I want to help you understand some basics about coat color in dogs here. First you need to know that there are 2 types of genetics we are talking about here.
Testing genes for parentage is a totally different type of testing. This type of testing is to test a dog for the color it carries, not parentage. This way we can match up a pair for breeding to obtain the colors we are wanting. Make sense?
Below are the explanations of the colors. I will try to put it in to different forms for explanation
There will always be 2 copies of any gene
The gene labeled dilute, is the gene that is responsible for the Labs being Silver.
Silver Labs are actually registered as chocolates with the AKC.
Chocolates are diluted colors also, let me try to explain in a simple form
Primary colors are Black and red.
The dilute of black is blue/dilute/silver
The dilute of red is chocolate
Dominate genes are shown with capital letters and diluted/recessive genes are lower case letters
D/D Non-diluteThe dog carries two copies of the dominant "D" allele. The dog will express a normal, non-dilute coat color and will always pass on a copy of the "D" allele to all offspring.D/d Carrier of diluteBoth the dominant and recessive alleles detected. The dog will have a normal, non-dilute coat and is a carrier of the dilute coat colour. The dog can pass either allele on to any offspring.d/d DiluteThe dog has two copies of the recessive "d" allele and will have a dilute coloured coat. He will always pass on a copy of the dilute allele on to any offspring.
The MLPH gene codes for a protein called melanophilin, which is responsible for transporting and fixing melanin-containing cells. A mutation in this gene leads to improper distribution of these cells, causing a dilute coat colour. This mutation is recessive so two copies of the mutated gene (or "d" allele) are needed to produce the dilute coat colour.
This mutation affects both eumelanin and phaeomelanin pigments, so black, brown and yellow dogs are all affected by the dilution. However, this effect is more pronounced in black dogs. A dilute black (BB or Bb) dog is generally known as blue, though names do vary for different breeds, such as charcoal or grey. A diluted chocolate (bb) dog is often referred to as a lilac and a diluted yellow (ee) is known as a champagne.
Because the mutation responsible for the dilution phenotype is recessive, a dog can be a carrier of the dilution gene and still appear to have a normal coat colour. These dogs can pass on either the full-coloured or dilute allele to any offspring. This means that two dogs that appear full-coloured can have a dilute puppy. This makes DNA testing for the D-Locus an important breeding tool, whether breeding for a dilute coat, or to avoid it.
Please be aware that dilute dogs can have alopecia
E locus The E locus is responsible for the black mask seen in many breeds, and more significantly, for the presence of the yellow to red coats of many dogs. The gene involved is known as MC1-R, which has at least three versions affecting the appearance of the dog, E, Em, and e. Dogs with two copies of e will be yellow, orange or red in their pigmented coat regardless of their genotype at all the other loci
Research at VetGen and independently at the University of Saskatchewan has identified two new alleles in the E locus, Eg and Eh. These mutations are responsible for a reverse mask or widow's peak appearance in the "domino" Afghan Hound and "grizzle" Saluki (Eg), as well as the "sable" English Cocker Spaniel (Eh). Research continues to determine if they are responsible for similar appearance in additional breeds.
Test for "e" Analysis proves absence or presence of the mutation typically responsible for yellow, lemon, red, cream, apricot and some white in at least the following breeds and all dogs with these breeds in their lineage:
Afghan, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Beagle, Brittany Spaniel, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chinese Shar-pei, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Foxhound, French Bulldog, German Longhaired Pointer, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Lowchen, Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pudelpointer.
Test for Em Analysis reveals whether a dog with a mask has one or two copies of this version of the extension locus. Animals with a single copy can produce offspring with or without a mask, while those with two copies will only produce masked offspring. The test may also be applied to black dogs where it may not be possible to tell if there is a mask. It may be present in the following breeds and all dogs with them in their lineage:
Afghan, Belgian Shepherd, Boxer, Bull Mastiff, Cairn Terrier, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chihuahua, Chinese Shar-pei, English Bulldog,German Shepherd, Great Dane, Greyhound, Lakenois, Pekinese, Pug, Saint Bernard, Saluki, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,Whippet.
Test for Eg and/or Eh Analysis reveals the absence or presence of the mutations responsible for "grizzle" in Salukis and "domino" in Afghans (Eg) or "sable" and "dirty red" in English Cocker Spaniels (Eh).
