What Causes the Silver Labrador’s Silver Coat? https://www.thelabradorsite.com
Labrador coat color is controlled by a set of genes. You can read about the way B genes and E genes influence coat color by looking up an online article titled, "Labrador Color Inheritance."
However, the silver color is controlled by a different gene, the D gene. The D gene acts as a type of switch. One type: ‘big D’ switches coat color to full strength, and the other type ‘little d’ switches it to ‘dilute’. But remember genes come in pairs. And big D over-rides little d. So, unless ‘little d’ is paired with another ‘little d’ it will have no effect.
The silver labradors coat color is similar to a Weimaraner. Weimaraners all have two of the ‘little d’ genes. The appearance of the double little d gene in chocolate Labradors is how silver labs get their color.
Having only one ‘d’ gene won’t change his/her coat, but they will be able to pass that gene on to their offspring. This is sometimes referred to as "Silver Factored" or "Champagne Factored."
The dilute gene in the Labrador Retriever does not only produce silver dogs. The dilution gene produces a different color depending on the base color of the Lab that carries it, and the gene is not confined to chocolates.
Champagne Labradors
Just like in chocolate Labradors, the yellow Lab can also be a carrier of the dilute gene. When a yellow Lab has two ‘little d’ genes, his or her coat is diluted to a color that has been described as Champagne.
Coat color dilution is not always easy to identify in a Champagne Labrador Retriever. This is because we are accustomed to seeing Yellow Labs in quite a range of colors from palest cream to a dark golden.
But once you have seen a champagne Labrador, you’ll appreciate the subtle difference.
Charcoal Labradors
Black Labradors can also have the little ‘d’ coat color dilution gene.
This produces a color that has been called charcoal, it is quite a subtle and slightly silvery effect but slightly easier to identify than champagne.
Are Silver Labs recognized by the AKC?
Silver Labradors can/are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC). They are registered, not as silver, but as Chocolate. Let me explain...
These dogs are registered under the color that the dog would have been without the dilute gene. The AKC states that Silver Labrador puppies should be registered as Chocolate. Chocolate ranges from sedge (silvery brown) to a deep brown. Similarly, a Champagne Lab is registered as a "Yellow," which ranges from white cream to golden yellow. A Charcoal Lab is registered as a Black lab.
Some people, who may not be well educated on the breed, stance of the AKC, or registration of dilute colored labs, have expressed their strong opinion on the authenticity of breed and often claim that they cannot be registered. This is simply NOT true. Check it out for yourself!
Silver, Charcoal, and Champagne Labs typically cost more because of their beautiful rare coat color.