White vs Yellow Lab – Facts You Need To Know

Over 28 years later, labs still reign as the top dog breed in the US. The breed is familiar to many dog lovers, which is no surprise. It’s no wonder why. Some Facts You Need To Know About White vs Yellow Lab.

Friendly, loyal, and calm temperaments ensure their popularity with dog lovers everywhere.

For these reasons, labs occur frequently chosen by families who wish to add a pet to their family. When you decide on picking a labrador as the new member of your family, it can be challenging to decide between the two colors “White and Yellow” as they both have their own charming features that make them the perfect addition to any family.

And yes, you are right. In some sense, their color reflects their role. Lab lovers often talk about two colors (white and yellow) that occur highly valued for their close resemblance, distinctiveness, and many other qualities.

Thus, for the purpose of simplifying things for labrador lovers everywhere, in today’s article, I’ve put together a comprehensive “White Lab vs Yellow Lab” guide filled with insightful facts about the two colors. Have fun reading!

White vs Yellow Lab

White LabradorYellow Labrador
Life Span – 10 to 14 years.Life Span – 10 to 14 years.
Bathing – Need frequent baths because of a white shiny coat.Care Required – Don’t need frequent baths as compared to white labradors. 
Swimming – Loves to swim.Swimming – Loves to swim.

Yellow Labrador

The innate ability to please and high intellectual capacity of labradors make them extremely valuable for a variety of tasks, including:

  • Bomb detection
  • Rescue or drug
  • Therapeutic assistance
  • Assistance for disabled persons.

While there are numerous shades of labradors to choose from, the AKC recognizes just three of them.

Following lab colors known by the American Kennel Club.

  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Chocolate

The public may familiar with seeing yellow labs, however, a dog’s color is not indicative of his or her personality. In today’s society, every lab has the potential to make a positive contribution.

It’s hard to imagine, but early in the history of the labrador, at the beginning of the 19th century, black labrador pups dominated the breeding program.

While on the other hand, yellow labs were considered less desirable dogs and were frequently culled, which significantly reduced their numbers. 

Fortunately, with the passage of time, yellow labs gained popularity, and their numbers grew.

Nowadays, yellow labs enjoy widespread popularity as pet companions, as well as being featured in films and television shows, in part due to their attractiveness and popularity. Yellow labs betide also highly sought-after by professionals as working dogs.

Known for their versatility, yellow labradors can perform many different roles, the most notable of which is their role as service dogs.

However, these dogs have a calm disposition, are easy to train, and are loving in nature. So choosing White vs Yellow Lab can be tricky.

In dog shows all over the world, yellow labradors are common. They make wonderful pets, as well as excellent companions, provided they receive the proper amount of exercise.

English Yellow Labradors

The yellow color has been a trademark of arguably the most successful and well-known show labs. Also commonly referred to as English Labs.

An English Labrador is the name given to labradors with bulkier bodies that betide more commonly found in show rings in the United States. Hunting-bred Labradors betide known as American Labradors.

However, the weight and body shape of the breeds are quite different. They also have a slightly different temperament. For example, American labs are usually calmer and less energetic.

White Labrador

White labradors share the same affectionate nature and pleasing personalities as their counterparts in the family of labrador retrievers. As a new pet owner, it is easy to mistake your pet’s calm behavior for laziness.

The white labrador, however, possesses great athletic ability and must be exercised regularly. They are extremely energetic, eager to play and run around and explore.

A white labrador retriever may need bathing more frequently based on the conditions they are in and the amount of time they spend outside. Keeping their lustrous white coat in good condition is imperative.

Undoubtedly, yellow tones are present in their fur, especially around their ears. One could say that white labs are paler versions of yellow labs.

Typically, albinos and white dogs have pale coats. Most pet owners, however, consider albino labs undesirable due to their health complications.

Albinism vs. White Coats

There are those who, when considering white labs, wonder about their connection to an albino dog. Having albinism means having a condition that is characterized by red eyes, white fur, and pink noses. Health problems can follow, such as cancer risk and neurological disorders.

While white labs share some coat colors with albino dogs relax, the two dogs are not the same.

The Right Way To Differentiate

A simple method for differentiating or determining whether your dog has albinism is by looking at the nose and skin surrounding their eyes. Dogs with white coats and pink noses and skin are most likely albino.

Color Inheritance In Labrador Retrievers

It’s no secret, labradors come in three distinct colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. Yet, a considerable number of people are unaware of the different shades of coats.

For instance, it is possible for a black labrador to go from black jet-black labrador or jet-black to hints of gray.

In some cases, it extends beyond the realm of chance. A labrador retriever’s genetic line can change into two, which are as follows.

  1. American labs – are working dogs.
  2. English labs – are show dogs.

Despite being members of the same breed, they have different physical characteristics, making them suitable for different tasks. 

Why I am sharing all of this with you. Well, that’s because we believe that being aware of these details will greatly assist you in determining what is best for you.

White Labrador vs. Yellow Labrador: Differences

How white labs breeds is what distinguishes them from yellow labs. The yellow labrador breed has been selectively bred for centuries, whereas white labradors have been bred primarily to produce a lighter coloration.

White labrador also produced by breeding this breed with an albino pup.  

There is a common belief that labradors of varying colors possess distinctive personalities. For example, yellow labradors also thought to be lazy while a black labrador is an excellent hunter. Likewise, chocolate labradors are known for their active nature.

It is important to note that none of these claims have been proven scientifically. Thus, it stands to reason that dog personalities have nothing to do with their coat colors.

The general consensus is that this type of dog isn’t very different in personality from yellow labs.

White Labrador vs. Yellow Labrador: Similarities

They do have one thing in common, though: the white lab and yellow lab have considerably the same color coat. They are the same color except when one is albino.

There will always be a touch of yellow on the body of a white labrador. Both kinds have black noses, eyes, and paws, as well as friendly dispositions.

For both dogs to be healthy and happy, physical activity and mental stimulation are necessary.

So no matter what the color of your Labrador’s coat is, make sure you give it plenty of space to run and walk.

Which One Is The Best Fit For Your Home?

Choosing a labrador for yourself depends heavily on your personal preferences. In my opinion, and you’ll hear me say it quite often, labradors are all the same and a joy to have.

Nothing matters as long as it’s a purebred lab puppy. It doesn’t matter what color it is. 

Genetic factors do not influence a lab’s personality or abilities. The amount of love, effort, discipline, and time spent on your pup – is what makes your pup who he is.

You can win his loyalty and trust by giving him love and attention.

You can raise a healthy, happy dog by feeding and exercising it properly.

By ensuring that your pup has training opportunities, you can help the pup become more capable and skilled.

After all, the best labrador for you is the one that loves you.

FAQs

Question 1: Are white labs recognized by the American Kennel Club?

Answer: White labrador retrievers are considered yellow labs by AKC. Along with their characteristic white coats, white labs are known for having dark eyes and black noses. Even though they are called “white dogs,” they still have some yellow and cream spots in their fur, notably around their ears.

Question 2: What makes white labs so expensive?

Answer: Due to their rarity and popularity, white labradors are expensive.

Question 3: Is it true that yellow labs become darker as they age?

Answer: Age doesn’t affect the color of yellow labs. These dogs tend to become lighter as they age.  During their puppyhood, yellow is more prominent. Typically, their coats become lighter as they get older.

Authored By

John Lab

Related Articles


Deprecated: Function get_page_by_title is deprecated since version 6.2.0! Use WP_Query instead. in /home/puplore/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6031