White Labrador Breed Guide: Things You Must Know

A white Labrador is a Yellow Labrador Retriever with a white or very pale coat color due to the presence of the “dilute” gene. They are neither albinos nor a separate breed. Unlike their coat color, their paw pads, nose rims, and eyes retain the brown or black color. They look stunning with their distinctive white fur. White Labradors have the same friendly, trainable, and loving nature as their yellow, black, and chocolate counterparts and make great family pets.

Do White English Labs Come From Yellow Labs?

Most Labrador retrievers come in different colors: black, yellow, cream, and even fox red. The most common is black. Owners with black or yellow labs can produce puppies of different shades.

White Labradors are just a variation of yellow Labradors. The white yellow lab is just paler and lighter. Some white labs will be whiter, while others can have yellow spots. A white Labrador can come in two ways: from a yellow lab or an albino lab.

Where Do White Labradors Come From?

Yellow labs come in different shades. This range of shades has broadened through selective breeding. They range from dark rich fox red, golden, cream, and white. A white Labrador dog and a red fox lab are both considered yellow labs. All are regarded as variations of the same color.

Are White Labradors Purebred?

Yes, a white English lab is purebred. They are a part of the yellow Labrador retriever category and can register for shows.

English white lab is the offspring of the yellow lab and not a different dog breed. For example, if they have blue eyes, they are not purebred. The natural eye color of purebred white labs is dark brown.

While labs can have blue eyes because of albinism, and albino Labrador puppies cannot be registered with the American Kennel Clubs.

What Do White English Labs Look Like?

The English white Labrador is bred to maintain the usual breed standard. English white Labrador retrievers are muscular and have broad skulls and medium-length jaws.

In addition, these dogs have wide black noses with open nostrils. They have medium-sized eyes that are brown or hazel.

Also, they have proportioned ears that hang against their head. They are solid and broad, but look out for obesity issues. Another unique feature of an English white Labrador retriever is its otter tail.

A full-grown white lab has a short, dense coat with two layers. The soft undercoat is weather-resistant to keep them healthy and warm. These labs have a plate yellow coat that looks white. The coat color is uniform but can be pigmented.

How to care for white labrador retrievers?

Health

Like all dogs, White Labradors have health issues that dog owners should be aware of. These can include deafness, skin issues, and hip dysplasia. Preventive measures can help keep them healthy.

Exercise

As with other Labradors, white Labradors are high-energy dogs that need plenty of exercise and activity.

Owners should be prepared to provide them with opportunities to run, play, and explore. Take them out to the nearest dog park.

Training

While white Labradors are intelligent dogs that are relatively easy to train, they require consistent and patient training to bring out their best behaviors. You should spend time training them to be well-behaved and obedient.

Socialization

Socialization is important for white Labradors to develop good social skills and interact comfortably with other dogs and people. They are generally friendly and sociable dogs.

Grooming

Regular brushing helps keep their short, dense coat in good condition and control shedding. They also need periodic baths to clean their coats and make them dirt and debris-free.

Cost Of White Lab Retriever Puppies

A standard lab costs between $800-$3000, depending on your location and the labrador breeder. However, considering the white lab’s rareness,  expect the cost to be premium- starting from $7500 and going up to $20,000.

However, many labrador breeders still sell an American white lab at the same price as other labs. While getting a Labrador retriever white puppy, it is not advisable to get an Albino or Leucistic lab as they come with health conditions.

Are White English Labs Right For You?

The English Labrador white dog is different from other dogs, including the white American labrador, in their appearance and temperament. They are very energetic and friendly and love having people around them.

• White American labs are fun-loving, playful, and friendly. They are silly and hugely sociable.
• The English lab takes slightly longer to mature than other labs. They need to be motivated to run around.  

English labs are comparatively less energetic than other field-type dogs. They are more people-oriented and need more exercise but will relax with you later.

They are intelligent dogs but need regular mental and physical exercise. Moreover, they are eager to please and respond well to positive-reward training. Food is a huge motivator.

