How to Tell a Full Blooded Silver Lab
Labrador retrievers are water dogs originally bred in Newfoundland. Athletic and loyal, labs are a family pet in the United States. There is controversy regarding purebred Labrador coloring. The American Kennel Club recognizes yellow, black and chocolate coloring. Silver is not recognized as an acceptable color, though the American Kennel Club acknowledges silver coloring as a shade of chocolate lab. Many breeders reject the disqualification of silver labs, pointing to their lineage and DNA testing as basis for their purebred status. Opponents argue that silver labs are a cross between Labradors and Weimaraners.
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Instructions
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Look at the dog's head. The head should be broad and rectangular in shape. A lab is bred to bring game back to its owner and the larger and broad head allows it to carry birds back.
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Look at the dog's coat. The coat should be short and shiny. As labs are water dogs, their short, shiny coat repels water.
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Look at the dog's body. Labs should be athletic with a fairly large build. The legs should be strong and its body should be broad with a long straight tail.
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Look at the dog's coloring. Silver Labradors should be gray in color, with the same short, shiny coat as labs of other colors. The dog's nose, pads of the feet and nails should also be silver.
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Look at the dog's eyes. Silver lab puppies have blue eyes which change to a light yellow around six months of age. When yellow, their eyes should be lighter in color than the eye's of a chocolate lab.
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Tips & Warnings
All dogs can be DNA tested to determine their bloodline. Consider testing to make sure the dog is a lab, but be aware labs with silver coloring are recognized in American competitions as a separate breed.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
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Comments
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dna should be tested upon registering. its expensive tough.
