The story behind the Yellow Labrador

YELLOW LABRADOR RETRIEVERS

INTRO

Yellow Labrador Retrievers are a beautiful color variation of the Labrador Retriever breed. According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog registered by dog owners for the past eighteen years. This is an amazing growth in popularity, since Labrador Retrievers only began to grow in popularity after the 1920's.

YELLOW LABRADOR HISTORY

In Newfoundland, the Labrador Retriever breed was first created by cross-breeding the Newfoundland dog with a breed of small water-dogs that were common in coastal areas. Though the Labrador Retriever eventually disappeared from Newfoundland, its popularity in England grew at an incredible rate. The Labrador Retriever, at the time known as the “St. John's Waterdog”, was recognized for its loyal companionship, as well as incredible hunting abilities. However, the Yellow Labrador Retriever was at first thought to be a defect in the Labrador breed, and early English Labrador breeders attempted to breed-out the Yellow fur characteristic. Luckily, the Yellow Labrador was able to survive, and was eventually recognized as a legitimate color variation of the Labrador breed in the early 1900's.

YELLOW LABRADOR COLOR TRAIT

Many people today mistakenly call Yellow Labrador Retrievers “golden”. This is because Yellow Labradors were originally referred to as golden in color, until the AKC ruled that Golden is not a true color to describe the Labrador Retrievers. Even so, the earliest Yellow Labrador Retrievers were darker than the breeds we see today, being a deep butterscotch color. Currently, light-yellow Labrador Retrievers are favored among breeders, which gives us the Yellow Labrador Retriever that we know today.

YELLOW LABRADOR TEMPERAMENT

Yellow Labrador Retrievers make wonderful family pets, and are said to be the “ideal” dog for families. Even though they are a slightly larger breed of dog, it is extremely rare to have a Labrador Retriever who has an aggressive temperament. Labrador Retrievers that were improperly raised, or were abandoned by their owners are the most common at-risk dogs for aggressive behavior. Even so, this temperament defect can be eliminated with patient training and a good socialization program.


YELLOW LABRADOR GROOMING

The Yellow Labrador Retriever's fur coat has two layers, each specially designed to give the Labrador optimum protection from temperature variances and moisture. The inner layer of the Labrador's fur is soft, dense and thick, acting as insulation. The outer layer is oily and coarse, functioning to help repel any moisture and protect the soft inner layer. Labrador Retrievers require grooming at least twice weekly, to help keep their coat in pristine condition.