If you’re looking for a dog that’s playful and energetic, you should definitely consider adopting a Labrador. These dogs are readily available and come in three stunning colors: chocolate, black, and yellow.
If you’re considering getting a Labrador, you might be wondering if there’s a difference between those three coats other than just the color. After all, this can make all the difference when you’re getting a dog for a specific task or job.
In this article, we’ll be comparing yellow Labs vs. black Labs, covering everything from physical appearance and genetic differences to their temperament and energy levels.
Yellow Lab vs. Black Lab
The history of these two variations of the wonderful Labrador is quite interesting in that it’s not at all the same.
Black Labradors came into existence decades before the first yellow Lab was ever born. That makes a bit of a difference between them, but not as much as some people would have you believe.
Let’s look at each aspect of these Labrador coats!
History
The exact beginning of this breed as a whole is a bit hard to pinpoint since it was often mixed up with the Newfoundland and St. John’s water dog.
The earliest mention of Labrador retrievers in history is believed to be in the early 1800s.
It wasn’t until 1899 that the first yellow lab was born in recorded history. Because of that, yellow Labradors were not all that popular until the 70s.
Genetic Differences
The first notable difference between yellow and black Labs is in their genes. If you’re not sure what makes a dog yellow, black, or brown, this section is for you.
Don’t worry; we won’t go into unnecessary detail, but understanding this will help you understand the difference and likelihood of a yellow Lab vs. a black one.
Genes consist of two parts called alleles. All genes are pairs of alleles that can be similar or different. Some alleles are dominant, and others are recessive. A dominant allele will overshadow a recessive one.
Black and brown coats are the same genes, while yellow is a different gene altogether, which comes in two alleles giving different shades of yellow. The black allele (B) is dominant while the yellow (E and e) and brown (b) are recessive.
Unless the dog gets the yellow (e) allele from both parents, it’s going to be black. That’s one of the biggest reasons why black Labs make up almost 50% of all registered Labradors.
Health
Fortunately for both of these coats, these different genes don’t make a measurable difference in the health and longevity of yellow or black Labs.
Both types of Labrador retrievers are hardy dogs with a median life expectancy of 12 years. Like most large pure breeds, however, they commonly suffer from some conditions such as skin and ear problems, obesity, and orthopedic issues.
In fact, all purebred Labradors lack a certain gene that contributes to energy regulation, which makes them predisposed to overeating and becoming obese, especially with old age.
Obesity, in turn, negatively affects the health of the dog’s bones, which is why both yellow and black Labradors are likely to get hip or elbow dysplasia.
Physical Appearance
Practically everything about yellow and black Labradors outside of the color of their fur is the same.
They have the same physical build, and they both have hazel eyes and black noses.
Temperament and Energy Level
Labrador owners were asked about their dogs’ personality traits and other things such as exercise and training.
In this study, researchers found the biggest factor in a Labrador’s personality is whether they were bred for working or conformation contests.
It also found that yellow Labradors are more likely to show aggression towards familiar dogs than black Labs.
Best Jobs for Black Labradors
Despite what the research suggests, black Labradors are believed to be a lot more trainable, energetic, and active than yellow Labradors.
This means that they’re the first choice for people who are interested in having a gundog or any other type of working dog.
Black dogs are famed to excel in fetching and agility. So, if you’re looking for a dog to help you hunt, fish, or compete in agility contests, this incredibly majestic color is probably for you.
Best Jobs for Yellow Labradors
On the flip side, yellow Labs are known to be more composed and laid back compared to black Labs. Whether that’s true or not is yet to be proven.
Nonetheless, yellow Labs have become one of the go-to breeds for service work, especially serving as an aid for the blind.
Yellow Labs can also make wonderful therapy and mobility dogs and are quite popular in these roles.
Conclusion
There’s a lot of debate online with people stating there’s no difference between yellow Labs and black Labs. They get caught up with whether the coat color has anything to do with them being healthier, more playful, or more intelligent than one another.
Thankfully, these two color Labs are equally healthy and trainable. Black Labs are incredibly popular as gundogs and agility champions, while yellow Labs are often with service and therapy dogs.
There are, however, a couple of small differences between black and yellow Labs that are worth noting. Black Labradors are believed to be more energetic, and yellow labs to be more aggressive towards some dogs.
That’s not to say that they’re not both incredibly trainable dogs to have. Labrador retriever is one of the most popular breeds around the world and the most popular breed in the US for the last 30 years. This is largely due to the fact that they’re super affectionate with humans and happy to help however they can.