I have a Black Labrador, and I would like to know if he will throw color, what should I test for?

Labradors have several combinations of genes that play a role in coat color.  The first is the E-Locus.  This gene determines if a dog can produce black pigment, or yellow pigment.  The allele for black pigment is the “E” allele, and is dominant over the recessive yellow “e” allele.  A black lab can be “E/E” or “E/e” and appear black.  A dog that is “E/e” can pass on the gene for yellow coat color.

The B-Locus also plays a role.  This determines if a dog will produce normal black pigment, or chocolate pigment instead.  A black lab can be B/B or B/b and produce normal black color, however, the dog that is B/b can pass on the gene for chocolate coat color. To test a Labrador for Chocolate coat color, please check the B-Locus box on your form. To test for Yellow coat color, please check the E-Locus (e) box on the form.

Here is a summary of possible coat colors in Labradors:

The dilute gene also can play a role here. Dogs that are D/D for the D-locus or dilute gene will never pass on this trait. Dogs that are D/d will appear normal color, however, can pass on the allele for diluted coat color. Dogs that are d/d will appear diluted. To test for the Dilution gene, please check the D-Locus box on your submission form.