Silver Lab: What to Know About This Awesome Retriever

 Silver Labs are just like any other type of Labrador - loving, smart, and energetic! Of course, there is a big difference; they have a striking coat color.

Their silver-gray blue coat means they stand out from the usual lab crowd.

Coat color is caused by two recessive genes that have recently appeared in the Labrador gene pool. Its pedigree status is a hot debate.

No matter how you feel about the pedigree status of the breed, these dogs are beautiful and would make a lovely pet for anyone.

In this article we discuss everything you need to know about Silver Labs, including how they get their beautiful color, how much puppies cost, and much more ...

What is a Silver Lab? (Overview)

Many people think that there are only three types of Labrador Retrievers: black, yellow, and chocolate. However, there are more colour variations. A silver labrador has a silvery greyish-blue coat.

Read also: Labrador Corso Dog Breed Facts and Information

They are recognized as pedigree by the American Kennel Club, but they are listed as Chocolate Labs (more on that later). Due to the controversy over their pedigree, they cannot be show dogs, but they can be working dogs like their ancestors were bred to be.

Some people argue that they shouldn't be described as a pedigree Lab. Silver Labs came out of nowhere when they were first raised in the 1950s. This led people to think that they were the result of exogamy with the Weimaraners. This is not the case, although these days Lab mixes are very common.

Labradors were originally bred to work primarily as hunting dogs. Today they are used for a wide variety of tasks, including service animals, show dogs, hunting dogs, obedience dogs, and sniffer dogs.

Because they were bred to work, they are a high-energy breed, so they will need an hour of exercise each day. They are not limited to walking, once fully grown they can make great running partners!

Silver Lab appearance

Aside from its coat color, Silver Lab is the same as any other Labrador.

They are broad throughout their skull, chest, and hindquarters, with drooping ears and a thick tail.

Their fur is short, dense, smooth, and resistant, with a striking silver-gray-blue color that gives them their name. They are double-coated, which means they shed quite a bit, especially during spring and fall.

Now and then you will see him with blue eyes - this is very rare and very beautiful.

Height and weight

As an adult, you can expect them to weigh between 55 and 80 pounds and be between 21 and 24 inches tall.

The females will be slightly smaller than the males, but not so noticeably. Labradors tend to be a bit overweight, so be sure to keep an eye on their diet (more on that later).

Why is it silver?

The Silver Labs coat can vary between shades of silver, gray and blue. This variation comes from the fact that their coat is a dilution of the usual chocolate color.

This color is caused by the appearance of two recessive genes instead of the usual dominant-dominant or dominant-recessive combinations. The recessive gene is called the 'dilution gene' because it dilutes the color of the dog's coat.

For example, Chocolate Labs usually have a pure brown color. If a chocolate lab has two recessive genes, this dilutes the normally solid color into a lighter version. This produces a Silver Lab. Diluted black labs are called charcoal labs and yellow labs are called champagne labs.

Coat

Labrador coats are straight, dense, and tough. They have double coats that are great for keeping them warm in any weather. They are also great in water as the double coat helps insulate them.

Silver Lab Temperament

His temperament will be the same as any other Labrador. They are friendly, affectionate, playful, and intelligent dogs.

You can expect them to be playful and love to interact with you, your family, and your friends. They can be very silly at times and will make everyone laugh at their antics.

The Silver Lab is not a particularly vocal breed but has been known to bark if bored. If they have nothing to do, they will quickly get bored. The mischievous pup will quickly resort to finding his ways to entertain himself, which will often involve chewing on things you probably don't want to chew on.

 Make sure to entertain them and don't leave them alone all day.

These dogs do not like to be left for long hours at work and would rather be with someone. They are not particular about who it is as they generally love everyone!

Dog daycare is a great option if you have to be away from home for a long time. They will enjoy being with the other dogs and going out of the house.

They are excellent with all people, children included, as long as they are properly socialized from a young age. They also have no problems with other dogs or other animals.

Labradors are great eaters. They will manage to find food pretty much anywhere, so be sure to put the food out of their reach!

Together these dogs are simply fantastic. They are full of love and affection for absolutely everyone and it will be a pleasure to have them at home.

Is a Silver Lab a good family dog?

Silver Labs, like any other Lab, make wonderful and rewarding family pets. They are very patient with children of all ages if they are socialized from an early age.

How to train

The best way to train not just labs, but any dog, is through positive reinforcement. This means that correct behavior is rewarded with treats, toys, or love. His favorite reward will be treated due to his huge appetite.

Labradors are very smart, so they will enjoy training sessions. Consistency and repetition are the most important elements for any successful training.

Due to their high levels of intelligence, they can get bored quite easily. Training them provides a lot of mental stimulation to keep them busy.

In addition to the rewards, you can use toys, especially those that are good to chew on.

A good game to keep your dog busy is searching. This can be played on walks in safe areas or back gardens. It allows them to burn a lot of energy with minimal work on your part. If your dog is off-leash, make sure he remembers well to avoid difficult situations.

