Chrissy My Chocolate Lab

Welcome! I created this page in honor of my sweet chocolate lab puppy. Chrissy is a breed of dog called Labrador Retriever, and as one of the most popular breeds in the US, you have probably already heard of her breed! The AKC and breed clubs recognize three different colors of labs: chocolate, black, and yellow. You can read more about my Chrissy below as well as find a lot of information on labs, including some history, breed characteristics, and information on the controversial "silver" lab color.

Chrissy is the star of this lens! I will try to update with new photos every now and then!

Labs are known for their gentleness, intelligence, and determination. As such, labs make excellent family dogs! Because labs are very eager to please their masters they also make wonderful service, hunting, sporting, companion, and show dogs. Labs are very smart and are quick to learn with positive reinforcement. Characterized as being a strongly built, medium-sized dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation, the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion. A distinguishing characteristic is the lab's short, dense, weather-resistant coat, thick and powerful "otter" tail, and its kind, friendly eyes which express character, intelligence, and good temperament. Labrador Retrievers also have webbed feet, which make them excellent swimmers.

A bit of breed history: The Labrador Retriever breed was originally from Newfoundland, where they were beneficial to fishermen. Labs helped pull in fishing nets and also caught wayward fish that jumped from the fishing lines. After being crossed with setters, spaniels, and other retrievers, the Labrador Retriever was then bred for retrieving game, although its temperament suited it for a variety of other purposes as well.

The AKC and breed clubs recognize Yellow, Chocolate, and Black coat colors. Yellow coats vary from pale (almost white) to fox-red yellow, chocolate coat darkness also varies.

Chrissy came into my life at a very sad time. My family had recently put our 13.5 year old yellow lab, Jessica (that's her in the photo at right), to sleep. She had lived a long and happy life, but was crippled by her arthritis and could no longer walk. This was a very sad day for me, but I know Jessica will always live in my heart and I will never forget her. Shortly after losing my sweet girl, my family realized how empty our lives and house seemed without a dog's happy face. We decided on a breeder who had a litter of 10 week old pups, and the only female puppy in the whole litter was a little chocolate! She was an adorable puppy, and from the moment I saw her, I was in love. She was friendly and very sweet, just as a healthy puppy should be. The first thing she did was run up to me and give me a puppy kiss! Chrissy's name is short for Christmas because we got her around the holiday season.

Caring for Chrissy has been very rewarding, but has also been a lot of work. There is no myth in the belief that puppies are mischievous! Chrissy is a quick learner and she learned basic commands at a young age, and thanks to me and my family's diligence, she was house-trained effectively. Chrissy is also crate trained, and she loves napping in her crate and sleeping all night in her crate like a big girl! She is always ready for adventure! A long run, a game of fetch, chasing birds & critters, or chewing her Kong. Like most labs, she has A LOT of energy and needs plenty of exercise. :)

Chrissy:

Born: 15 September 2010

Gotcha: 27 November 2010

Chrissy's current age:

I am providing this as a reference, so you can get an idea of how quickly lab puppies grow. The final weight of your puppy can be roughly estimated by doubling his/her 4-month-old weight. My vet informed me that a puppy Chrissy's size would gain about 10 lbs. a month until around five or six months of age. Chrissy's weight as of last vet visit:

Age - Weight

11 weeks - 16.00 pounds

15 weeks - 26.30 pounds

16 weeks - 29.60 pounds

22 weeks - 43.00 pounds

25 weeks - 48.00 pounds

10 months - 71.00 pounds

Silver Labrador Retrievers

Silver is not a recognized color by the AKC, and despite the popularity of the Labrador breed around the world, the silver color has never been produced anywhere but in the United States. Silver is not a chocolate mutation, but a diluted chocolate. "Dilution genes" are carried by all dogs but they are found in the dominant form in most breeds including the general population of Labradors. Only through selected breeding have some breeds come to have the dilution genes "turned on" and thus in the recessive form. Weimeraners always have two recessive copies - they are liver (chocolate) dogs that are diluted. It is widely believed that at some point, a chocolate lab and Weimeraner bred to produce the silver color. Early on, very closely related dogs were bred to select for the color (mother to son, father to daughter, brothers and sisters).

Silver labs have been bred for appearances only, therefore most breeders do not offer any/many health guarantees (such as OFA hip and elbow) and there are no standards for breeding quality. When you purchase a dog that has been bred only for color, you will pay too much for it and will be more likely to end up with a dog that is inferior in both health and temperament.

For an excellent explanation of silver labs please click HERE.

Is your lab a landlubber?

Chrissy was a winter puppy. She was born in September and after a harsh winter in upstate NY she is truly enjoying summer in the country! Chrissy loves the water and I hope to take her swimming soon -- she also likes chasing all the butterflies, moths, and other critters she sees. Keeping her out of trouble can be a challenge, but worth every minute! She continues to be a lap-doggy, even though she weighs around 65 pounds. Chrissy just loves being loved and around people -- she follows me everywhere I go. Soon she will be going on her biggest adventure yet: hiking and camping!! I am just enjoying every minute with my sweet chocolate girl.

Do you have a lab? Want a lab? Share your stories and comments here!