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.