B Locus The B locus is responsible for the presence of brown, chocolate, or liver animals. It is also responsible for nose color. The gene associated with this locus is known as TYRP1. In breeds where the A locus does not come into play, any animal that has at least one B allele (and is not "ee"), will be black in pigmented coat. Those dogs, which have two copies of any of several b alleles will be brown. There are at least three such b alleles. Regardless of other loci, any animal with at least one B allele will have a black nose and pads, while those with any two b alleles will have a liver nose and pads.
Test for b This test analyzes whether an animal has 0, 1 or 2 copies of the mutations typically responsible for brown, which is also known in some breeds as liver, chocolate, sedge, and less frequently, red. There are three primary "b" mutations that are responsible for nearly every liver or chocolate dog. A notable exception is the French Bulldog where in addition to these three mutations, there is a fourth cause of chocolate that has yet to be identified.
It can be present at least, but not exclusively, in the following breeds:
Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd,Bedlington Terrier, Border Collie, Brittany Spaniel,Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chihuahua, Chinese,Shar-pei, Cocker Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever,Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher,English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter,English Springer Spaniel,Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog,German Longhaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer,Labrador Retriever, Lowchen,Miniature Pinscher,Newfoundland Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pudelpointer,Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier,Weimaraner, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Also:
Any dogs that contain these breeds in their lineage.
K Locus The K locus plays a pivotal role in coat color. This locus is a relative newcomer in our understanding of canine color, and includes traits formerly attributed by some to other genes.
The dominant allele in the series is KB, which is responsible for self-coloring, or solid colored fur in pigmented areas. This trait was formerly attributed to the Agouti (A) locus as AS, but recent breeding studies had shown this not to be the case.
There are two other alleles, kbr, and ky. KB is dominant to both kbr and ky, while kbr is dominant only to ky. kbr is responsible for the brindle trait and for a long time had been considered to belong in the E locus. Recent breeding studies had also shown this to be incorrect. The recessive allele, ky, allows the basic patterns of the A locus to be expressed. So too does the kbr allele, but with brindling of any tan, fawn, or tawny areas.
Any animal with at least one KB allele will be self-colored.
Any animal with at least one kbr allele, and no KB allele will be brindled on agouti background (see A locus).
Any animal with two ky alleles will show agouti patterns (see A locus).
The mutations responsible for these alleles were identified and described primarily by Sophie Candille in the laboratory of Dr. Greg Barsh at Stanford University.
Test for KB and ky Vetgen can presently test for these two alleles. In some breeds, where no brindle is present, this represents a complete analysis of the locus. An example would be the Pug. In breeds where the breed standard disqualifies all but self-colored dogs, testing for these two alleles is once again all that is needed. Any animal with two KB alleles cannot produce anything except self-colored offspring. A prime example here is the Labrador retriever. In breeds where many variations are allowed, these tests can help predict the probability of potential litters to include fawn, sable, tawny, tan point, tricolor or recessive black puppies.
KB KBself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)KB kbrself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)KB kyself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)kbr kbrallows A locus to express (tan point, tricolor, fawn, sable, tawny) with brindlingkbr kyallows A locus to express (tan point, tricolor, fawn, sable, tawny) with brindlingky kyallows expression of agouti patterns without brindlingA Locus The A locus is responsible for a number of common coat patterns in the dog. Expression of all of them requires any combination of two ky or Kbr alleles at the K locus, and at least one E or Em allele at the E locus. The gene involved is the Agouti gene, and variations in it are responsible for fawn and sable dogs (Ay), wild type (aw), tan points (at), and recessive black(a).
Test for Ay Analysis proves absence or presence of the mutation typically responsible for fawn or sable. In fawn/ sable dogs this test shows if other agouti alleles are present but hidden (only one copy of Ay). It also demonstrates how many copies of this allele are hidden in dogs, which cannot express agouti types (KBKB, KBkbr, KBky, at the k locus and/or "ee" at the E locus).
Information on white marks, known as mismarks, splashing etc..
This link will provide more information about the Tri colored (Tan Points like a Doberman or Rotty) Labrador Retrievers
http://labradornet.com/brindletanpoint.html
This link will provide more information about the Bolo spotting ( White on the chest and/or Paws)
http://labradornet.com/bolopads.html
Of course on this same web site above, you can read their reasons for not breeding the Silver Labs.
Personally we here at Silverplatedlabs.com feel Jack (maintainer of the web site above) is just a silver hater and we do not agree with his reasons for not liking the Silvers.
We feel any color of dog can have issues if not bred correctly.
We also want you to be informed of Silver haters, as there are a lot out there!
More information on Silvers
http://www.truthaboutsilverlabs.com/the-origin-debate/
Testing genes for parentage is a totally different type of testing. This type of testing is to test a dog for the color it carries, not parentage. This way we can match up a pair for breeding to obtain the colors we are wanting. Make sense?
