Posts Tagged ‘Black’
Looking for ideas for Labrador Retriever names? Lets face it, this breed is one, if not THE most popular dog breed in the world. And because of this it deserves a name that’s as special as the dog itself.
Sure, you could come up with any dog name, but why not try to find a name that actually fits? A name that reflects this dogs intelligence, sociable nature, or even it’s physical characteristics like it’s color.
Since we believe that special dogs deserve special names, when coming up with the Labrador Retriever dog names shown below, we chose 3 lab name categories that we felt would help you to think a bit out of the box when it comes to selecting the best Labrador Retriever names. These categories areâ¦
General Lab Namesâ¦
These general names were chosen and suggested simply because we felt they would sound good on a lab. We didn’t feel that just any dog name would fit this particular breed. As an example, Fifi would be a great Poodle name, but not on a lab. Here’s a few dog name suggestions that we thought might be a good matchâ¦
Cassidy: This name has a friendly, easy going sound to it, and it seems to be a good match with this breeds temperament.
Charisma: Somebody who has charisma is someone with personal magnetism. If you’ve noticed that your lab is drawing a lot of attention, then the name Charisma might be an appropriate match.
Fetch: A good name match for a dog thatâs a Retriever.
Jazz: A smooth and cool sounding name, and one that might appeal to a music loving owner.
Ricochet: For the lab thatâs all over the place!
Other General Lab Name Ideasâ¦
Amanda, Bailey, Bandanna, Boone, Cabo, Caboodle, Cha-Cha, Chelsea, Cheyenne, Cody, Denali, Hailey, Kahuna, Maui, Rio, Sierra, Tango, Tiara
Black or Chocolate Lab Namesâ¦
Should you be the proud owner of a Retriever whose color is black or chocolate, here’s some name suggestions and a list of names that might be a good fit for it’s dark colorâ¦
Java: For an energetic black lab that doesn’t need caffeine.
Kahlua: A good match for a chocolate lab whose owner is fond of either this famous drink, or Hawaii from where it originates, or both!
Panther: For the lab that’s as stealthy and sleek as a black panther.
Sable: Named after the highly valued black sable fur, the lab given this name should be one that carries itself well and that knows its special.
Other Black Or Chocolate Lab Name Ideasâ¦
Aurora, Coco, Ebony, Eightball, Espresso, Hoodlum, Luna, Midnight, Nighthawk, Phantom, Raven, Salem, Shadow, Star, Storm, Taboo
Yellow Lab Namesâ¦
Blondes have more fun! So giving your yellow lab a name that highlights its beautiful coloration will make it stand paws above the rest. Here’s a few naming suggestions and a list of names after things that are bright or yellowâ¦
Butter: Don’t laugh, but I encountered a yellow lab recently who owned this very memorable and unique name. I’ll never forget having met Butter!
Marilyn: For the blonde lab whose owner is a Marilyn Monroe fan. This sultry pooch draws the attention of everyone as it enters the room one hip at a time!
Sundance: This energetic dog brightens everyone’s day.
Other Yellow Lab Name Ideasâ¦
Amber, Autumn, Blondie, Chiquita, Daisy, Ember, Garbo, Goldie, Harlow, Meadow, Omelet, Paris, Sandy, Sahara, Savanna, Sunny, Zsa Zsa
When looking for Labrador Retriever Names, they’re easy to find when you consider your labs temperament and physical characteristics when choosing a name. If you take care to choose the right one, not only will your dog appreciate it, but he will also attract more attentionâ¦thus more petting, playing and treats!
When Richard Livitski isn’t busy digging up Labrador Retriever Names, he’s working on his dog names website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names and puppy names in all shapes and sizes can be found.
Regardless of what kind of dog you are looking for you may want to consider a lab mix puppy. The only type of dog that really does not work for a lab mix puppy are dogs from the toy category. In general these dogs are desirable because of their small size, but when you mix them with a Labrador they will no longer retain that tiny size. However, just about every other class of dog will work in for a lab mix puppy.
Black Dog Omen
Black dog syndrome is used by people who work or volunteer in animal shelters. For some reason, all black dogs, even purebred black Labrador Retrievers are almost always passed over in favor of other colored dogs. Any other color dog does better – even if they are the same breed. This also happens to black Labrador Retrievers, especially in shelters. A golden, yellow, white or chocolate Labrador Retriever will almost always be picked over black Labrador Retrievers.
