is there such a thing as a "silver"lab??

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Answer by Anonomyous AKC Exhibitor
Submitted on 7/16/2004
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In regards to Patty's comment: genes will not mix as you have stated to create the silver color. Rather, it was introduced somewhere via breedings, most likely to weims. Silver labs may exist, just as the brindle Pug (Pugs are my breed and have been for 16 years) may exist, however, they are hardly Pure Bred and hardly rarities of the breed. Anyone selling them and trying to pass them off as Pure Bred is douping you. Anyone who has stated that 'genetic research has been done and has disproved the theory that the dog is impure' is flat out lieing. The genetic research that has been conducted can only determine if Dog C is the result of Dogs A and B being bred, NOT if Dogs A or B have another breed somewhere in their background. We have this same issue in the Pugs and I find it to be rather ridiculous.

Answer by owner of a silver lab
Submitted on 9/13/2004
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I like how some of you feel we are "lieing" when we talk about the silver lab as not being a breed. You are lieing to yourself! The silver lab is a breed and I was surprised by the AKC exhibitors response. The AKC use to recognize the silver lab until the black and yellow greedy breeders got irate and put up a fight as to make sure that they got all the money from there blood lines. As for some of you that don't realize this, the chocolate and yellow labs were not considered full blooded labs until the 1900s. Only black labs existed. And it wasn't that long ago that chocolate labs came into the AKC. The greedy yellow and black lab breeders put up a fight about them as well. So as you can see all this huffing and "lieing" is due to greedy breeders. The silver lab is pure bred through a known gene and bloodline. The chocolate lab has the gene. And by the way they make great companions so none of this should really matter!!!

Answer by owner of a silver lab
Submitted on 9/13/2004
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I like how some of you feel we are "lieing" when we talk about the silver lab as not being a breed. You are lieing to yourself! The silver lab is a breed and I was surprised by the AKC exhibitors response. The AKC use to recognize the silver lab until the black and yellow greedy breeders got irate and put up a fight as to make sure that they got all the money from there blood lines. As for some of you that don't realize this, the chocolate and yellow labs were not considered full blooded labs until the 1900s. Only black labs existed. And it wasn't that long ago that chocolate labs came into the AKC. The greedy yellow and black lab breeders put up a fight about them as well. So as you can see all this huffing and "lieing" is due to greedy breeders. The silver lab is pure bred through a known gene and bloodline. The chocolate lab has the gene. And by the way they make great companions so none of this should really matter!!!

Answer by shedevil
Submitted on 10/24/2004
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yes there is such thing as brindle pugs, whether or not they are pure bred is in question, it is like asking if someone is really dutch, one of there parents might have indian behind them but they still call themselves dutch. most dogs nowadays are called purebred, but if you put purebred in a paper and cant provide papers its called false advertising. so yes to pugs may have produced a different color, just like a black person and a white person produce a dark skinned white, does this mean the person is not human, so what is this world coming too. if a dog has pug qualities from tail to nose id say its a pug, i mean if it had long ears like a rabbit, looks like a rabbit and smells like a rabbit is it not a rabbit?

Answer by white.lab.owner
Submitted on 11/8/2004
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Patty is an idiot. If you breed a yellow lab with a black lab, the colors will not mix as though a black man and a white woman can make a high yellow (or light brown) baby. With labs, it depends on the genotype of the dog, what the dominant and recessive genes are, and parentage of those two. A black lab bred with a Yellow lab could produce all black puppies, 1/2 black 1/2 yellow, and many other combinations (some that even include chocolates). John is right... there are no rules in developing new breeds or new colors. This is exactly how breeds are discovered, improved, or both. Silver is not a recognized color, however it is possible that a gray or silver lab could be considered in the spectrum of the recognized colors, mainly depending on the color of his nose: Blacks almost always have black noses, where chocolates almost always have liver colored noses. A dog's bloodline determines whether or not it is a Labrador. It's color is determined by it's actual color. A Chocolate type IX bred with a Black type II or type IV will have 1/4 of the puppies Yellow; whether this puppy is white, yellow, or red... he is Yellow, and definitely not Black or Chocolate. Do your research before expressing your ignorance.

