Want to know what the most popular dog in Canada and the US is, year after year, decade after decade? The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) both confirm that it's our wonderful Labrador Retriever.
The breed is leader of the pack in several other countries, too, and widely thought to be the most popular dog in the whole world.
And we all know why. Smart, funny, family-friendly, easily trainable.the list goes on and on.
You know you want one. Who wouldn't, right? But then it comes down to which one to get.
It's a given that you'll want to get your new furry friend from a responsible breeder, but after that comes the issue of colour.
Are you leaning towards one, but you're just not sure? What's the difference anyway? Aren't all Labs the same?
The short answer is that on the whole, they are - with one or two exceptions.
So, in this article, we'll look specifically at Chocolate Labs and Chocolate Labrador puppies.
Is there anything in particular that makes them stand out from the crowd? Or what might make you change your mind about choosing that colour?
Let's dig in.
The CKC tells us that all Labradors evolved from dogs that early settlers took to Newfoundland, where they became excellent retrievers of fish and game.
English sports enthusiasts who traveled to the area recognized the dog's potential. They took some of them back to England and further developed them until they became the breed we all know and love today.
While black is the predominant colour for a Lab, genetics allowed for the birth of some brown and yellow pups. Way back in the breed's history, black was the only acceptable colour, but the "offshoots" became more popular over time. Today the brown Lab is a firm family favorite and popular and very successful in the show ring.
And it's that colour that makes a Chocolate Lab stand out from its yellow and black cousins. Although it can be lighter, people love that luscious, deep chocolatey brown. It's no wonder that the name evolved from brown (or the much-less cuddly liver) to chocolate - it's much more descriptive and attractive to families.
And to add to that, the eye colour and pigmentation around the nose and mouth are usually chocolate, too.
But does that coat colour make a difference to the temperament or intelligence of the dog?
But it seems these statements are nothing more than people's opinions! The colour of a Lab's coat does not alter its characteristics one bit!
Different studies over time have tried to test this, but so far, no one has ever come up with any proof that it does.
Yay! You don't have to be a marathon runner to own a Chocolate Lab!
You're not off the exercise hook, though; ALL Labs need plenty of running-around time. That's a given.
An Australian study in 2018 found that some of our Chocolate chums don't live quite as long as Black or Yellow Labs. It also pointed out that they are more prone to ear and skin problems.
They admitted, however, that the issue is not with the colour of the dog itself but more with how it was bred. Researchers said: "Selective breeding for the popular chocolate colour may have inadvertently introduced genetic consequences for the dog's health."
We can conclude from this that it's imperative to seek out quality breeders who will do genetic tests on the parents to ensure no negative health traits are passed on to their pups.
The supposed health issues of some chocolate lab lines are related to inbreeding. The inbreeding coefficient should be under fife percent, some chocolate lines are well over ten percent. Skin issues have nothing to do with color but everything with inbreeding. A good breeder will make sure that the inbreeding coefficient is below fife percent.
While there's nothing official about it, Labs do get classified and bred into two distinct categories - the English or the American variety. All Labs can fit into either category, but there are a couple of differences to consider.
American Labs (sometimes known as Field Labs) are bred to be taller, leaner, and better for agility or hunting.
English Labs (sometimes called Show Labs) are a little stockier and shorter. They do better in the show ring as they are bred to conform to the breed standard and have more even temperaments. They're not quite as athletic but very popular with families. Chocolate Labs fall more into this category but do well in the first, too.
Don't let your Chocolate Lab get overweight. That sturdier frame can get too big and cause health issues down the line, such as arthritis.
But don't get hung up on these differences - bottom line is that all Labs can do well in all situations. The differences may make you pick one over the other, but you can't go wrong with any Lab from the right breeder.
All puppies are cute, but it should all be about the parents when it comes to choosing one! A responsible breeder will only mate two adult dogs that have been health-screened to prevent the resulting pups from suffering from inherited disease. You will always want to see documents that show this.
In addition, don't take any shortcuts for the sake of saving a few dollars.
Chocolate Labs get their colour from a recessive gene. They need a Chocolate mom and a Chocolate dad, and because of that, they are rarer. Lower-cost pups may come from someone who might inbreed to make their life easier.
Labrador puppies of all colours essentially have the same needs. However, bear in mind that a Chocolate Lab's dark coat means they can overheat quickly. These high-energy Sporting breed pups will run until they drop.Be careful in hot weather.
You'll find that your Chocolate Lab puppy is very smart, and a dream to train. Training is a must so they understand their place in your world, but it will be easy to accomplish. House-breaking can be done in two weeks.
Exercise is crucial. Walk your puppy, play with them, let the kids run with them. And when it's safe to socialize them, puppy daycare can be invaluable.
Last but not least, all that puppy energy needs fuel. Feed the best quality food you can afford. Ask your breeder for advice on what to feed and how much.
Does the Chocolate Lab call you? Is that stunning coat as tempting as chocolate itself? Have you fallen for that show ring body? If so, don't let anything stop you!
Yes, it doesn't matter what colour Lab you get. You're going to get the same fun-loving, friendly, loyal package. Instead, choose the right breeder and see if the particular dog's personality and temperament work well with you and your home environment.
The breeder will give you the right dog.you must ensure it fits into your family. When you do that, you'll have a match made in Heaven.
Now you've made up your mind that you've got to have a Chocolate Lab, it's time to turn your attention to where to find one. We've seen how much it matters to find the right breeder, and here at Udonstar Labradors, we guarantee satisfaction. We have Chocolate Labs and Chocolate Labrador puppies for sale, and we'd love to talk to you. Take the next step and contact us by email for more information or topick out your new best friend.