Superstition
Although we claim to not believe in superstitions, our subconscious proves we do. Quite often, we pass over anything black because of the negative bias towards the color black. The only things that seem to escape this bias are diamonds and horses. However, there are a lot of myths, legends and stories about black dogs being somehow bad. One of these is that vampires can change into black wolves – or black dogs (even black Labrador Retrievers).
Probably the most famous bad black dog was the Hound of the Baskervilles, which went after the legendary Sherlock Holmes. Many scholars and psychologists think the reason why the Hound of the Baskervilles is so famous is because a large black dog fits our subconscious idea of what an evil creature looks like, even a dog with floppy ears like a black Labrador Retriever.
Hecate And Paganism
In some pre-Christian pagan religions, black dogs were seen as sacred. One of the most powerful and respected Goddesses (still worshipped by modern day Pagans) is Hecate (or Hekate), known as the Goddess of Witches. One of her symbols was the black dog. It was said that She could appear to people in the form of either a black snake, a black mare or a black dog.
Whenever Christianity overtook paganism, anything associated with the old Deities was immediately demonized. This is probably what happened to all black dogs, even in this modern day and age, causing the black dog syndrome seen today in pet rescues and animal shelters.
A Good Dog Is Never A Bad Color
If you are considering adopting a dog (and good for you), then please be sure to take a second look at all of the black dogs in the shelter. Perhaps they will look ordinary, but that’s only on the outside. If you specifically want to adopt a Labrador Retriever, be sure to tell the breed rescue or animal shelter that you would accept a black Labrador Retriever. You will certainly gain not only the shelter worker’s respect, but the friend of a lifetime.
Ola Norrman the author of black-dog-syndrome-even-for black-labrador-retrievers has in his site the mission to tell you all about Labrador Retrievers and the black color of the dog as a bad omen. Read about the interesting History of black magic and omens. Read about the Black Dog Syndrome Even For Black Labrador Retrievers.
Posted in Labrador Retriever Dogs | 
Tags: Black, Even, Labrador, Retrievers, Syndrome | 
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There you were, walking innocently through the mall, when you decide to go into the pet shop. Actually, your children make the decision, clamoring to get a puppy.
Among the roly-poly puppies is an energetic little black and white dog. Unsure what it is, you look at the card in the window. “Black Labrador Retriever” it reads. Surprised, you ask a clerk about the puppy, and are assured that it is indeed a purebred black Labrador. Purebred? Can black and white Lab puppies be purebred? The price certainly is “purebred” price!
As luck would have it, your children want that very puppy. You hesitate, and finally ask for the puppy to be held until the next day. Back home, you decide to do a little research. You go online, and search the Internet for “black & white lab puppies info”.
So Sorry
If the information you find is honest, you will learn that black Labradors do not come in black and white. Any dog billed as a white and black Labrador Retriever is of mixed blood. Unfortunately, disreputable breeders are working to convince the public that these mongrels are AKC registered dogs. Indeed, with a bit of dishonest paperwork, some may become registered as black Labradors, but their registration will not endure scrutiny.
Realizing that the puppy in the pet shop is far over-priced, since it is not purebred, you decide to look for a real black Labrador.
AKC Color Standard
The American Kennel Club (AKC) gives just 3 colors for Labrador Retrievers:
1. Black Labrador
2. Yellow Labrador
3. Chocolate Labrador
Any other color – or a combination of colors – disqualifies a dog for registration as a Labrador Retriever.
A black Labrador may have a small white spot on the chest and meet the standard, but even that is considered undesirable.
A black Labrador should be all black, from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. There should be no streaks, spots, or flecks of other colors. If the dog is older, and has a few white “age” hairs, that is fine. A young black Labrador, however, should be completely black.
The Color Genes
The black Labrador Retriever’s color is determined primarily by 2 genes.
1. The first gene (B) decides how dense a black Labrador’s coat pigment granules will be. When pigment granules are dense, the coat will be black. When pigment granules are sparse, the coat will be chocolate. If this were the only gene involved, there would be only chocolate and black Labradors.
2. The second gene (E) makes the difference. It determines whether any pigment is even produced. Regardless of the B gene, if a dog has the recessive E, there will be little color. It will be a yellow Labrador.
Variations in a number of other genes control subtler color details.
A black Labrador’s nose matches its coat – black.
