Black, Chocolate, Golden Labradors – What’s the Difference?

chocolate labrador retriever

Black, chocolate, and golden Labradors! Maybe we’re biased, but we love them all! Still, rumour has it that there is a difference between these perfect pooches, so we’ve made it our business to know what it is. Which pups are cute and snuggly? Which ones are clever and spritely? We’ve done some very serious research (playing with as many Labs as possible), and we think we have the answers.

Without further ado, this is your comprehensive guide to what makes each Labrador subtype unique – and how you can choose the perfect Labrador to join your family.

The Difference Between Black, Chocolate and Golden Labradors

Black labrador, chocolate labrador, golden labrador differences.

The real difference between the different-coloured Labs is…

There isn’t one. Not really, anyway.

All Labradors are good Labradors, and dogs are individuals. Just like a person’s hair colour can’t predict their personality, a dog’s coat doesn’t decide who they are or what they love. These things are unique to every dog and can be influenced by environmental factors, including the families who take them in. But with all that said, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that a Labrador’s coat colour might have at least a small role to play in who your Lab grows up to be. Based on conversations with Labrador owners and our own interactions with all kinds of gorgeous Labs, we think we’ve found the beginnings of a pattern.

Black Labradors

Black Labradors are best known for their stunning, shiny black coat and lovable nature. Plus, they can be super intelligent, making them great service dogs. Black Labs are outgoing, athletic, and quick to learn, always eager to pick up new skills to impress their humans. If you have a big backyard, you may have trouble spotting your black Lab at night. On the other hand, if you have light-coloured home furnishings, there’s no mistaking that a black Lab lives with you!

Chocolate Labradors aka Brown Labradors

Chocolate Labs are bouncy and cheeky! Other words used to describe these sweethearts include goofy, silly, stubborn, excitable and – rather rudely, we think – absolutely bonkers! Yes, they can be troublemakers, which makes for plenty of funny situations – but staying mad at them is impossible when they look up at you with those puppy dog eyes!

Full of energy, these dogs love to play. And some will try and tell you chocolate Labs are not as clever as the other colours, but you try eating a whole iPad by yourself – it’s challenging, okay?

Yellow Labradors aka Golden Labradors

Yellow Labradors are everyone’s best friends, with sunny coats that perfectly match their sunny demeanours. These gorgeous doggos have a reputation for being cuddly and devoted to their humans. They tend to be quite relaxed – except maybe around food! Yellow Labs are the easiest to photograph – and don’t they know it. These supermodels can be real divas in front of the camera. Make sure you get their good side – just kidding, yellow Labs are beautiful from every angle!

Silver, White and Fox Red Labradors

There’s been some variations in coat colours over the years. Silver Labradors are quite rare and aren’t pure labrador retrievers. They’re a crossbreed with Weimeraners, which can mean they’re highly active and need more exercise than a standard lab. You may have also heard of Fox Red Labradors. The stunning copper-coloured coat is actually a variant of the yellow Lab. White labradors are also just golden labs, with a paler coat. All labrador variations seek lots of love and attention from their owners – but that’s okay because who doesn’t love Lab cuddles?

<H2>The Truth About a Labrador’s Personality </H2>

For every chocolate Lab owner who describes their dog as ‘nuts,’ you’ll find nine more who say theirs is well-behaved and very chilled out. So if you’re trying to choose a Lab with a great temperament, judging by the colour of their coat is unlikely to be a reliable method. Breeding, genetics, training, and the environment a puppy is raised in all contribute to the kind of dog they will grow to be. And for smart and energetic dogs like Labs, if you don’t keep them busy with daily exercise and play, you can expect boredom to quickly lead to naughtiness.

It’s also worth noting that the Labrador breed has two distinct types: the American Labrador Retriever and the English Labrador Retriever.

American Labrador Retriever

American Labs at a glance.

English Labrador Retriever

English Labs at a glance.

Other Lab Variations

Other variations can occur within Labrador subtypes. Wedge tails, for example, are common in mixed-breed dogs or those with a genetic mutation. These tails, curving down toward the rear, give adult labs a very different silhouette. Differences may also occur in a dog’s coat type. Some labs have thinner, more wiry hair while many have the double coat which is the source of the infamous Labrador shedding. Others, especially Labradoodles and other mixed-breed dogs, can have fleece coats. Extra-thick fleece coats are wavy or curly, low-shedding, but prone to matting.

Thinking of Adopting a Lab?

If you’re ready to take the next step and find the perfect canine companion to join your family, the first step is filling out our application to become an approved adopter. From there, we’ll keep an eye out for the perfect match for your needs. Please do read up on adopting labradors as pets so you know what you’re in for and make a smart choice by avoiding puppy mills.