my labs had a litter and we have kept one of her puppies. She is stunning but she has quite a light brown coat and not a dark one... when I told a judge that i know she sounded a bit dissapointed that I kept a light coloured one... are darker chocolate labs preferred? (I asked her but she wouldnt give me a direct answer grr)

>are darker chocolate labs preferred?

Yes; generally the colour is much richer and the eyes darker, rather than the 'starey', almost yellow eyes that the lighter livers can have.

The lighter ones, as in a number of the brown/chocolate/liver coloured dogs can scorch in the sun also giving a gingery patch. Does not happen with them all but the lighter they are - the more likely it is

She has very dark brown eyes, maybe her coat will darken after her puppy shed

After looking at the photos you sent to me.. I dont think you have much to worry about.. yes.. she is slightly lighter than some would prefer.. but she is dark enough to be acceptable to most.. I cant really see the eye colouring on her.. but on the two boys they are just right... by the way.. I love those two boys on the right of the picture... :-)   Pigmentation on all the pups.. including the girl you are keeping is excellent..

I have a dark and a light, my boy (Light) coat has tinges of colour in it. Must admit i much prefer the Dark :)

I'd say that as long as the eye colour is in tone with the coat colour, then the colour of the coat shouldn't matter ;-) .................there are some pretty awful DARK chocs out there in the ring which have terrible eye colour, and in this case I'd prefer the lighter colour choc with good eye and pigment over and above a dark coat colour.................I have both shades of choc but both have good eye colour to match their coats :-)