White spots on my Black Lab

[Yolie]

Onyx has a line of white fur on his chest and a small patch of white fur on his two back paws. The receptionist at the vet and our puppy trainer both said that there is "no way" Onyx can be 100% lab with these white markings. However, the woman I bought him from sold him to me as a pure bred. Does anyone else have labs with discolorations? I love him regardless, but I'd like to know for sure.

[Laura]

A small white spot on the chest is not all that uncommon, and is permissible in the show ring. There are some more common mismarks in labs, but I don't think that the white-tipped paws that your boy has are common to Labs. Is that a white beard that he has as well, or is that phot playing tricks on my eyes?

[xracer4844]

If he has white, like I can see in your picture, unfortunately I don't believe he is a purebred.

Many people at dog shows who aren't familiar with the breed ask me why he has no white on his chest etc.

[Laura]

To answer your other question, my Lab DOES have some white. I've circled it in the photo, and it amounts to about 12-15 hairs in a small spot on his chest.

[Yolie]

Thanks Laura and Xracer. Yes, he does have white on his chin too. I love him regardless. I bought him on Craigslist so I guess it's to be expected that the seller was less than honest.
Oh well. He's happy and healthy and that's all that matters.

[Yolie]

To answer your other question, my Lab DOES have some white. I've circled it in the photo, and it amounts to about 12-15 hairs in a small spot on his chest.

Beautiful!!!

[Laura]

Oh well. He's happy and healthy and that's all that matters.

Exactly! It's not like you were planning on showing him anyhow, and he will make a most excellent pet. Who knows...the person that you bought him from may have actually thought that he was 100% Lab. It is hard to tell how far down the line another dog entered the mix. I see a couple benefits to knowing what the mix is: It might help explain some behaviors that he may be having, and you might have more of an idea of what health issues to watch out for. For example, if there was a Border Collie in there some time ago, it could help explain some herding behavior or a busier personality than you were expecting. He looks like he has A LOT of Lab in him though, so who knows. He sure is a cutie pie though!!

[Yolie]

Thank you! I think he's pretty cute too!

[POPTOP]

Onyx has his own markings making his very special, one of a kind. Handsome boy!

[BaconsMom]

Onyx is 100% adorable!