What color Labrador is most expensive? Complete Guide
Due to specific genetic makeup, white and silver labs are very rare. Let’s discover which color Labrador is the most expensive and rare in the lab breed!
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Table of Contents
Written By: Ethan Anderson
Team My Dog Cravings
Disclaimer By The Author:
I am not a veterinarian doctor; I am just a pet parent responsible for more serious issues regarding your dog's health. It would help to visit a doctor and thoroughly research before choosing any food product.
Lab-breed dogs are Known as the second largest breed according to US breeders. Labrador Retriever dogs have always been in the eyes of pet lovers due to their affective, energetic, and specific genetic makeup.
As these dogs naturally come in many coat colors, such as chocolate, yellow, and white silver, it can be challenging to know which color Labrador is the most expensive. Of course, silver labs are rare due to their shiny coat and blue eyes, and their prices are higher than those of chocolate-coat labs.
Additionally, chocolate and black labs are not so rare. Their coat color affects the price positively. Rare or unique dogs are always loved by pet parents; that’s why the Silver Breed Lab is the best masterpiece of nature. Let’s learn more about the factors on which the price of a lab depends!
Key factors affecting Labrador price and inheritance involved
Here are a few factors that affect the price of labs.
- Age: Young labs are more expensive than aged ones. The average lifespan of a lab breed is 13-14 years.
- Registration: The American Kennel Club registers yellow, chocolate, and white labs, while silver is not regarded as a pure breed. So, labs with proper registration papers are more expensive.
- Coat color: Labs with silver, yellow, and white coat colors are more expensive as compared to chocolate and black.
- Breeders: Breeders are the primary factor affecting the price of labs. Reputable breeders will charge more than local ones.
So, it’s totally a pet parent’s choice to purchase the most expensive lab or the most common one. Both breeds require high nutrition and grooming to maintain body health.
Breeding and Genetics behind Lab Breed Coat Colour
Multiple allele genes are responsible for Genetic factors affecting Labrador color. The coat color is controlled by Two genes, the B gene and the Extension gene, named as E gene. The B and E genes may be dominant or recessive and maintain the coat color as
Coat colour | Genetics | Inheritance |
Black | BB | Dominant |
Chocolate | bb | Recessive |
Yellow | ee | Extension |
Silver | dd | Dilution gene |
The genetic makeup of silver labs is completely different from the genetic makeup of other labs because this depends on the dilution factor of the gene.
For example, if the dd gene is present in a Labs dog and both are recessive, then a Silver-Breed dog is born. The inheritance of Coat-Color Labradors is very unique and specific because it is a multi-allelic system. That’s why breeders should be very active in breeding practices to obtain special coat colors and try to do responsible Labrador breeding so that new variations can come.
How Colour Variations influence price
The coat color is the primary factor influencing the price (800$-6400$) of labs like
Silver Labradors are very rare with unique genetics, and shiny fur is the Most costly Labrador color.
- Yellow Labrador: These coat color labs are also expensive due to brutal breeding practices to attain recessive traits.
- Chocolate Labrador: This coat color is very high in demand, so it is not as expensive as white or silver.
- Black Labrador: These black coat lab’s are also very common due to easy breeding and a dominant gene pool.
- Red and Fox Red Labrador: Wonderful lab breeds with shiny fur are rare but less than white and silver, so they are more expensive than chocolate.
Market Factors and Specific Coat Color Demands
The market factor of any dog breed depends on its demand. The demand for specific Labrador colors is high for silver, yellow, and white because these three colors are scarce and have exceptional market demand. That’s why breeders ensure the availability of rare Labrador colors to satisfy pet parents.
Secondly, trends vary a lot in the era of social media. Sometimes, one color of Labrador becomes more fashionable than others, so the price trend in Labrador keeps on varying. Chocolate, black, and red Labradors are not so rare, so their market demand is high due to their low price. The influence of coat color on laboratory demand is considerable.
Health and Care for Labs coat
As wonderful as Lab breeds are, they are challenging to care for because they need a highly nutritional diet and exercise.
- Care requirements for different coat colors also vary, as black chocolate and red labs do not require much grooming and maintenance.
- While silver labs require grooming twice a week.
It is also important to note that the impact of coat color on labrador health is particular. Silver breed dogs are born with as short a life span as chocolate and brown dogs. However, it is the responsibility of the parent to take special care of his dog, his grooming, and health.
Recognition and Controversy about Silver Labs
It will be surprising to you that there is still controversy going on with Silver Labs because the AKC has yet to accept the Silver Lab as a pure lab breed. They believe that the Silver Lab is born with the dilution gene, but at the same time, it is not a pure lab breed because when the chocolate lab mates with the Weimaraner breed, the Silver Lab comes into existence. But AKC recognition of Labrador colors has to upgrade Breed standards and color acceptance to call the Silver Lab purebred.
Historical Context of Labs coat color
The historical background and evolution of color preference of Labs are very fantastic. As with time, there are changes in breeding practices, and variations within the coat color of lab breeds have gained very popularity. And it has been going on since the 1800s that labs dogs have always been used for fishing and hunting purposes due to their friendly, energetic nature.
Conclusions:
Finally, the price of lab-breed dogs is based on their coat color, health, market trends, and demands. Silver labs are highly expensive due to beauty while chocolate and brown color dogs are common due to their low price. But remember, taking care of the Labrador Retriever is a bit difficult compared to other dogs. Still, it is worth it because these dogs are loving and loyal and always support the owner in every difficulty. Read more of our articles to learn more about dog breeds!
References
Research By: Brian Mitchell
Team My Dog Cravings