Labradors are naturally friendly dogs. They love being around humans, so be sure to introduce them to lots of people when they're young. Socialization with other dogs is also important. Puppy parties are a great way to socialize any young dog.

Caring for a Silver Lab

Labradors need a fair amount of grooming, but it's worth it for these adorable dogs.

They will need about an hour of exercise a day. This can be in the form of two half-hour walks or a variety of other activities. They also need regular training sessions, especially when they are young. Time to socialize with other dogs is also important (dog parks are perfect for this).

Its grooming requirements are pretty simple. They need to brush twice a week to keep their coat healthy. These dogs are best suited to a person or family that has a fenced-in backyard and plenty of time to play, exercise, and cuddle them.

Laboratories need all the usual care, such as regular nail trimming, antiparasitic treatments, and flea treatments. They will also need regular dental cleaning.

This can be done with a finger toothbrush or dental chews that have proven equally good.

Labs also love swimming, which can make them prone to ear infections, so be sure to keep your ears clean.

Exercise requirements

Labradors are high-energy dogs, which means they will need about an hour of walking a day, preferably in two sessions.

Having a fenced-in backyard will also be a huge benefit, as it means they will have room to play outside all the time. These dogs would not do well in an apartment.

They are very intelligent so training them with memory should be easy. This means that you can walk with them without a leash. This is perfect for Labradors as they love to run and explore new places.

What Labradors love the most is water.

Anybody of water is great for the lab and mud is just an added benefit!

They will enjoy any type of exercise you want to do with them. Whether it's racing or agility training, your lab will be a great fitness companion.

Grooming and moving out

Silver Labs sheds a good amount throughout the year thanks to its double coat. This is especially true in spring and fall (the shedding seasons).

This means that they will need regular brushing at least twice a week to maintain a healthy coat, possibly more during shedding seasons. It will be necessary to invest in a good quality brush and vacuum with these dogs.

It will also be beneficial for your dog to be professionally groomed occasionally. This keeps your skin healthy and reduces shedding. There are no specific coat cuts for Labradors, but it is generally kept short throughout.

Food and Diet

Labradors are medium-sized dogs, so they will need to be fed about a quarter cup of high-quality dry food twice a day.

This can also be mixed with high-quality wet food to form a balanced diet.

When buying dog food, the food must be high in protein, as 25% of a dog's diet should consist of protein.

 

Ideally, you should also avoid foods that contain colorants, extracted fats, and corn or wheat gluten.

However, remember that they are prone to obesity, so try not to give them too many snacks.

Known health issues

Silver Labs will suffer from the same health problems experienced by other labs. These are hip and elbow dysplasia. and eye problems. If you get a puppy from a breeder, you should always ask for his hip and elbow scores.

You should also have an eye exam. In general, Labradors are generally quite healthy dogs.

Also, due to its unusual coat, it can be prone to a specific type of alopecia called color dilution alopecia.

 This is not fatal, but it does mean that their fur can shed in patches when they are young. They could also have recurring infections in the hair follicles.

How long do Silver Labs live?

A healthy Silver Labs will live 10-14 years.

Buyers guide

Whenever you buy a puppy, the most important thing you can do is find a reputable breeder. He is someone who breeds responsibly and has a history of healthy, well-documented puppies.

As they are quite a rare breed, this can be quite a difficult task, but it is possible.

Some breeders have Silver Lab puppies that are fully health screened. However, you may be put on a waiting list as this breed is growing in popularity.

When you meet the puppies, make sure you can interact with the parents or at least the mother. This will help you see what temperament and personality the puppies may have inherited.

Since Silver Lab is certified by the American Kennel Club, be sure to request documentation from the breeder.

 Remember, they will appear as Chocolate Labs

A good breeder will ask you many questions about your home life to get a good idea of ​​where your puppies will go. Be sure to ask a lot of questions yourself, as the breeder will be a great source of information on individual puppies and their general care.

How much do Silver Lab puppies cost?

They are quite a rare breed and that is why they are quite expensive. Buying a Silver Lab puppy will cost you around $ 1,200.

Make sure you don't buy cheaper puppies as you are probably supporting bad breeding or puppy mills. You may not get a real pedigree lab either.

Fast Breeds Summary Table

Breed characteristics

Size: 21 to 24 inches tall

Weight: 55-80 pounds

Life expectancy: 10-14 years

Coat: Medium, smooth, dense, and double coat

Colour: Silver-gray-blue

Do they spill: Yes, they have double coats so they move all year round but more in spring and fall

Temperament: Extremely kind, loving, playful, and energetic.

Intelligence: Very smart and trainable

Socialization: Great with other dogs and other pets.

Destructive behavior: Prone to chewing if bored

People skills: Love everyone

Good with children: Great with children and very patient.

Activity levels: High activity levels require at least an hour of exercise every day.