11/07/2025
We have a brindle point lab
Shadow has a very rare coat pattern, and is what is called a mis-marked lab. He is still a purebred lab but due to mom and dad's genetics, he inherited two recessive color genes!
Shadow has brindle points!!! The colors sre just starting to really show.
I can't recall which puppies, but there were 2 in Cinder and Stouts previous litter. If you got one of the brindle point labs from the Alaska litter, show us your pictures!
Brindle point charcoal labs are very rare because brindle is not a standard color for the breed, and the "charcoal" color is a dilution of black that requires a separate, recessive gene. Both brindle (kbr) and dilution (d) genes must be present and expressed at the same time for this specific color to appear. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Brindle and charcoal inheritance
• Brindle: A lab needs two copies of a recessive brindle gene (kbr) to show the pattern, which is why it's rare. The K gene is dominant over the gene, and a dog must inherit the recessive version from both parents to display brindle.
• Charcoal: This is a dilution of the black pigment, caused by a recessive gene (d).
• Point: The "point" part of the name indicates a tan point, which requires another set of genes (A locus) to be present.
• Combined rarity: For a dog to be a brindle point charcoal lab, it must have the specific genetic combination for brindle, the specific genetic combination for charcoal, and the genetic factors for tan points to be expressed, making them an extremely rare combination. [1, 2, 5, 6, 7]
Why they are not standard
• Brindle is not a standard color in Labrador Retriever breed standards, so breeders don't breed for it.
• Because it's a non-standard color, it is not considered desirable in the show ring and can be seen as a genetic variation that is not bred for intentionally. [2, 3]
[1] https://heigelmonkies.com/2019/01/25/brindle-labs/
[2] https://www.quora.com/How-rare-are-brindle-labrador-dogs
[3] https://www.quora.com/I-have-a-black-and-tan-Labrador-puppy-Is-it-a-rare-colour-And-if-yes-how-much-should-be-the-selling-price
[4] https://www.facebook.com/GuideDogsAustralia/posts/have-you-met-our-latest-brindle-labrador-puppy-lexas-a-brindle-pup-lex-has-uniqu/866397335531779/
[5] https://www.guidingeyes.org/journey-of-a-guide-dog/breeding-and-genetics/black-and-tan-labradors/
[6] https://forums.horseandhound.co.uk/threads/brindle-and-black-and-tan-labs.509902/
[7] https://www.petscare.com/news/faq/what-is-the-rarest-brindle-color
