The color of a labradeur could determine its lifespan

MONDAY, Oct. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) – Bad news for Labrador Retriever chocolate lovers around the world, new studies show they have a shorter shelf life than their black and yellow cousins.

Not only that, but they also have higher rates of skin disease and ear infections.

For this study, researchers analyzed data from more than 33,000 Labradors in the UK. The results showed that, while the average lifespan of black and yellow Labrador Retrievers is 12 years, the average life of Chocolate Chocolate Labs was at least 10% shorter than that.

Compared with their counterparts, Chocolate Chocolate Laboratories were twice as likely to have ear inflammation and four times as likely to have a skin condition called a hot spot.

The results were a surprise, said senior author of the study, Paul McGreevy, a professor at the University of Sydney, Australia.

"The relationship between coat color and disease may reflect an unintended consequence of breeding some pigmentations," McGreevy said in a press release issued by a university.

"Because the color of chocolate is recessive in dogs, the gene of this color must be present in both parents so that their puppy is chocolate.The breeders targeting this color are therefore more likely to breed than bearded Labradors. of the chocolate coat gene, "he explained.

"The resulting reduced gene pool may include a greater proportion of genes that support ear and skin conditions," McGreevy added.

Of all the study laboratories, the most common health problems were obesity, ear infections and joint problems.

Nearly 9% of the Labradors in the study were overweight or obese, one of the highest percentages among dog breeds. Rates of overweight and obesity were highest among sterilized male labs.

The report was published online on October 21 in the journal Canine genetics and epidemiology.

More information

The American Kennel Club has more on Labrador Retrievers.