Labrador colours, a guess anyone? Discussions

I'd have said they were all variations of chocolate to be honest. As far as I know there are only black, yellow and chocolate labs.

I remember someone linking a site about coat colour and genetics on another forum and it had some mismarked labs on there, yellow with some black markings on them. Think it mentioned bolo spots on there, a different coloured spot on the paw near the pad?

Exactly right in that the original dogs were black and chocolate, but the yellow was introduced during the period when the breed was made into the Labrador Retriever as we know it today, using the introduction of other breed types. Any ideas as to how we got yellow? Again, this is from reading articles etc, so anyone knowledgeable please join in and correct me if I go wrong!

Oooo oooo is it patches of residual white?

I know quite a few breeds get the odd bits of white, which are thought to not actually be markings genetically coded for, but when the melanocytes just didn't migrate quite all the way to the extremities during development.

Our Ruby has a lot of residual white, and my parents greyhounds have it too?

Could be totally wrong again though ... I researched colour genetics as a teen and the geek side never left ....

I'm a part time geek, wish I had the time and energy to understand it fully!

Have heard of Bolo Spots, but aren't sure what they are.

Things like this really interest me, but I get so easily confused!!

My best friend in secondary school made this site:

http://abnormality.purpleflowers.net/genetics/

It's awesome ... she mainly knew dog colour genetics, I did ratties lol. I use her site all the time now.

Right, I'll try and find a photo of Tau's bolo spots, but yes, Bolo spots are present with some lines, and are attributeable to Banchory Bolo, a very influential dual champion, and a Labrador I admire greatly, not just because of his looks and ability, but the story behind him. Some believe bolo spots are remnants of some of the breeds used to create the Labrador Retriever, with the introduction of collies and spaniels, they are generally small white spots under the feet and up onto the wrist/pastern, Tau has a white spot under each front foot, which count as bolos. Next question, are they acceptable under the breed standard?

Pass ... probably not?

I know it's not liked in most other breeds that typically should have solid colouration.

Cant say I do know, Although I believed that the first registered yellow was from two black parents? Genetics are a crazy thing, and ever so intresting.

I personally would hazard a guess at a no.. But then are they said to be named after a show champion, or was it a feild champion?

I've read articles which suggest that the introduction of yellow into Labradors, was from the addition of a 'hound' type, not unquestionable when you know that a pedigree grehound is listed within Labrador Retriever pedigrees, and it is also thought that the introduction of collies and spaniels accounts for some of the mismarks we occasionally see thrown out, all additions to help produce an all round fabulous retriever, which to my mind, has worked!

Banchory Bolo was a dual champion ;-) just looking for an example pic of Tau's bolos for folk.....

I knew it was after some sort of champion! piccies will be good.

My son has a black and tan lab.

Okay, here is a close up of Tau's white bits, they do look more like a round white spot in the flesh, but anyway, this is a bit of a bolo, some have bolo spots carry up onto the wrist/pastern as stated, but Tau's are just under her front feet...



Are they accepted under the breed standard? No, but neither are they mentioned as a fault, and unless you look for them, you wouldn't know they were there, unlike some of the chest marks that are acceptable....

What's known as a 'mismark', there are a few of them about, and considering the ancestry behind Labradors, it isn't surprising.

Id say all those funny coloured labs are just dilutes, too much breeding back on the choc , (although the silver one dosent look "quiteRight")

My friend has a lovely Fox red. Hes gorgeous, really dark as a pup, but lightening up each year

BTW , Just to say GREAT thread!

Black
Chocolate
Yellow

Did I open a can of worms then?