Labs with white spots? Full blooded or not?

[TN_LAB]

It's not prefered, but it doesn't mean they aren't purebred.

FWIW, they make fine dogs.

[croppiemstr]

Some of the best field trial Labs, including Lean Mac, are known for throwing pups with white. Bolo spots (white marks in the undersides of hocks/paws) are very common. White spots on the chest, while not desirable under the standard are still permitted. White chins -- some claimed as prematurely gray even if there when the dog is a pup -- are not at all uncommon and may be found on some national champions. I have a Patton pup with a sprinkling of white hairs on her right front leg. When you see dogs with names like blaze, salty, powder, etc., you may find a few white spots to go with the name. There is a difference between having markings inconsistent with the standard, and not being purebred.

That explains a little for me since he is part of my females bloodline.

[SueLab]

I had a whole litter with bolo markings on their feet...by the time they were a year old, no markings remained...they did have Lean Max in the pedigree...see this link...he is in Lean Mac's pedigree and the marks are named after him...
http://www.lorkenfarms.com/banchory_bolo.htm

It is also an interesting article about a dog that someone had faith in...

[croppiemstr]

Our late and lamented girl Georga had yellow tipping on her face and legs, everyone called it gold frosting...her dad was chocolate and her mum was yellow....funnily enough she held her own in the show ring despite the tipping. Java has Bolo spots and her pups have too...she also has a gold band around her tail, which cant be seen unless you rub the hair back the wrong way..her pups have that too and I would really like to know about that.

That is the same with my female you cant see it unless she is wet or you rub the hair the worng direction. So weird

[Cleo Watson]

Our late and lamented girl Georga had yellow tipping on her face and legs, everyone called it gold frosting...her dad was chocolate and her mum was yellow....funnily enough she held her own in the show ring despite the tipping. Java has Bolo spots and her pups have too...she also has a gold band around her tail, which cant be seen unless you rub the hair back the wrong way..her pups have that too and I would really like to know about that.

Several years ago there was a Genetic Seminar at Cornell University that I attended. I had several questions I wanted to know concerning Chocolates. I was able to speak with the main speaker and he told me that chocolate was a 'color' gene only and had absoltely no bearing on the ability or inteligence of the Lab, it was all in the breeding. And, regarding the light ring about 2 inches below the base of the tail was a gland that could occur in all colors of the Lab, just a bit more visible in some.

The white spot on the chest, the bolo marks on the legs and the light ring around the tail has nothing to do with the performance of the Lab, they don't pick up birds with any of these. I am reminded of the Canadian National Champ, FC, AFC Overland Express who sported a large white blaze on his chest. Didn't slow Jake down at all.

If the dog is healthy, well bred, loves to retrieve and pleases you, that is all that matters.

[lynette]

Thanks for that, Cleo...much appreciated

[Steve]

I'd recommend for any dog that is not full blooded to be taken to the vet. I bet they could top 'em off with a pint.

[BWCA Labs Margo Penke]

This thread has really encouraged me today, thank you to everyone who shared.

[Breck]

All else being equal, I would pick the puppy with white between it's pads over one that had none! Same if they have a Zipper between the eyes!

[Eli M]

FWIW, Im one more guy with a Bolo'd black girl who is a great retriever and throws awesome pups. I had her grandma too and she was a big choc girl, when she was bred to a black stud, the pups would all have some white hairs some where.