Answer by Professor D.
Submitted on 1/2/2006
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Anyone who doubts the Silver Lab breed really needs to educate themselves on the Labrador breed. Studies have been done on these dogs showing proof all the way back to the wolf. For all you non-believers, you are WRONG! Silver Labs are pure bred. If you look at the opponents of Silver Labs, chances are these people are trying to protect their investment in their yellow, or black labs. Opponents of Silver Labs have been unable to prove their ridiculous accusations through genetic research which show the depth of their ignorance and the shallowness of their credibility. For all you Silver Lab critics, please quit waisting our time and do some research.

Answer by Jay
Submitted on 1/20/2006
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I have raised labs for 11 years now. I have a Chocolate, White, Black, and a silver... They are all very well trained and hunted labs. I use all of them as working dogs being an avid duck hunter. All of these dogs are exceptional. They are extremely intelligent and loyal animals. As far as the question of purity of the silver labs. The following is AKC'sstance on them... "In 1987 we conducted an inquiry into the breeding of the litters that contained the dogs that were registered as silver and one of our representatives was sent to observe several of the dogs that had been registered as silver. Color photographs of these dogs were forwarded to the office of the American Kennel Club where the staff of the AKC and the representative of the Labrador Retriever Club of America examined them. Both parties were satisfied that there was no reason to doubt that the dogs were purebred Labrador Retrievers, however both parties felt that the dogs were incorrectly registered as silver. Since the breed standard describes chocolate as ranging in shade from Sedge to Chocolate, it was felt that the dogs could more accurately be described as chocolate than as silver." Written by Robert Young of the AKC 3/27/00

Answer by MOPAR_MARK
Submitted on 3/14/2006
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Silver Labs are indeed line mixes between Weimaraners and labradors. Not only are they not AKC standard, from a health stance, these dogs are 50% more likely to have degenerative hip problems. The fact that people are selling these dogs at the $1K mark and above just proves the desire for a look rather than a healthy animal. I have seen more 5 year old Labs put down due to hip problems than any other species. I understand when nature takes over and two different breeds are mixed, but lets not try to cause degenerative failures. Its not fair to the new owners, and definitely not fair to the poor animal. And remember Gold mixed with Silver isn't worth as much as pure Gold. Mark in Wisconsin.

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Question by berg
Submitted on 9/12/2003
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Labrador Retrievers Breed-FAQ
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is there such a thing as a "silver"lab??

Answer by dana
Submitted on 9/30/2003
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yes there is,they are beautiful dogs.

Answer by jack
Submitted on 10/27/2003
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There is a photo imaging company in new york called silver lab.http://www.silverlab.com/eng/welcome.htm

Answer by labmomma
Submitted on 10/31/2003
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THEY ARE THE BEST AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL!! I OWN ONE...and he ownes me!!!

Answer by Dr. DVM
Submitted on 11/14/2003
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Unquestionably silver labs are real and pure lab.

Answer by jello
Submitted on 3/24/2004
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I believe the "silver" are not actually silver. They are dilute black labs. Just the same as "fox red" labs are darker yellows. The only true color variations are yellow, black and chocolate. I know this for sure. Ex: Yellow labs can be as light as "white" or deeper colored like strawberry blond, that's all. So, in truth, you have a black lab.

Answer by Pavilion Labradors
Submitted on 3/29/2004
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"Silver Labs" are a farce. Very poorly bred mixed breeds, being mill-bred and sold for mucho money by completely irresponsible, unscrupulous "breeders".

Answer by patty
Submitted on 6/13/2004
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I do believe you can have silver labs,,, BUT they are not a special of a breed.. to get silver one must breed a white or yellow as i would call it to a black,, and you get a dirty or grayish lab coated pup,,, WE all need to stay with what GOD gave us and tend not to mix these precious animals,, yellow, black and chocolates are whats intended,,, please play by the rules,

Answer by john
Submitted on 6/13/2004
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in response to patty's comment: all domestic dogs are the result of "mixing precious animals". GOD didn't give us any of them. and where are these blessed rules listed that you insist should be played by? who says there should only be 3 types of labs, did i miss that in the bible? spare this forum of your uneducated opinions

Answer by silver labs
Submitted on 10/12/2004
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i think thare is such a thing. i am gitting one.

