand full, now he is 2 and i would not have any other breed. Its amazing how intelligent this breed is. But b prepared to work and walk. i walk mine 3 miles every morning and he is ready to play after that. i urge u not to get this breed unless you can give it a lot, a lot of attention, do that and u have a wonderful loving dog.
I got my chocolate lab when she was just four weeks old, although I think she was far too young to be taken from her pack she has proven to be an amazing companion. I have a shepherd, a border collie and my lab who is now 18months. While my other two dogs are smart as young children, the lab is unbelievable. She has been potty trained since she is six weeks old and has had only two accidents in the time I have her. If she has to go out or wants to go out and play she will go get my sneaker, if I ignore her she goes to get my other sneaker; if I continue to ignore her she goes and gets her leash! then she will put the leash and in my lap and then go sit in front of the door and stare, until I get up! she is hysterical!! When she wants affection she will come on my lap and put her face right up to mine sideways so I can kiss her snout! If I don’t’ kiss her she nudges me! I would have to say Mike above gave Great advice, unless you can give it a LOT of attention and play with him/her OFTEN I’d suggest a less hyper dog!
Good Luck!!
I was bitten in the face by a Lab, on Feb.20, 2009. I was only 17 at the time and I am 19 now. Most people think pit bills are bad dogs but more Labs bite then pits but no one reports it. The dog ripped my bottom lip off and I had to get my whole face reconstructed and to this day I still have a lot of trouble doing normal every day things like brushing my teeth and eating. so just be careful when picking a Lab.
Anyone who says chocolate labs are dumb, either are unable to train these dogs (which well, doesn’t take more than a good 20minutes max) or have gotten a horribly inbred lab from irresponsible “breeders” (aka: puppy mill). When I was a baby, my grandparents would lay me down on the floor with their adult black lab Smokey (supervised of course) and he would lay his paw around me and protect me or “clean” me like I was his puppy. Anytime someone he didn’t know wanted to pick me up, he would give a low, deep throated growl..not so much of an angry growl but a “what are you doing with my baby” noise. Labs are by far, one of the most gentle and nurturing dogs you can find. These memories of Smokey and my grandparents other labs made me want one of my own as an adult and I couldn’t be happier. Extremely intelligent, playful and a true teddy bear of a dog! I have never seen any breed more loyal to their family, yet completely friendly to someone they dont know — and can differentiate between someone you know/like, and someone you don’t.
And to the person who said more labs bite than pits: that is just not true. If anyone was bit in the face by ANY dog, don’t you think it would be reported? any dog will bite if provoked. and yes, that even means poodles.
I have my first American Chocolate, Jackson Browne. I’ve had 5 Blacks. Raised a litter of two with the mother on site. One lived 14 years, one 12 and one 10. Last blackie got bloat like in the movie. Died very suddenly. My brownie is a joker, loves attention, barks on command and with hand signals, uses the bathroom on command, sits, shakes, water retrieves, catches frisbee in the air. Great companion, protective, likes to sit on the couch with us or on his own bed in front of a window looking outside. I trained him to ride in a pickup but at 6 months jumped from a truck bed on the way for a vet visit.
Broke rear leg, had it set with titanium plate and 17 screws. Jackson has made a full recovery. I highly recommend to use a harness system when transporting your lab. We had a specialist from N.C. State University operate on our Jackson and my daughetr is a vet tech.
AGAIN DO NOT LET YOUR DOG RIDE IN A PICKUP UN HARNESSED IF YOU LOVE THEM. Very expensive lesson also.
$5,000.00.
I paid 400.00 for my pup, regestered out of a litter of 4 yellows, 4 blacks and 3 browns. Father was a black flathead, 100 pounds. Mom was a yellow 90 lbs. Jackson is 90 lbs. of pure joy.
My daughter has a Chocolate Lab named Kola. We have had him since he was 6 weeks old. Let me tell you…this guy is a lot of love, and energy. He is so full of love that we are never lonely. I wonder how did we ever get along without him. He is great with my grandson who is 3 years old and my god-son who is 7. The only situation is even at 1 year old he is big, so we have to be watchful when he plays with the boys. He does not try to hurt them or anyone else but as I said before he is big and gentle….but big. If you want love, easy training get a chocolate Lab. Can hardly wait for the summer to get back to playing in the yard every day with Kola. He is so loving and smart.
i have a chocolate lab called jack he is very dumb and loves to sleep and is like a vacuum cleaner wen it comes to food but they are good dogs tho lovely dogs
My dog is a Straight up BEAST!:) He love me my bro and sis. We love him….His name is Rooker after an island in Florida
I have read so many comments I am planning to get one , its gonna be my second dog, my first dog was a crazy brown poodle that likes to hump and run away , he was very stupid and everyday I would suffer training with him one day he ran away and got lost ! He has been outside so many times and should relize where we live but NO he never came back but I stilled cried even he was a horrible dog I still miss him , I really think the chocolate labador is great very beautiful most of the comments are very touching I love dogs
My lab loves people and other dogs. Although he is very lazy and loves to eat. He doesn’t do much either, but I still love him!!!!!!!
We just got a chocolate lab puppy and she is an ANGEL! We love her so much and now can’t imagine not having her. She is so sweet and nice to everybody and everything! We have two other dogs which she loves and she loves babies and children.. like I said she loves anything! Her name is Lillie Mae and she is PERFECT! I would highly suggest getting a chocolate lab for anybody who wants a companion and if you have children they are great!!!
I definitely had no idea what was in store when i got my choc lab pup a few months ago…EXTREMELY high energy, nontheless, he is very lovable, loves attention….often gets himself into trouble, but quickly learns what he is and isn’t allowed to do. He chews alot though, with his teeth coming in, but isn’t as bad as he was when i first got him. He is a joy to be around, brings a smile to your face, lights up the room…gotta love em <3
i have a chocclate lab and it awsome with the kiddies there a great PET !!!! IF THERE TRAINED
I have a 4yr old that was givin to me that pees every where we have tried everything to get him to stop . He also barks every time he is outside and doesn’t stop not fun trying to enjoy time oudoors when uhave to always listen to barking . But I can say he is great with my children