Chocolate Lab coat color/change?

**JackieN** · 03-10-2007, 08:49 AM

Morning all...Dakota is 14 weeks old..a few weeks ago, I noticed along his back/neck his coat was changing color from a cocoa color to a dark chocolate color. I'm assuming this is natural, that it is his dog coat coming in??? I've never owned a lab so..this is all new to me. His coat is very shiny too.
Jus' wonderin'!! Jackie

**WeHeartLabs** · 03-10-2007, 08:50 AM

He is losing that puppy coat maybe? I know Lexi- LExismom's choc- changes color also...when she is in the sun a lot her coat is a different color.

**JackieN** · 03-10-2007, 09:04 AM

WeHeartLabs..in the sun, his puppy fur looks even lighter, but even in the house..you can see the darker shade going down his back and starting up his neck. I'm not concerned..it's just been awhile since I had an all one color dog, our Kelly is an akita-shepherd mix and I can't even remember if her fur changed. We got her as a rehome from a neighbor up the street when she was 4 months old.
Thanks for replying... Jackie

Originally Posted by WeHeartLabs

He is losing that puppy coat maybe? I know Lexi- LExismom's choc- changes color also...when she is in the sun a lot her coat is a different color.

**Mischa's Mom** · 03-10-2007, 09:12 AM

Both Tally and Mischa changed a shade when they lost their puppy fluff I call it. It was more from the back end towards the head and you could almost see a line where it was happening
Hope that helps
Pat

**JackieN** · 03-10-2007, 09:14 AM

Yep..that's it..back end towards the head. Yes it helps..my husband got all panicky, thinking something was wrong..LOL..I said he's losing his puppy fur.."I think". LOL
Jackie

Originally Posted by Mischasmom

Both Tally and Mischa changed a shade when they lost their puppy fluff I call it. It was more from the back end towards the head and you could almost see a line where it was happening
Hope that helps
Pat

**WeHeartLabs** · 03-10-2007, 09:33 AM

lol Jackie I think youre correct...he is losing that puppy down. I know Aidan's was lighter and came in a bit more "red".
It means they're growing up! TOO FAST!!!

**Lexis Mom** · 03-10-2007, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by WeHeartLabs

He is losing that puppy coat maybe? I know Lexi- LExismom's choc- changes color also...when she is in the sun a lot her coat is a different color.

Jackie,

I can't really say about Lexi losing her puppy coat, as she was 12-18 months old when I got her from the rescue. I did learn (like WeHeartLabs said) that chocolate labs coats will bleach out when they are in the sun too much. Lexi had been a stray in Louisiana before the rescue got her & when she arrived in PA, her coat was all sorts of mottled shades of chocolate and when you combine that with her blowing her coat... egad it was a mess.

Even now, almost 2 years later, I still notice her coat gets lighter in the summer when she is outside more frequently.

**JackieN** · 03-10-2007, 10:36 AM

Hi Lexis Mom..well..this could be the case too..although we try not to leave him out for long spurts, I guess time will tell if this continues to happen. Frankly..I don't care what color he is...well..not sure I'd want a pea soup green dog..LOL..but he's beautiful no matter what color he decides to be. LOL
Thanks for the reply.. Jackie ;D

Originally Posted by Lexis Mom

Originally Posted by WeHeartLabs

He is losing that puppy coat maybe? I know Lexi- LExismom's choc- changes color also...when she is in the sun a lot her coat is a different color.

Jackie,

I can't really say about Lexi losing her puppy coat, as she was 12-18 months old when I got her from the rescue. I did learn (like WeHeartLabs said) that chocolate labs coats will bleach out when they are in the sun too much. Lexi had been a stray in Louisiana before the rescue got her & when she arrived in PA, her coat was all sorts of mottled shades of chocolate and when you combine that with her blowing her coat... egad it was a mess.

Even now, almost 2 years later, I still notice her coat gets lighter in the summer when she is outside more frequently.

**JackieN** · 03-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Ain't that the truth..growing up too fast. We are still amazed at how big he is..in just two months from the time we brought him home. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! And may I say...WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! LOL..actually..part of me is looking forward to seeing him all grown..and admiring what a great choice we made. LOL
Jackie

Originally Posted by WeHeartLabs

lol Jackie I think youre correct...he is losing that puppy down. I know Aidan's was lighter and came in a bit more "red".
It means they're growing up! TOO FAST!!!

**darkchocngold** · 03-10-2007, 11:07 AM

Maddie had a multi-colored coat from the time she was six months to one year. There were times I got really concerned about her appearance because she looked really odd. By one year she was all one color.