Answer by jagerbomb
Submitted on 1/19/2005
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I believe this site answers your question best. http://www.labbies.com/silver.htm Note to Anonymous above: v. lied, ly�ing, (lng) lies v. intr. To present false information with the intention of deceiving. Definitely not spelled l i e i n g

Answer by Brittany
Submitted on 2/10/2005
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I am a lab breeder and I have 2 black labs that I breed together and they just had silver, white, yellow, chocolate and red puppies.

Answer by clennep
Submitted on 2/17/2005
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If anyone would like to read anything about silver labs, I have found some interesting sites. http://www.labbies.com/silver.htm http://www.silverlabs.com/controversy.htm One thing I do know is that you can't just breed a yellow and a Black to get silver. It just doesn't work like that. Check out the sites and read about it.

Answer by K9Trainer5
Submitted on 3/2/2005
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No, there is no such thing a "silver" Labrador retriever. Please see: http://www.labbies.com/silver.htm For more details. There are three recognized coat colors: Yellow, black and chocolate. A truly purebred dog that someone is telling you is silver is really registered as a chocolate, no matter what color you would call it. A dog which doesn't have papers (for ANY reason) which is being touted as a silver lab is probably a cross between a Weimeraner and a Labrador. Please do not fall for this myth. Someone is just trying to get you to pay an exorbitant amount of money for a dog that is probably not worth it.

Answer by Labchick
Submitted on 3/25/2005
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Ok this is in regards to anyone who thinks silver labs are not real labs or mixed. Silver Labs come from chocolate labs not all labs can have them. It is a rare gene that chocolate labs have that allow them to have silver.. YELLOW LABS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. And with the whole god comment.. you should look back into lab history and find out where they came.....

Answer by Yay! me!
Submitted on 10/21/2005
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Nevermind I found a picture of one. Dude there so cool! (\/) ( ..) C(")(") Its a bunny although I dont like them that much. LOL

Answer by k8
Submitted on 4/9/2005
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there is no such thing as a silver lab they are a shade of chocolate trust me

Answer by Kelly
Submitted on 4/28/2005
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Who cares,they are beautiful dogs and if you want to pay your money for it then who cares what everyone has to say. Everyone has an opinion and it is just that there opinion

Answer by LAB HATER
Submitted on 5/10/2005
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ALL LABS SUK!!

Answer by AKC???????????????
Submitted on 6/25/2005
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What does it matter, all dogs have been cross bred to produce the diffrent breeds of today. People that are so worried about a "PURE BREED" are most after bragging rights. Be original dont incourage breed there are already to many homeless pets. The AKC is a poor at best if someone says they have an AKC dog that is a joke. Germany still has some good regulators go there if your so worried about breeds.

Answer by colors
Submitted on 9/13/2005
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Why do you think a weim, has to be mixed in to get silver? I breed Chihuahuas and to get a blue or silver its a dilute black! just as someone else said, and I also agree yellow can be as diluted to look white, none are right or wrong and all are Labs! No one is messing with mother nature, in the wild the black lab wouldn't care if his mate is black too.

Answer by becca
Submitted on 10/5/2005
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i want to own one but at an young age like weeks old but I'm in england any1 help?

Answer by Wader
Submitted on 1/28/2006
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I have owned both weimeraners and labrador retrievers. Love em both and why not have the best of both worlds? Just call a spade a spade and sell them as such. We will ask the particular breeder we are dealing with and see which side of the fence they are on.

Answer by Money up front
Submitted on 1/29/2006
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If all these experts are so sure Silver Labs are fake (or mixed breeds), why don't they put their money where their mouths are and take the "Silver Lab Challenge"? The prize is $100 K. Surely these experts (who are so certain of their facts) can't possibly be afraid of losing. Or is the truth that these experts are just hot air?

