Can Chocolate Labradors Have Blue Eyes?
Can chocolate Labradors have blue eyes?
This is a very popular question here at Ruffwood Labs.
The chocolate Labrador Retriever, initially known as the "ugly duckling" is now among one of the most in-demand dog breeds. With his endearing personality and willingness to please; the chocolate, along with yellow, fox red, and black Labrador, have won first place among the hearts of millions of dog lovers. In fact, the Labrador Retriever has been Americas number one dog for the past 28 years, according to AKC records.
History of the breed
The chocolate Labrador Retriever was admitted to the breed long after the yellow and black Labrador. It was not until the twentieth century that these dogs were recognized in the United States. Until that time both chocolate and yellow were considered outcast. These colors, when compared to the black Labrador, were not considered to be "show quality," when it came to exhibitions.
The chocolate color in Labs is not a simple recessive gene. It is even more difficult for breeders to determine a pattern to constantly produce chocolate colored Labs with the same dark shading and color intensity. Many geneticists think that this breed is produced through the action of partial dominant genes.
The temperament of a chocolate Labrador
Like all Labradors, the chocolate-colored ones have a soft and sweet behavior. The eyes are the passage to the soul of a Labrador. Friendly and loyal, the eyes of a Lab tell the story of this attractive breed.
Raised to hunt, recover and rescue, this dog has resilience and energy to spare, which makes it a good hunting partner. Easy to train, these Labradors excel in field trials, agility and obedience. Stable and reliable, this breed is notable as rescue and search canines, assistance for the physically disabled and guide dogs for the blind . His intelligence, kindness, and ability to adapt, make him popular as a family pet. Labradors are among the most popular dog breed in the world.
Eye Color
Any dog breed can have almost any color eyes. It mostly depends on their genetics. However, for a Labrador to have blue eyes, the genetics has to be very poor. According to basic breed standard Friendly eyes means the dog will have a good temperament, alertness, and intelligence.
• They should be set well apart medium-sized and neither protruding nor deep set.
• Eye color should be brown in both yellow and black Labradors, and hazel or brown in chocolate labs. Yellow or black eyes are undesirable as they give a harsh expression.
• Eyes being too small or set close together are also not typical of the breed.
• Eye rims should be black in the yellow and black Labrador; and brown in the chocolate Lab. An eye rim without pigmentation is considered a disqualification.
It is hard to disagree, that the green, hazel or golden eyes of the Lab give it a truly outstanding presence. And the different shading in the coats from the light chocolate to the dark chocolate color attracts many owners to the Labrador breed.
Ruffwood Labs would love to pair you with your next best four-legged friend, no matter what eye color or coat color you prefer.