Blue, Charcoal, Grey, and Silver
Unscrupulous breeders have come up with new names to fit their puppies that do not meet the officially recognized standard, telling people that it is a new line of “purebred” black Labrador.
The most blatantly pushed of these four colors is silver. This is a very light color and, since it is sought by some who do not adhere to the standard, disreputable breeders describe unusually light colored yellow and chocolate labs as “silver” labs.
Sharon Wagner, molecular biologist and geneticist of http://wigwaglabradors.com wrote an analysis, which concluded “Silver breeders also blatantly lie. They have information on their websites that talk about DNA testing done by the AKC … AKC never did any genetic mapping of silver Labradors nor do they have any plans to do so since they are a registering body only and the Labrador Club of America writes the standard for the breed.”
Dogbreedadvice.com states in a Labrador FAQ: “‘Silver’ Labradors are purely a scam and are either crosses with Weimaraners or very light chocolates.”
A black Labrador Retriever’s color should never be any of these shades.
Are You My Father?
Imagine that you mate 2 black Labradors, and nine weeks later a litter of squirming little puppies arrives. Three are black Labradors, as expected, but 2 are chocolate Labs, and 4 are yellow Labs. Ahem! Will the real father please stand up!
You know the real father – no question – so how did this happen? It all goes back to genes. A Lab with one gene for dark and one for red-yellow pigment will appear to be black or chocolate, depending on other genes that control black or chocolate color. Each parent of a litter with some yellow puppies must have at least one gene for red-yellow pigment.
We know we mated 2 black Labradors, so each of them must have had one gene for dark pigment and one for red-yellow pigment. If both parents had been yellow Labs, neither could carry the gene for dark pigment. None of their puppies would have been chocolate or black Labradors.
Black Labrador Retriever color is important to many people, as are the short, dense, weather resistant coat; the “otter” tail; and the clean-cut head with broad back skull.
More important, though, is that your lovable Labrador be happy and healthy.
Today I fell into a trap that I should never have allowed myself to get into. I actually trusted my dog, my Nikki, a 3 year golden retriever.
Nikki is an amazingly affectionate dog, even more than normal for a golden retriever. She is gentle, good natured and behaves pretty well.
She loves going out for car drives, and she is a very well behaved dog in the car. She sits beside me, head hanging out the window and gently watching the world go by. She never gets agitated, restless or excited, even when she spots another dog out the window.
The other day, I took both Nikki, and Benny my black lab out for a drive. This time Benny was sitting in the front. Nikki was in the back. As usual I had the back and front window open.
I drove around the corner, and pulled into my driveway. And, what do I see…Nikki, sitting by the front gate. She must have jumped out the back window as I was pulling around the corner and ran to the gate.
I had absolutely NO clue she had even jumped out. Never before did she ever show any signs of jumping out.
Needless to say I was freaking. I mean, with a little imagination, I could imagine what could have happened.
Rule number one: Don’t trust your dogs. No matter how well behaved your dogs are, they are still dogs. Look out for their safety. Always make safety your first priority.
I should have known better. I try to make dog safety and dog training and dog nutrition my priorities. I have 3 dogs, 2 black labs, and my Nikki, a golden retriever. Dukie, one of my black labs is blind. Oddly enough, when I walk my 3 dogs and my neighbour comes and joins me with her dog, Dukie behaves the best. He loves walking and going for car rides. If you are observing him, you would never know he is blind.
The Labrador Retriever (“Labrador” or “Lab” for short), is one of several kinds of retriever, and are the most popular breeds of dog (by registered ownership) in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The breed is exceptionally friendly, intelligent and good natured, and as a rule these qualities mean that Labs love people, handle children well, and therefore make excellent family and service dogs. Benny, my black lab and Nikki are both Certified Therapy Dogs. They visit the elderly in homes.
Labradors are relatively large with males typically weighing 60 to 80 lb (27 to 36 kg) and females 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg). They are energetic outgoing dogs, and are black, yellow, or brown (called “chocolate”) in color, in that order of frequency. Their fur is usually fairly short and straight, and the tail quite broad and strong. The otter-like tail and webbed toes of the Labrador Retriever make him an excellent swimmer. Their interwoven coat is also waterproof, providing more assistance for swimming. The tail acts as a rudder for changing directions. Yellow labs can have black or pink noses; chocolate and black labs’s noses match the coat color.
