Genetic Breakdown of Genes That Control Labrador Retriever Coat Color

Determination of coat color within the Labrador Retriever breed can be a daunting task. Through years of breeding this breed of dog I have compiled much information. The question asked on a regular basis is..." what color will the puppies be ? " so I decided to pull all my knowledge together and explain the genes that determine the coat color as simply as possible.

Below is a detailed description of the genes and their purpose. Just remember that "B" controls the color of coat and "E" regulates whether or not the color pigment will be deposited in the hair . You may have to read over this explanation a couple of times before the genes start making sense, but do not worry they will.

The coat color of Labrador Retrievers (Black, chocolate, or yellow) is controlled by two different genes B and E

The B controls the color of the coat, and is either B=Black or b=brown.

Each parent passes the offspring with the "B" gene or a "b" gene. Black is dominant .

BB = both dame and stud provide a Black gene

Bb = dame provides Black, stud provides brown; or vice versannbb = both dame and stud provide a brown gene

A puppy with one or two "B's" will have a Black nose; one with two "b's" will have a brown nose

The E gene regulates whether the color pigment will actually be deposited in the hair, and is either "E" = permits pigment deposition, or "e" = prevents pigment deposition. each parent provides the offspring with either an "E" gene or an "e" gene

Each parent provides the offspring with either an "E" gene or an "e" gene

EE = both dame and stud provide the gene permitting pigment depositio

Ee = dame provides the gene permitting deposition, stud provides the gene preventing deposition; or vice versannee = both dame and stud provide the gene preventing depositio

As a result, any Labrador retriever that has at least one "B" and one "E" (BBEE, BBEe, BbEE, or (BbEe) will be Black.

A Labrador retriever that has two "b's" and at least one "E" (bbEE or bbEe) will be brown.

A Labrador retriever that has two "e's," whether it has "B's" or "b's" (BBee, Bbee, or bbee) will be yellow.

The "e" gene does not prevent deposition of color in the nose or lips as it does in the coat. so, "BBee" and "Bbee" yellow Labs have Black noses and lips, while "bbee" yellow Labs have brown noses and lips.
In conclusion, if you are interested to know what color genes your Labrador Retriever carries. Then attaining a DNA Profile Test Kit from a breed registration service such as the AKC, UKC, OR CKC is a very simple, cost effective way to achieve the task of knowing what gene colors your Labrador Retriever carries.The AKC test kit is called a "DNA Profile Test Kit" which comes with a swab, sterile container, instructions, and label for the registration number of the Lab. The procedure is very simple just swab the inside of the lab's mouth aquiring saliva, then label the container and seal it with the swab enclosed inside the container.This DNA Profile test will help you to further utilize and enhance the breeding program in use. With this test you now have another valueble resource in managing coat colors.