Dudley labradors are relatively rare. They are a type of yellow lab, with reduced pigmentation in some areas. This gives them a pink nose and blue eyes.
Dudley Labrador Facts
The Dudley Labrador is a type of Labrador retriever. They can be either a field Labrador, or an English labrador. They get their unique look thanks to their genetics.
Labrador History
The Labrador was first created in the 1500s. They were originally called St. Johns water dogs. They were made by breeding small water dogs with Newfoundlands. They were are also known as lesser newfoundlands, due to their smaller size.
As the name suggests, St. Johns water dogs were excellent for working in the water. They would haul in fishing nets full of fish, and retrieve fish lost from hooks.
They were perfectly suited for the frigid waters that fisherman greatly wanted to avoid taking a dip in.
They lived exclusively in Newfoundland for years, until they were brought to Poole England, in the 1800s. The Earl and Duke of Malmesbury fell in love with the dogs, and brought them home.
They soon learned that they were excellent shooting dogs. They began referring to them as Labradors, rather than water dogs. For reasons unknown, this is the name that stuck, and the Labrador retriever was originally born.
They were recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1903. They were recognized by the AKC in 1917.
They became popular duck hunting companions in the U.S. in the early 1900s. Their affinity for the water and intelligence made them perfect for hunters. The hunters soon noticed that they seemed to never tire.
Labrador Occupations
Labradors have many fascinating jobs today. They are still popular with shooters, particularly duck hunters. They are used by police as bomb and drug detection dogs, and search and rescue crews to help locate missing people.
They are excellent service dogs as well. They are well known for their role as seeing eye dogs, which help blind people move around in the world.
They can be trained to load a washing machine, and help their owners dress. Some have been trained to retrieve money from ATMs, and even call 911 in emergencies.
Dudley Labrador Appearance
The Dudley Labrador has a unique appearance which sets it apart from other labs. They are a yellow Labrador. However, most labs have dark colored noses, mouths, and paw pads.
Dudley Labs, on the other hand, have a lack of pigment in these areas, which causes them to have a pink nose, paw pads, and lips. It also affects their eyes, which will be a light blue or teal.
They may be confused with albinos, but this isn’t accurate. They can be considered partial albinos, because they only have a lack of pigment in certain areas.
Dudley Labrador Genetics
There are three basic colors of Labrador. These are black, chocolate, and yellow. There’s two loci that affect their color.
The first loci is B. A BB or Bb lab is black, because black is dominant. If the pooch inherits a bb, they will be chocolate.
However, there’s also the E loci, which can actually be dominant over black. If a pooch inherits eeBB or eeBb, they will be yellow.
The E loci controls whether these pooches are chocolate or yellow. Chocolate is dominant, so if they have an EE or an Ee, they will be chocolate colored. If they have ee, they will be yellow.
So, labs with ee will be yellow, even if they have a dominant B gene. If they only have one “e”, they will be brown or black. So, a dog with eEBb would be black. A dog with eEbb, would be brown.
Now for the part that makes a Dudlely Labrador a Dudley. Their genetic makeup is eebb. This results in less melanin produced in the nose, paw, and mouth area.
Dudley Labrador and the AKC Breed Standard
The AKC has specific standards that must be met for full registration. Not meeting the standard doesn’t mean the pooch isn’t pure bred, s8mply that it doesn’t meet the breed standard.
The standard exists to maintain the desired look and temperament of the dog.
When it comes to labradores, pink noses aren’t allowed. The breed standard states that they must be chocolate or black.
Dudley Labrador Price
Dudley Labradors are a bit more expensive than the average lab. The average price for a Labrador is $800 to $2,000 for an AKC registered puppy.
Dudleys are rare, so they tend to be more expensive. You can expect them to be $2,500 to $3,000.
Dudley Labrador Rarity
Labrador retrievers are the most common and popular dogs in the U.S. However, the Dudley is not so common.
Dudley labradors are the rarest color of lab. This is because it requires them to have two recessive genes. This is a natural occurrence, but it’s rare because the odds of other colors are much higher.
Dudley Labrador Life expectancy
Dudley Labradors have the same life expectancy as other labs, which is 12 years on average. They can live for 10 years to 13 years, with labs occasionally reaching their 14th birthday.
Dudley Labrador Size and weight
Dudley labradors are medium to large sized pooches. They can have some variation in their size and weight.
There’s some difference between the two types of labs, which are field labs and English labs. Field labs are bred for working. They are a bit more athletic and slim than their English counterparts.
Female English labs weigh 60 to 70 pounds, and 21 to 24 inches tall. Males weigh 70 to 80 pounds, and reach 22 to 25 inches tall.
Field labs are a bit lighter. Females can weigh 55 to 70 pounds, and males can weigh 65 to 80 pounds.
Dudley Labrador Health
Dudley Labradors are considered healthy. Their light colored nose has no impact on their health, so they are as healthy as other labs who are yellow or black.