Below are the explanations of the colors. I will try to put it in to different forms for explanation
There will always be 2 copies of any gene
The gene labeled dilute, is the gene that is responsible for the Labs being Silver.
Silver Labs are actually registered as chocolates with the AKC.
Chocolates are diluted colors also, let me try to explain in a simple form
Primary colors are Black and red.
The dilute of black is blue/dilute/silver
The dilute of red is chocolate
Dominate genes are shown with capital letters and diluted/recessive genes are lower case letters
D/D Non-diluteThe dog carries two copies of the dominant "D" allele. The dog will express a normal, non-dilute coat color and will always pass on a copy of the "D" allele to all offspring.D/d Carrier of diluteBoth the dominant and recessive alleles detected. The dog will have a normal, non-dilute coat and is a carrier of the dilute coat colour. The dog can pass either allele on to any offspring.d/d DiluteThe dog has two copies of the recessive "d" allele and will have a dilute coloured coat. He will always pass on a copy of the dilute allele on to any offspring.
The MLPH gene codes for a protein called melanophilin, which is responsible for transporting and fixing melanin-containing cells. A mutation in this gene leads to improper distribution of these cells, causing a dilute coat colour. This mutation is recessive so two copies of the mutated gene (or "d" allele) are needed to produce the dilute coat colour.
This mutation affects both eumelanin and phaeomelanin pigments, so black, brown and yellow dogs are all affected by the dilution. However, this effect is more pronounced in black dogs. A dilute black (BB or Bb) dog is generally known as blue, though names do vary for different breeds, such as charcoal or grey. A diluted chocolate (bb) dog is often referred to as a lilac and a diluted yellow (ee) is known as a champagne.
Because the mutation responsible for the dilution phenotype is recessive, a dog can be a carrier of the dilution gene and still appear to have a normal coat colour. These dogs can pass on either the full-coloured or dilute allele to any offspring. This means that two dogs that appear full-coloured can have a dilute puppy. This makes DNA testing for the D-Locus an important breeding tool, whether breeding for a dilute coat, or to avoid it.
Please be aware that dilute dogs can have alopecia
E locus The E locus is responsible for the black mask seen in many breeds, and more significantly, for the presence of the yellow to red coats of many dogs. The gene involved is known as MC1-R, which has at least three versions affecting the appearance of the dog, E, Em, and e. Dogs with two copies of e will be yellow, orange or red in their pigmented coat regardless of their genotype at all the other loci
Research at VetGen and independently at the University of Saskatchewan has identified two new alleles in the E locus, Eg and Eh. These mutations are responsible for a reverse mask or widow's peak appearance in the "domino" Afghan Hound and "grizzle" Saluki (Eg), as well as the "sable" English Cocker Spaniel (Eh). Research continues to determine if they are responsible for similar appearance in additional breeds.
Test for "e" Analysis proves absence or presence of the mutation typically responsible for yellow, lemon, red, cream, apricot and some white in at least the following breeds and all dogs with these breeds in their lineage:
Afghan, Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Beagle, Brittany Spaniel, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chinese Shar-pei, Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter, English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Foxhound, French Bulldog, German Longhaired Pointer, German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer, Irish Setter, Labrador Retriever, Lowchen, Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Pudelpointer.
Test for Em Analysis reveals whether a dog with a mask has one or two copies of this version of the extension locus. Animals with a single copy can produce offspring with or without a mask, while those with two copies will only produce masked offspring. The test may also be applied to black dogs where it may not be possible to tell if there is a mask. It may be present in the following breeds and all dogs with them in their lineage:
Afghan, Belgian Shepherd, Boxer, Bull Mastiff, Cairn Terrier, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chihuahua, Chinese Shar-pei, English Bulldog,German Shepherd, Great Dane, Greyhound, Lakenois, Pekinese, Pug, Saint Bernard, Saluki, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,Whippet.
Test for Eg and/or Eh Analysis reveals the absence or presence of the mutations responsible for "grizzle" in Salukis and "domino" in Afghans (Eg) or "sable" and "dirty red" in English Cocker Spaniels (Eh).
B Locus The B locus is responsible for the presence of brown, chocolate, or liver animals. It is also responsible for nose color. The gene associated with this locus is known as TYRP1. In breeds where the A locus does not come into play, any animal that has at least one B allele (and is not "ee"), will be black in pigmented coat. Those dogs, which have two copies of any of several b alleles will be brown. There are at least three such b alleles. Regardless of other loci, any animal with at least one B allele will have a black nose and pads, while those with any two b alleles will have a liver nose and pads.
