The term tan Labrador is a way to describe yellow Lab coats. Labradors can be black and tan or have other colors. But sometimes it means a mix of colors, like the black Labrador with brown stripes on it.
A breeder might have a tan Labrador. You should find out what it means. If you are showing your Lab, you will need to avoid any Labradors with distinctive marks.
Labradors sometimes have a brown tint to their fur, but it’s rare. It is very different from black Labradors, though.
Labradors are America’s favorite dog breed. Labs are often working dogs, but they can be family pets too. There are a lot of Labs because people keep breeding them. Labradors come in different colors and shades.
Yellow Labs come in many different colors, from white cream to red. So, some breeders may say that a certain kind of yellow Lab is “tan.” But this is only what they think the color should be. If you want a tan-colored dog, you will have no trouble finding a yellow Lab.
When you are thinking about buying a Lab puppy, it is essential to see the color of the pup. The shade of yellow can change as your dog gets older, though.
Tan Mismarks
Some Labs are black with brown spots. These are called “black and tan.” Sometimes, people mistake them for Rottweilers or mixed breeds when they are not. But it is possible to find a pure black Lab with tan marks.
Labradors often have tan markings. They are on their legs, chest, eyebrows, and muzzle. The other option is brindle patterning with flecks of tan. This is common on their chest.
Mismarks are not that common. If you get a puppy with mismarks, it might take you a long time to find one.
Are Tan Labradors Purebred?
Tan Labradors that are not really yellow but a different color and might have brown or black spots can be purebred. It is not just Labs with tan markings that are purebred either. Some of these Labs also have brown and black spots on them.
Some people sell mixed breed puppies as being purebred. But there are ways to find out if a Lab is purebred.
How to Find Out if Your Lab is Purebred
It is not good to look at dogs and decide if they are mixed. They might have any mix of traits. However, reputable breeders can show you the names of their parents on the puppies’ registration documents.
Here are three methods. One way is to give a copy of the pedigree, which will go back a few generations. Another way is to test the DNA by taking a swab sample from your dog’s cheek.
Unscrupulous Breeders
A person might go to a backyard breeder if they want a different type of dog. A puppy mill is also a place where people might go. Black and tan Labs are rare, so many people mix Lab and Rottweiler or other breeds to get the same type of dog.
Puppy mills and backyard breeders do not give their puppies the same level of care as good, reputable breeders. They don’t test for health problems before they make a new puppy from two other dogs.
This can be costly and stressful to your health. We will look at finding a healthy tan Labrador at the end of this guide.
Where Did Tan Labrador Coloring Come From?
Labrador Retrievers are a type of dog that has been around for many years. They may be from Newfoundland, Canada.
The St. John’s Water Dog is an ancestor of the Labrador. These dogs were often black with light markings on their legs, face, paws, and chest. This is similar to how a black and tan Labrador has tan markings.
Labradors were initially all black. But in 1899, the first yellow Lab was born. This is unusual because Labradors are more used to being black. But it is possible to find a yellow lab that has a brown color that looks like tan.
With this information, it’s easy to see how recessive markings and colorings can stay hidden in a dog for a long time. Even if the dog is purebred.
Are Tan Labradors Allowed to Compete?
In AKC shows, yellow Labs can show their mix of colors. They have to have a lot of yellow, like light cream or fox red. But if they are dark like brindle or black and tan- they can’t show in an AKC show.
This coloring is counted as a disqualification. Mismarked Labs can still be AKC registered. They just can’t compete in competitions, but they are great family dogs for the right home.
Are Tan Labradors Rare?
There are many different colors of yellow Labradors today. But finding the exact color you want might be tricky. The color is recessive, so it may take a long time to find one that is perfect for you.
If a Lab puppy is yellow, that means it got the genes from both parents. That’s why yellow Labs are less common than black Labs. But because the Lab breed is popular, you won’t have any trouble finding one.
What About Tan Mismarks?
Although black-and-tan labs are hard to find, it is not impossible. Black-and-tan labs are recessive. That means that they need black and tan parents to show the coloring.
Genes can lie dormant in certain dog breeds for a long time. However, they might show up later in the pup’s life. Often, people don’t know that this is happening, and they find out by accident.
Breeders should not focus on breeding for a specific color or pattern; but instead, they should choose to breed for a healthy puppy. Breeding only for appearance increases the chance that the dog will have some kind of disease.
Where Can I Find a Tan Labrador Puppy?
If you want to buy a yellow Labrador, go to the place where they are. This way, you can pick one that has the color yellow that you want. You should know that Labradors can change their color as they grow up. So they might not be the same shade of yellow when they’re fully grown adults.
Most people who breed dogs find tan mismarks by accident. It is uncommon for people to advertise black and tan Labradors before they arrive if they are mixed breeds.
The cost of black and tan Labrador puppies will vary. Some may give a discount because you cannot show mismarked Labs like this, but others might increase the price. If you want a mismarked black and tan Labrador, you may have to wait a long time before one appears.
If you want a specific kind of dog, talk to the people who breed that type of dog. They might email you when they have that kind in their litter. You should only buy your puppy from someone who tests the dogs for health problems and is reputable. Do not buy puppies from places like pet stores or backyard breeders.
Tan Labrador – A Summary
Do you have a tan-colored Labrador at home? Or maybe you’ve seen a black and tan or brindle-colored Labrador? Both of these color types can make good family dogs.
References and Resources
- Green, R.’ Lab Most Popular Breed for 30th Straight Year; Frenchie Jumps to No. 2′, AKC (2021)
- ‘Official Standard for the Labrador Retriever’, AKC
- ‘Some Common Mismarks in Labradors’, Woodhaven Labs
- ‘History of the Buccleuch Labrador,’ Drumlanrig Castle
- Farrell, L. (et al.), ‘The Challenges of Pedigree Dog Health: Approaches to Combating Inherited Disease,’ Canine Medicine and Genetics (2015)