So, why not chocolate?

**Alaskalab** · 06-29-2011, 01:55 PM

A few years ago when my husband and I were looking for a chocolate male we had a very difficult time. None of the reputable breeders here in Alaska bred chocolates, just blacks and yellows. We ended up with a rescue. I am glad we did, but this experience has prompted me to return purchasing from reputable breeders who breed for temperment and health. Anyhow, when I was looking for my little black girl the breeder we were going with was actually disgusted we had a chocolate. She said her line doesn't carry chocolate. I asked why and she said they are the leftovers from yellows and blacks. She said, "I have never met a nice chocolate that was predictable". I know a lot of us on here have chocolates, my question is why aren't chocolates favored by breeders? Maybe it is just a matter of preference as I know there are reputable breeders out there that actually focus on chocolates. I guess I was taken aback from her comment and needless to say we didn't get one of her puppies.

**deidra** · 06-29-2011, 02:13 PM

CHoclates are harder to show I guess. They can have swirls in there coat. Were part of them is lighter and the rest is darker. That is what i got from googling it. The breeder is not right about not meeting a good choclate because I am taking care of one right now and he is the sweetest thing EVER!

**BigBrownDog** · 06-29-2011, 02:14 PM

Chocolate was not an acceptable color for a long time - black was favored initially and then yellow gained acceptance. The gene pool for Chocolate was narrow, subsequently.

Then Chocolate became "hot" and less than scrupulous breeders produced a lot of inferior dogs (temperament and type). That's also how Chocolates gained their rep as hyper and unpredictable (which of course has nothing to do with color and everything to do with breeding).

There are lots of good breeders with great looking Chocolate dogs now - but it's still a whole lot easier to find a nice black or yellow dog. My Chocolate of unknown ancestry is a nice dog - not hyper, a little bossy but overall sweet but he does not remotely conform to the standard.

You may need to travel to locate a Chocolate puppy since I imagine there are not that many breeders in Alaska.

**Lexis Mom** · 06-29-2011, 02:20 PM

I have a chocolate, a rescued chocolate, who is an absolute doll. Does she have her wild crazy moments, absolutely, but then so do blacks & yellows. In fact, I know a crazy black puppy.

If you were still interested in a chocolate, we have (or had) breeder based in Northern Canada that breeds chocolates. She had one of the most beautiful male chocolates I've ever seen. I used to joke with her, if she were closer I'd have to swipe him.

**Alaskalab** · 06-29-2011, 02:22 PM

No, there aren't many breeders in Alaska. We ended up with a rescue chocolate who is definately stubborn and a little grouchy. He can be a sweetheart at times, but has a mind of his own. He is well trained so that helps. We even had to go out of state to get my little black girl because the waiting lists for the few breeders was pretty long. Here is a picture of Willy (chocolate) and Abbey (black).

**deidra** · 06-29-2011, 02:26 PM

They are both Beautiful!

**jen124** · 06-29-2011, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by BigBrownDog

Chocolate was not an acceptable color for a long time - black was favored initially and then yellow gained acceptance. The gene pool for Chocolate was narrow, subsequently.

Then Chocolate became "hot" and less than scrupulous breeders produced a lot of inferior dogs (temperament and type). That's also how Chocolates gained their rep as hyper and unpredictable (which of course has nothing to do with color and everything to do with breeding).

There are lots of good breeders with great looking Chocolate dogs now - but it's still a whole lot easier to find a nice black or yellow dog. My Chocolate of unknown ancestry is a nice dog - not hyper, a little bossy but overall sweet but he does not remotely conform to the standard.

You may need to travel to locate a Chocolate puppy since I imagine there are not that many breeders in Alaska.

This! Although now with the widening gene pool and the gradual acceptance of chocolates it is getting easier to find a reputable breeder. Old school people (my husband is one of them - lol

still prefer the black and yellow. My DH had competed in Field Trials and says you almost never see a chocolate. He takes my girl hunting and jokes that he hopes he doesn't see anyone he knows or he'll be laughed at!!! As far as temperament my chocolate is the most laid back of my whole crew.

**Felix** · 06-29-2011, 03:13 PM

Well, if you actually take a look at the Labrador .. The only right collor is Black

And i meant black with whit on their paws and chest

And yellow is actually a fault in the breed

**labby** · 06-29-2011, 04:27 PM

There are many good chocolate breeders out there. I'm just not a fan of the color and consequently I will not knowingly introduce the gene into my dogs.

**kassabella** · 06-29-2011, 04:29 PM

Three weeks ago I adopted a chocolate girl. She is tatty at the moment, but when she comes right she will be the most gorgeous colour and nature. She jumps a bit when people come in, but that is lack of training. The black boy is the crazy one.