Quote Originally Posted by cali
newsflash! breeding for chocolate, yellow, and black IS breeding for COLOUR. if you were truly against breeding for colour then it would not even be factored into the equation, UNLESS it posed a health risk, but silver colour and mismarks dont affect the dogs ability to pick up a duck, until it inhibates the dogs ability to work, WHO CARES.
I have never heard of a Silver Lab coming from a breeding of two normal color Labs by reputable breeders. If this has happened, correct me please. But at this point it is still up in the air as to where the silver comes from -- is it natural or does it come from Weims?

Until we know this for sure there is no good reason to breed Silver Labs. However, if this color is proved to be carried by Labs than I see no reason to exclude them from breeding programs.

You are right about this mismarks, however most people who want a Lab want it to LOOK like a Lab. I for one would not buy from a breeder who is breeding mis-marked dogs, because if I am putting out thousands of dollars for it I want it to look the way it's supposed to. If one crops up in a litter, fine, but don't breed it. Conformation preserves the breed so that it will look the same 100 years from now.