Mary Allen
Which is better, a white, a chocolate or a black Labrador (or even a silver one?). Which coat color is the best?
What coat color is best for a labrador?
Actually a pretty stupid question. Because the character of a dog does not depend on the color of its coat. And a black lab can be a docile pooch who comes right back when called, just as a white lab can be a total tomboy who chews up master’s slippers. And a silver Labi is no more valuable of its type and character than a pitch-black one of its race. And a gold one isn’t worth more than a silver one.
The coat color is the same in temperament
There is therefore no better or worse, at least in terms of character or nature.
Here are a few not-so-serious notes on the best coat color for Labradors:
Of course, it has advantages if you have a light tiled floor, to have a lighter dog, and if you have dark parquet, a dark dog. The hair doesn’t stand out that much (caution, that was meant ironically, although I’ve heard of people who have matched the color of their dog’s fur to the interior design). And a light Lab that’s been rolling in the mud is more likely to look really, really dirty than a dark Labi that’s had the same pleasure. At the latest when the mud dog was on the master’s or mistress’s trouser leg, the coat color is then irrelevant.
In summer, bright has its advantages
Naturally, light-colored Labradors have a small advantage in the summer when the sun is beating down. But a responsible dog owner will limit the time outdoors in high summer temperatures, especially in the blazing sun, so that black, chocolate, or light no longer really plays a role.
Ticks are also more noticeable on light
Personally, I have also had the experience that you are more likely to spot unwanted free riders on your own dog if it has light-colored fur. A tick is more noticeable and flea droppings as well. We once had a husky mix and a German shepherd mix. The husky mix definitely had light spots on top and on the sides, the Shepherd-Doberman mix did not. When we walked through the forest, I immediately saw ticks on the bright spots of one dog and was able to wipe them off before they settled. These annoying insects could not be seen in the German shepherd-Doberman mix. That would then probably count as a small advantage for bright labis.
Prejudices against big dark dogs
Now let’s get down to the serious side of whether a light Lab is better than a dark one, or if there is a difference in coat color.
Unfortunately, the fact is that there are many people who have prejudices against large and dark or black dogs. And since the Labrador is one of the larger dog breeds, although it is one of the smallest here, a black Labrador seems more threatening to people who are afraid of dogs than a golden or almost white Labi. Unfortunately, this is also reflected in the placement statistics for animal shelters and the like. A black Labrador will usually have to wait longer in the animal shelter for a new owner than a golden Heller.
Coat color doesn’t really matter with a Labrador…
It is therefore certainly possible that a dark black Labrador Retriever can experience more rejection than a white one. But since a responsible dog owner would like to spare his Labrador such experiences anyway, no matter what coat color his dog has, these should not develop a formative character.
Brown labs don’t live that long
However, a study has shown that at least the life expectancy of the Labrador is influenced by its coat color. Brown Labradors have a shorter lifespan than their blonde and black breed counterparts.