Labrador Retrievers come in three recognized colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. While coat color genetics may sound complicated at first, it can actually be broken down into a few simple building blocks.
In Labradors, we primarily look at two different gene locations, called the B Locus and the E Locus, to determine coat color. Every puppy inherits one gene from each parent at both locations. These genes work together to decide what color the puppy will be.
Think of it like a recipe. The B Locus determines whether a dog is black or chocolate, while the E Locus controls whether that color can be seen or if it is “covered” by yellow.
Coat Color Inheritance in the Labrador Retriever
Understanding the B Locus
The B Locus determines whether a Labrador is black or chocolate.
B = Black pigment (dominant)
b = Chocolate pigment (recessive)
Because black is dominant, a dog only needs one B gene to appear black.
B Locus Examples
BB = Black Labrador that does not carry chocolate
Bb = Black Labrador that does carry chocolate
bb = Chocolate Labrador
Understanding the E Locus
The E Locus controls whether the black or chocolate color is visible.
E = Allows pigment to show
e = Masks pigment and produces yellow when two copies are present
A dog must inherit ee to be yellow.
E Locus Examples
EE = No yellow gene
Ee = Carries yellow but appears black or chocolate
ee = Yellow Labrador
How the Genes Work Together
The B and E loci combine to create the final coat color.
Black Labradors
EEBB = Basic Black (BB)
A black Labrador that does not carry chocolate or yellow.
EEBb = Black Carrying Chocolate (BC)
A black Labrador that carries the chocolate gene.
EeBB = Black Carrying Yellow (BY)
A black Labrador that carries the yellow gene.
EeBb = Black Carrying Yellow and Chocolate (BYC)
A black Labrador that carries both yellow and chocolate genes.
Yellow Labradors
Yellow Labs happen when a dog inherits ee, which masks black or chocolate pigment in the coat.
eeBB = Yellow (Yy)
A yellow Labrador that does not carry chocolate.
eeBb = Yellow Carrying Chocolate (Yc)
A yellow Labrador that carries chocolate.
eebb = Chocolate Pigmented Yellow / No Black Pigment (NBP)
Sometimes called a “Dudley.” These dogs have little to no black pigment on the nose, eye rims, and lips because they are genetically chocolate beneath the yellow coat.
Chocolate Labradors
Chocolate Labs must inherit two chocolate genes (bb).
EEbb = Chocolate (CC)
A chocolate Labrador that does not carry yellow.
Eebb = Chocolate Carrying Yellow (Cy)
A chocolate Labrador that carries yellow.
Simple Way to Remember It
B gene decides black or chocolate
ee turns the dog yellow
Black is dominant over chocolate
Yellow only appears when a puppy inherits two e genes
Why This Matters
Understanding coat color inheritance helps us as breeders predict possible puppy colors and better understand the genetics behind each litter. While coat color can be fun to learn about, health, temperament, structure, and breed quality should always remain the top priority in responsible breeding programs.