Test for b This test analyzes whether an animal has 0, 1 or 2 copies of the mutations typically responsible for brown, which is also known in some breeds as liver, chocolate, sedge, and less frequently, red. There are three primary "b" mutations that are responsible for nearly every liver or chocolate dog. A notable exception is the French Bulldog where in addition to these three mutations, there is a fourth cause of chocolate that has yet to be identified.
It can be present at least, but not exclusively, in the following breeds:
Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd,Bedlington Terrier, Border Collie, Brittany Spaniel,Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Chihuahua, Chinese,Shar-pei, Cocker Spaniel, Curly Coated Retriever,Dachshund, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher,English Cocker Spaniel, English Setter,English Springer Spaniel,Field Spaniel, Flat-Coated Retriever, Fox Terrier, French Bulldog,German Longhaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer,Labrador Retriever, Lowchen,Miniature Pinscher,Newfoundland Pointer, Pomeranian, Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog, Pudelpointer,Scottish Terrier, Skye Terrier,Weimaraner, Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.
Also:
Any dogs that contain these breeds in their lineage.
K Locus The K locus plays a pivotal role in coat color. This locus is a relative newcomer in our understanding of canine color, and includes traits formerly attributed by some to other genes.
The dominant allele in the series is KB, which is responsible for self-coloring, or solid colored fur in pigmented areas. This trait was formerly attributed to the Agouti (A) locus as AS, but recent breeding studies had shown this not to be the case.
There are two other alleles, kbr, and ky. KB is dominant to both kbr and ky, while kbr is dominant only to ky. kbr is responsible for the brindle trait and for a long time had been considered to belong in the E locus. Recent breeding studies had also shown this to be incorrect. The recessive allele, ky, allows the basic patterns of the A locus to be expressed. So too does the kbr allele, but with brindling of any tan, fawn, or tawny areas.
Any animal with at least one KB allele will be self-colored.
Any animal with at least one kbr allele, and no KB allele will be brindled on agouti background (see A locus).
Any animal with two ky alleles will show agouti patterns (see A locus).
The mutations responsible for these alleles were identified and described primarily by Sophie Candille in the laboratory of Dr. Greg Barsh at Stanford University.
Test for KB and ky Vetgen can presently test for these two alleles. In some breeds, where no brindle is present, this represents a complete analysis of the locus. An example would be the Pug. In breeds where the breed standard disqualifies all but self-colored dogs, testing for these two alleles is once again all that is needed. Any animal with two KB alleles cannot produce anything except self-colored offspring. A prime example here is the Labrador retriever. In breeds where many variations are allowed, these tests can help predict the probability of potential litters to include fawn, sable, tawny, tan point, tricolor or recessive black puppies.
KB KBself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)KB kbrself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)KB kyself-colored (solid color in pigmented areas)kbr kbrallows A locus to express (tan point, tricolor, fawn, sable, tawny) with brindlingkbr kyallows A locus to express (tan point, tricolor, fawn, sable, tawny) with brindlingky kyallows expression of agouti patterns without brindlingA Locus The A locus is responsible for a number of common coat patterns in the dog. Expression of all of them requires any combination of two ky or Kbr alleles at the K locus, and at least one E or Em allele at the E locus. The gene involved is the Agouti gene, and variations in it are responsible for fawn and sable dogs (Ay), wild type (aw), tan points (at), and recessive black(a).
Test for Ay Analysis proves absence or presence of the mutation typically responsible for fawn or sable. In fawn/ sable dogs this test shows if other agouti alleles are present but hidden (only one copy of Ay). It also demonstrates how many copies of this allele are hidden in dogs, which cannot express agouti types (KBKB, KBkbr, KBky, at the k locus and/or "ee" at the E locus).
Information on white marks, known as mismarks, splashing etc..
This link will provide more information about the Tri colored (Tan Points like a Doberman or Rotty) Labrador Retrievers
http://labradornet.com/brindletanpoint.html
This link will provide more information about the Bolo spotting ( White on the chest and/or Paws)
http://labradornet.com/bolopads.html
Of course on this same web site above, you can read their reasons for not breeding the Silver Labs.
Personally we here at Silverplatedlabs.com feel Jack (maintainer of the web site above) is just a silver hater and we do not agree with his reasons for not liking the Silvers.
We feel any color of dog can have issues if not bred correctly.
We also want you to be informed of Silver haters, as there are a lot out there!
More information on Silvers
http://www.truthaboutsilverlabs.com/the-origin-debate/