Color can make a difference in a labs health, with chocolate labs being more prone to certain diseases.
Genetic testing has reduced the numbers of dogs born with genetic disorders in recent years. It’s considered part of responsible breeding to get dogs tested for genetic heath conditions, and avoid breeding those with health issues that can be passed on to their offspring.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and elbow dysplasia is a common problem for most medium and large sized breeds. This includes the Dudley Labrador. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint doesn’t form correctly.
This causes pain and stiffness, which can affect their range of motion and movement.
It’s a genetic condition, but lifestyle also plays a role. A healthy diet and weight, and exercise can reduce the risk or severity of the condition.
Obesity
Obesity affects over 50% of dogs in America today. Just like humans, dogs who are overweight or obese are at a higher risk of health disorders.
These include diabetes, heart failure, and joint problems. Obesity can be prevented with a healthy diet and exercise. If your lab is overweight, yu should work with your vet to create a diet plan.
Bloat
Bloat is a concern for all dogs, particularly medium to large sized breeds. It occurs when the gas from digestion can’t be released from the stomach. This causes bloating and severe pain.
It can also cause the dog to retch or gag, without productive vomiting. If treated early, most labs recover well from bloat. However, if they dont’ get prompt treatment, the stomach can twist.
This is known as gastric torsion, and is fatal in about 50% of cases.
Ear Infections
Dudley labs have floppy ears that are adorable, but they can become infected.
Ear infections can cause your pooch to howl, scratch at their ear, or rub their head on the ground. You may also notice a yeasty odor coming from their ear.
They are painful, and they can interfere with your dog’s hearing, and even their sense of balance. Ear infections should be treated by your vet to avoid complications.
Heart Diseases
There are a few heart diseases that can affect Dudley Labradors. Nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy is related to a grain free diet, often including peas or legumes. If caught in the early stages, it can be reversed with a balanced diet.
Tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD) occurs when the blood flows back into the heart. It causes it to become enlarged.
Signs of heart problems in labs include lethargy, difficulty breathing, and coughing. However, they can be asymptomatic as well.
Dudley Labrador Behavior/Characteristics
Dudley Labradors are very friendly and energetic. You can expect them to be eager to please, and always ready for a game of fetch. They are incredibly gentle, which makes them great for families.
Their love of people, particularly their owners, also makes them an excellent choice. They will fall in love with everyone in the household.
How to care for a Dudley Labrador
Labradors are born to work, which requires lots of energy. This means they also need plenty of exercise.
Some labs need more exercise than others. Generally, field Labradors are more energetic than English labs, but this also varies from dog to dog.
Most will need at least 1 hour a day of moderate to strenuous exercise. Some are laid back, and do well with 45 minutes of activity a day. Energetic labs can require 1 1/2 to 2 hours of exercise daily.
You can exercise your Labrador by jogging, playing fetch, or tug of war. They also love hikes, and of course, swimming. You will need to be prepared to let them run or swim. Leisurely strolls usually aren’t enough to wear them out on their own.
Mental Stimulation
Dudley labs need plenty fo mental stimulation. They are, after all, working dogs. Just like humans, they need to exercise their mind, and feel a sense of a job well done.
They dont’ have to have a serious job like retrieving ducks or sniffing bombs, but they do need some mental activity to be happy. This can be as simple as “babysitting” the children, or learning new commands.
Games like fetch and puzzle toys can also help occupy their mind.
Grooming
Labs have a double coat, but they are still relatively easy to groom. A quick brush once or twice a week is usually all that’s needed to keep their coat in good order.
They do shed in the spring and fall. During this time their undercoat is replaced, to prepare for changing weather conditions. You’ll need to brush them daily when they are shedding. This reduces the amount of yellow hair everywhere, and speeds the shedding process.
How do you buy a Dudley Labrador?
When buying a Dudley Labrador, it’s important to be aware of their status. You can buy a registered Dudley Labrador as a pet. However, you can not breed them.
Technically, you can, but you won’t be able to register the pups. Breeding Dudley’s is strongly discouraged, because it doesn’t meet the breed standard.
The other thing you should know is that you can’t show your Dudley in confirmation shows. Again, this is because the Dudley doesn’t match up to the AKC standards for the breed.
Finding a Dudley Labrador
Buying a dudely lab can be difficult for a few reasons. First, many breeders do their best to avoid dudleys in their litter. Some will do genetic testing, and avoid breeding dogs who could produce dudleys.
Second, dudleys are rare because of their recessive genes.
If you want a Dudley, you may find a breeder who specializes in dudleys. However, this is very rare, particularly among ethical breeders. You may also find a hobby breeder, or even someone who didn’t intend to breed their lab.
These accidental pups make it more likely that there will be a Dudley, simply because the breeder isn’t trying to avoid one.
You’ll need to use caution when buying a Dudley lab. Breeders who are unethical or simply uneducated are more likely to produce pup with health issues due to poor breeding practices.