Black and Tan Labradors

Most people have heard of or seen black, yellow and chocolate Labrador Retrievers.  Fewer people also know that purebred Labradors can also have tan markings on their black or chocolate coat.   

The black and tan coloring is due to a modifier gene normally present in Labrador Retrievers.  It is recessive and therefore requires each parent to contribute the black and tan gene to an individual for the color to show up.   It can modify a black or chocolate Lab to have lighter tan markings in the usual locations of a Gordon Setter, Doberman or Rottewieler.  There is also a brindle coloring that Labs can have.  We see it less often.  Labs with brindling have tan speckling on their forelegs, muzzles and chest.  

Brindle or black and tan Labradors can not compete in the show ring because these colors are not accepted as desirable by the breed standard and are deemed mismarked.  The breed standard is a guide line for breeders so they can strive for the physical, temperamental and working qualities that the breed was established.   Black and Tan and brindle Labradors can however be registered with the AKC and these color choices are on the registration slips.

At Guiding Eyes, our breeding colony has been derived in part from the Whygin Labs, a prominent kennel  that was very successful with show and hunting dogs in the 1970s.   We have produced mismarked dogs from the Whygin line as well as when breeding to other show dogs throughout the Northeast.  

Because we breed only for dogs to serve the blind, our primary criteria are confident, easy to handle dogs with excellent health and a sturdy conformation.  We do not remove breeding dogs from our breeding colony if they produce these coat colors.   The only dogs that are allowed to reproduce are those that are under direct control of a service dog school with the sole purpose of producing more service dogs.

Due to the fact these coat colors require both parents to carry the genes, we do not have many black and tan or brindle Labs produced.   As with dogs of any color, a small percent do not pass their puppy test for guide dog work and are available as pets which must be neutered.  Other than their color, these pups have the same temperament and health traits as their solid colored littermates.  If you are interested in applying to adopt a black and tan or brindle puppy, please make us aware by selecting the black and tan color choice on the application.

Wonderful Mr. Quigs was adopted by the Cains on May 17.  The family and Quigs are both in love with each other.  Thanks so much Carol! 

We don’t know what attacked poor Quigley, but he ALSO has severe Heartworms!  We are raising the $300 to get him treated, he made it through this attack, we’re certain he can make it through Heartworm treatment.  We are asking for donations for this poor boy. If you’d rather NOT donate, how about simply buying a few of our Cookbooks? This also would help the big sweetie and they’d make great Christmas gifts.

It is so nice to see people stepping up for these Special Needs Labs. The economy has been so bad, we haven’t had many adoptions, this gives us HOPE to continue pulling the Special Needs and the Black Labs of Indiana. Thank you so much Bendorfeanus!

Mimi’s story is very sad. Her owners were an older couple and the wife had accidentally backed over her with a car while backing out of the driveway when Mimi was a small puppy, which severely damaged her right front leg. The veterinarian was able to save the leg, but it has a bent deformity in the lower portion of the leg, which does not appear to bother her at all. She runs and plays just fine and loves people as well as other dogs and puppies. The vets said there is no more that can be done to help Mimi’s bum leg. We have all of her medical records now and you are welcome to see them.

Shortly after her owners had her leg fixed, they were involved in a severe car crash and the woman died. Due to no one able to care for Mimi, she was surrendered to the shelter by, one of their adult children. This poor dog and her family have had a plethora of tragedies. Mimi really needs a loving home after all that she has been thru!

This is Maggie (fka Mimi on the left) and her brother, Snickers.  Maggie is doing great.  She did hurt herself and have to go to the vet, her shoulder is not inside the socket.  But no surgery needed yet.