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Use AKC DNA + Health for all your DNA needs for Labrador Retrievers. Every test provides results for:
- AKC DNA Profile – 201 markers for parentage verification purposes, the only AKC-approved profile for parentage verification*
- 328+ markers for health and traits
Sample AKC DNA Profile Sample Labrador Retriever Health Report
This comprehensive genetic screening includes tests for the following genetic variants that have been identified in Labrador Retrievers:
Recommended by the Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.:
- Centronuclear Myopathy (CDM)
- D Locus (Dilute)
- Exercise-Induced Collapse
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRCD (PRA-prcd, PRCD)
The AKC recommends that breeders perform health tests on sires and dams that are relevant to their breed based on Parent Club recommendations. To learn more about additional health tests recommended for Labrador Retrievers, please read the Official Breed Club Health Statement.
Other genetic variants identified in Labrador Retrievers:
- Cone Degeneration (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Cystinuria (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM)
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Labrador Retriever Type), Variant 1
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Labrador Retriever Type), Variant 2
- Elliptocytosis
- Exercise-Induced Collapse
- Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Hyperuricosuria (HUU)
- Ichthyosis (Golden Retriever Type 1)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk Factor and Chondrodystrophy (CDDY with IVDD)
- Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy (Leonberger Type 3)
- Macular Corneal Dystrophy (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Myotonia Congenita (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Myotubular Myopathy 1 (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Narcolepsy (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Golden Retriever 2
- Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (Labrador Retriever Type)
- Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1
- Skeletal Dysplasia 2
- Stargardt Disease
- Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (Labrador Retriever Type 1)
- Ullrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (Labrador Retriever Type 2)
The following color and traits tests included in AKC DNA + Health may also be relevant to Labrador Retrievers:
- Coat Colors:
- B Locus (Brown, ba, bc, bd, be, bh, bs)
- E Locus (e1, e2, e3, eA, Eg, Eh, & Em)
- Other Traits:
- Brachycephaly
- Chondrodysplasia (CDPA)
- L Locus (Long Hair/Fluffy)
- Polydactyly (Common Variant)
- SD Locus (Shedding)
- Social Behavior
Explore the Genetics of Labrador Retriever Colors
The Labrador Retriever breed standard considers the following colors as “standard.” To learn more about the Labrador Retriever breed standard, visit the Labrador Retriever Breed Page.
- Yellow
- Black
- Chocolate
©Farinoza / stock.adobe.com
First, some basic coat color genetics will help with understanding Labrador Retriever color genetics. Dogs have two different types of pigment, known as eumelanin and pheomelanin. These colors correlate to black (eumelanin) or yellow/red (pheomelanin) and is controlled by the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, also known as “Extension” and different variants are evaluated with the “E Locus Panel.” The E locus helps determine if a dog shows mainly black pigment (eumelanin), or yellow/red pigment (pheomelanin). Then, other genes help modify the intensity of the pigment (B Locus, Brown; D Locus, Dilute).
Variants of the E locus can result in a black or yellow dogs. Multiple variations of the E locus, also known as alleles, have been identified and are tested for with the AKC DNA + Health Kit. For Labrador Retrievers, 2 E locus alleles are important:
- E – Black
- e1 – Yellow
A yellow Labrador Retriever has the genotype “e1e1” at the E Locus. This dog has 2 copies of e1, which inhibits production of black pigment, producing a yellow dog.
Focusing just on the E locus, the following genotypes are possible:
| Allele 1 | Allele 2 | Explanation | Color |
| E | E | 2 copies of black | Dog is black at E locus (based on E locus, other genes can modify actual color) |
| E | e1 | 1 copy of black and 1 copy of yellow | Dog is black (based on E locus, other genes can modify actual color) |
| e1 | e1 | 2 copies of yellow | Dog is yellow |
Additional genes help modify the hue of black seen. Chocolate labs are essentially lighter variations of black. The B locus (brown), which tests for different variants of the Tyrosinase-related protein 1, or TYRP1 gene, has alleles that lighten the coat from black to chocolate. The mode of inheritance is recessive, which means 2 copies of each locus are necessary to lighten the pigment of a dog from black.
Focusing just on the B Locus (Brown), the following genotypes are possible. However, the dog must have at least 1 copy of “E” at the E locus to look chocolate. For yellow labs, the presence of brown can change the pigment of the nose and paw pads. Yellow dogs with 2 copies at the B Locus have brown noses and paw pads, whereas yellow labs with 1 or 0 copies of brown have black pigment.
| Allele 1 | Allele 2 | Explanation | Color |
| B | B | 2 copies of black | Dog is black (If E locus is e1e1, then dog is yellow with black nose and paw pads.) |
| B | b | 1 copy of black and 1 copy of yellow | Dog is black and carries chocolate (If E locus is e1e1, then dog is yellow with black nose and paw pads.) |
| b | b | 2 copies of brown | Dog is chocolate (If E locus is e1e1, then dog is yellow with brown nose and paw pads.) |
Summary of possible genotypes for AKC-registered colors for Labrador Retrievers:
- Yellow (with black nose) – e1e1 Bb or e1e1 BB
- Black – EE BB, EE Bb, Ee1 BB or Ee1 Bb
- Chocolate – EE bb or Ee1 bb
Please note: These genotypes explain most colors for Labrador Retrievers, but other genes can modify the actual color observed. For questions, please contact the AKC Canine Genetic Counselor at 919-816-3508 and press 4.
*The AKC does not accept DNA results from other genetic testing providers.
Author: Claire Wiley, VMD, DACVIM (Small Animal Internal Medicine), Executive Director, AKC DNA Program