As with some other breeds, the English and the America lines differ slightly. Labs are bred in England as a medium size dog, shorter and stockier with fuller faces than their American counterparts which are bred as a larger dog. I have both, one English, My Benny, and one American, my Dukie.
Famous Labs
Suppose you have silvery hair. The natural assumption of those with whom you live and work would be that you are of an age when the hair begins to lose its color. If your hair turned grey before you were 20 or 30 years of age, it might be a dietary deficiency, a medical concern – or genetics.
A black Labrador Retriever, silver factored with a coat that is something less than black, is claimed by some to be a pure bred dog. Purportedly rare and highly desirable, a black Labrador Retriever that’s silver factored may be offered at a higher than normal price. Does it merit this? Or is it simply a crossbreed – a mongrel?
Black Labrador Retriever Standard
The Labrador Retriever breed standard says: “The Labrador Retriever coat colors are black, yellow, and chocolate. Any other color or a combination of colors is a disqualification.” The breed standard goes on to say that black Labrador Retrievers must be all black. If a black Labrador Retriever has a small white spot on the chest, it is “permissible, but not desirable” according to the breed standard.
A black Labrador Retriever, silver factored or not, must meet that standard. Every purebred black Labrador Retriever must be black.
Genetically Speaking
A black Labrador Retriever, silver factored or otherwise at odds with the standard, apparently has genetics that are not in line with those of the breed. The genetics of a true black Labrador Retriever’s coat color seem to be rather simple. Each dog receives two pairs of genes: one from its mother and one from its father.
You will remember from early science class that there are two types of gene in every living being: dominant and recessive. This is true of you and it is true of black Labrador Retrievers. Genes determine your hair color, just as genes determine the coat color of a black Labrador Retriever. You might have brown, black, red, blond, or a variation of any of those. A Labrador Retriever has only two choices: black and chocolate – although we see black, chocolate, and yellow.
Consider these facts.
1. In Labrador Retrievers, a dominant gene always determines what color the coat will be. Always. It does not matter what other genes are present. The black gene, which we will call “B” for short, is dominant. Therefore, if a “B” gene is present, the pre-selected coat color is black. But read on.
2. We will call the recessive chocolate gene “b” for short. The “b” gene can only produce a chocolate coat if the dog inherits no “B” gene. Those are the only choices: “B” dominant black genes and “b” recessive chocolate genes. There is no gene for yellow, silver, or other colors. A black Labrador Retriever, silver factored or other factored, would have to go against this genetic makeup.
3. In addition to the black and chocolate genes, Labrador Retrievers have two more genes. These genes determine the dogs’ ability to express a dark coat, i.e. to let the dark color show. Let’s call the dominant expression gene “E” for short and the recessive expression gene “e” for short.
4. Labrador Retrievers that have the dominant “E” gene are able to express a dark coat. They can show black or chocolate. If the dog has a “B” gene and an “E” gene, it will be black, no matter what other genes it has. If it has a “b” and an “E” gene, it will be chocolate.
5. Labrador Retrievers that have the recessive “e” gene cannot show a dark coat. They will show neither black nor chocolate. They will show the absence of those by being a shade of yellow. A Labrador Retriever with a combination such as BBee has 2 dominant genes for black, but the recessive “e” genes will not let the color show. The dog will be yellow.
You will see that a black Labrador Retriever, silver factored is not possible with these pairs of genes. There is no scientific data as of this writing (2007) that has found any silver gene in black Labrador Retrievers.
True Nature of So-called Silver Labs
A black Labrador Retriever that is said to be silver factored may be an unusually light yellow or chocolate Lab. There is also, in the U.S., a gray-brown shade similar to that of Weimaraners. It is reported that the U.S. kennel first to report “silver” Labradors also kept Weimaraners, a silvery-gray breed with somewhat similar appearance. It is widely believed that the true nature of a black Labrador Retriever, silver factored, is that of a crossbreed: Labrador Retriever – Weimaraner mix.
The AKC recognizes “silver” Labs only as chocolate, and rejects them because they do not meet the breed standard for chocolate Labs. A black Labrador Retriever that’s silver factored is not an AKC standard purebred dog.
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about lovable Labrador Retrievers at http://www.lovablelabradors.com. Anna has posted additional information on that site about black Labrador Retrievers. If you ever wondered how long a Labrador Retriever’s life span is, in human and dog years, pay Anna a visit now. You may be surprised!
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