An English white lab is a great family dog, especially for new pet parents. They also get along well with children and other pets and socialize well.

White Lab Puppies Care Regimen

Once you get a white lab puppy, caring for your new pup will be similar to caring for a lab of any color.

1. Conducting a few trials after you get your pup home is routine.
2. The lab owners must initially focus on potty training and biting.
3. You must also create a dog-free zone for your pup to learn.
4. Grooming and brushing your lab regularly to maintain health is paramount.

Getting a lab is of great responsibility, and you should only get one if you are willing to care.

Where Can You Find White English Lab Puppies?

Black is the most common color in labradors. Considering this and the rarity of white labs among yellow labradors, they are not easy to find.

For a white lab, contact an expert breeder. Always go for a breeder who prioritizes health and temperament over color. The population of white labs is higher in English labs than in American labs. Therefore, it is suitable to speak to an English lab breeder.

Some pale labs can turn yellow as they grow. Moreover, they can have patches of other colors on their coat, especially under the ears.

What Are the Different Types Of White Labrador Retrievers?

Holistically, white labs have a white or almost white color. But the white labrador’s coat may change due to several reasons. Below are the most common types of white labs.

Yellow Labradors

White labs are yellow labs with a pale coat. They are the same as other labs because both parents had the right genes to turn their skin white.

These labs have the same nose and dark eyes as other labs. They are intelligent with the same temperament and health risks. Yellow labs range from fox red lab to white lab. The white color is just a natural color variation in the spectrum.

Albino Labradors

Albino labs are different from yellow labs that have white coats. They are white because of albinism. It is a rare genetic condition in dogs that affects color pigmentation, resulting in pale skin.

They don’t have pigmented noses and eyes and are thus distinguishable from other labs. In addition, they can have red or blue eyes. Albino labs develop health issues and have sensitive eyes that get damaged easily.

Leucistic White Labrador

Leucistic means “low pigment.” This white lab is unable to produce pigments like albinos. They have relevant cells blocked from migrating to places that need pigmentation.

The condition can affect the complete coat or certain areas like human vitiligo. Therefore, it gets difficult to distinguish from albino labs. However, their eyes are of standard color.

Silver Labrador

White and silver labs are different. Silver labs result from diluting the coat color of a brown or black lab. Silver labs are controversial as many claim them to be a disaster.

White Lab Vs. Dudley Lab

A Dudley lab is not a different breed. It is also a yellow lab but with missing pigmentation. The loss of color is primarily around their nose, eyes, and feet.

White and Dudley’s labradors have similar personality traits and temperaments, the only difference being their pigmentation. Dudley Labs will have pink noses, eyes, and feet.

White lab vs Yellow lab

Factors	White Labrador	Yellow Labrador
Color	White to light cream	Light cream to fox-red
General Appearance	Often more bulky and blocky	Can range from slender to blocky
Popularity	Less common	More common

FAQs About White Labradors

Are white labradors rare?

White labs are rare but are not recognized as a different color of the Labrador breed. Likewise, yellow labs are comparatively lesser than black labrador retrievers.

Are White Labs A Real Breed?

White and yellow labs are no different. They belong to the same breed of labrador. However, because of their coat color, they look different.

Are white labs good pets?

Yes, they are. Color doesn’t play a role. A labrador puppy is friendly and make excellent family dogs.

Is There A Difference Between A White Labrador Puppy And Other Yellow Labs?

White labs are the paler version of the yellow lab and no different from them. White labrador is recognized as a yellow labrador, as per the American Kennel Club.

What Is The Rarest Color For A Labrador?

Silver is among the rarest lab colors, as it can only come through a unique genetic combination.

Do White Labs Stay White?

A white pup might look like snow when young, but that doesn’t mean it will stay the same as they age. White labs are usually never entirely white, as many have darker ears.

Do White Labs Bark A Lot?

White labs, like other lab retrievers, are friendly and social; thus, they are not barky.