Answer by Bri
Submitted on 2/8/2006
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I think that its stupid of anyone to say that there should only be 3 colors of labs. Its just like saying that there should only be humans that should only have black, blonde and brown hair. Which we obviously have all types of hair colors! Just like labs do! And I think that the silvers are rare because you can't find them everywhere. They are a very special color lab! I have 2 and they are great!

Answer by Anonymus
Submitted on 2/24/2006
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Yeah, they exist. No one knows (or ever will know probably) where the color came from... but judging by the only "breeder" of silvers I was able to find, you don't want one. They ADVERTISE that their dogs are 20+ pounds over standard (can you say "dysplasia"?), sell their pups without directly talking to you ("just click here to reserve one by paypal"), and intentionally breed for a color that (however naturally occuring or pretty) is a DISQUALIFICATION in every Labrador standard in the world. So yeah. They "exist" but wouldn't a normal lab or (if you love the color) a weimeraner do?

Answer by ty
Submitted on 4/17/2006
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silver labs are not from weims.it is impossible to mix a lab and weim and make it silver.silver labs are actually saige and they come from a choclate the silver is just a very light choclate and the correct way to clasify it is to call it choclate. the silver lab is a flaw they use to sell for real cheap our even give them away just like the choclates in the early 1900s.not any more silver is now the most expensive

Answer by beck
Submitted on 5/23/2006
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you are all stupid...silvers are a variation of chocolate and are pure bred. if you don't believe me look at what AKC has said. and PAtty. you are giving christians bad names. labs are labs breeding color aint wrong

Answer by Cabochick
Submitted on 5/28/2006
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Does it really matter if silver is a "legitimate" colour for labradors? Demand is driven by consumer trends...think about it and read up on the history of the 'liver' coloured lab. It is a controversy now but in the future...who will win or even care to remember? In the end, the left wingers with their 'traditional opinions' will be left behind...looking silly...you can't stop consumerism. Just keep them healthy and breed smart. Cheers!

Answer by BaldNuts
Submitted on 6/16/2006
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You are all wrong. Silver Labs are AKC Chocolate labs. The silver coat is a recessive gene.

Answer by Daddy War Bucks
Submitted on 8/10/2006
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Anyone who thinks they can prove "Silver Labs" are not pure labs can get $100 K. They just have to put their $$ where their mouth is. So far all the "experts " are all mouth and no $$/

Answer by thom
Submitted on 10/11/2006
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This is the retoric I've been reading for some time now from so many anonomyous akc breeders. Prove they are a weim mix. You cannot! As far as the AKC is concerned they are pure breads. Breading history is documented. Until I see hard evidence this is nothing more than theories and speculation.

Answer by dizzuh
Submitted on 12/2/2006
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Maybe you should look at the AKC website they have a lot of useful information on what they believe about silver labs

Answer by Mary
Submitted on 12/14/2006
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Silver labs are not rare, but the result of irresponsible breeding (even though they ARE pure-bred labs), just like white dobermans and great danes (which I breed). The silver color occurs when both parents have a gene that causes the (silver) defect. It is in fact a DEFECT, meaning it is not a "good thing" and actually causes other disorders like skin allergies or sensitivity to sunlight. Labs with this gene should not be bred, to prevent passing the gene on to its offspring. The gene likely developed from inbreeding in the early development of the breed to pass down certain characteristics.

Answer by Mairiah
Submitted on 2/26/2007
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Yes, there is and they are beautiful dogs and they retrieve just like any other labrador. I think that what Patty said was not correct. There is such thing as a silver lab just google it. A lab is still a lab no matter what the color of the coat is. Dogs have complex genes like us they can mix certian genes to make a different coat color. So in simple words of course there is a SILVER LAB.

Answer by anonymous
Submitted on 3/7/2007
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in response to patty...you're a big fat ignorant racist aren't you? we are all god's creatures and we are all loveable. love, all living creatures everywhere!