Red fox Lab- 11 “STUNNING” must know facts

The Red Fox Lab is a rare color variation of the Labrador Retriever that is more of a “yellow shade” than a color of its own. A Red Fox Lab is just like any Lab Retriever and is sociable, friendly, and makes a great family pet.

Labrador Retriever come in several colors that include;

  • Yellow
  • Black
  • Chocolate

Labs are very popular dogs and have been ranked as the most popular breed in the US since 1993, a position that they have maintained to date.

The main reason for their increased popularity is their even and friendly temperaments. They are also very intelligent and have been used to perform various roles.

There are more interesting facts about this doggy most of which we are going to cover in this guide.

Keep reading to find out more.

Red-Fox-Labs

Red Fox Lab at a glance

Red Fox Lab summary table
Height 21 to 25 inches
Weight 55 to 80 pounds
Lifespan 10-12 years 
Breed Type Sporting
Purpose Hunting
Suitable For All families
Grooming requirements Moderate
Color Variations Pale yellow, deep red
Health concerns Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and obesity
Temperament Sociable, Easygoing, Playful, Loving, Eager To Please, Loyal, Energetic, Intelligent
Other names Red Labrador Retriever 

Red Fox facts

1. They were bred to be water lovers

Labs were bred to retrieve fish and duck that had escaped during a hunt and they would do this without puncturing the skin due to the soft mouths.

They also have a thick, waterproof coat and webbed feet that made them great swimmers.

First bred in the icy Newfoundland, the popularity of these dogs increased in the 1800s when English noblemen visited Canada.

They became known as “Labradors” and the noblemen took some with them to England where breeders began to standardize them.

These dogs have had their fair share of royalty and have also had rich and famous like the Prince of Wales for centuries.

Today, Labs are used mainly as family dogs and therapy but still enjoy swimming a lot. This makes them great competitors for sports such as dock diving.

So, if you are an active individual, this pooch could make a great swimming partner for you.

fox-red-lab-puppies

Recognition:

This breed is recognized by;

  • American Kennel Club- 1917
  • United Kennel Club-1903

The Labrador Retriever Club Inc, established in 1931 to promote breed standards and healthy breeding is also the official club for this breed.

2. There are only 3 conformation colors for this dog

These colors are:

  • chocolate
  • black
  • yellow

The red fox color is a variation of the yellow color and is more of a pale yellow shade but was in earlier day darker than he is now.

These pale-yellow colors are considered to more fashionable and are were favored more.

In the process, Red Labs were bred out to what they are now.

However, Red Fox Labs are recognized as yellow Labrador and are therefore allowed in show rings. But despite this, they are marked as less favorable in confirmations ring.

A red fox Lab

3. Genetics is responsible for the Red Labrador color

Black is the main Labrador Retriever color and for the coat color to change to yellow, the genes responsible for the black and brown colors have to be “switched off.”

The genes responsible for overriding the brown and black genes are known as e genes.

They can come as ee, Ee, and EE but it is the ee combination that blocks the black Bb genes from being expressed, giving us a yellow Labrador.

However, this does not have anything to do with the reddish color? Wrong.

We have already mentioned above that the red fox color is a yellow shade. But for you to get the shade another set of genes known as A and C have to be involved.

These genes control a Pigment known as pheomelanin which in turn controls the red coloring in a Lab.

The A gene is responsible for the red color production while the C gene is responsible for dilution and expression of the color.

It is these 2 genes that work together to produce different shades from a rich fox red color to a pale yellow color. This in turn makes Labs with this red color rare.

4. The Red Fox color does not affect their personality and temperament

Some dog lovers believe that the Labrador with yellow coats is the laziest, but none of their claims can be proved.

Each dog is an individual and several factors will affect the dog’s character and behaviors which include how he is raised.

With that said, the fox red color variation does not have a different temperament from the other color variations of the Labrador.

Red Fox Labrador retriever

Some of the wonderful qualities of the Red Lab are;

  • They are playful and intelligent.
  • These dogs are eager to please which makes them great companions and therapy dogs which is made better by their gentle and loyal nature.
  • Red fox Labs have friendly dispositions and crave love and attention.
  • They are friendly to everyone they meet and don’t bond only with one person.

Although these dogs were bred to be hunting dogs, they do not have strong hunting instincts. They are also not aggressive towards other animals but some can be trained to retrieve game.

Learn how you can manage a dog with a high prey drive.

These red canines are also not known barkers and only mark when they are over-excited, threatened, or in distress.

They are great with strangers but still have to be provided with thorough socialization.

Traits Rating
Friendliness
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
exercise needs
⭐⭐⭐
Trainability
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ease of care
⭐⭐⭐
sociability
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. The Red Fox Lab gets extremely well with children and other pets

In general, Labradors are patient and gentle family dogs.

Their love and patience with children are like no other, however, they can get boisterous when they are over-excited and care should be taken when they are around small children. Supervision is always recommended.

They are great with other family pets but is some cases their prey drive can kick in. This is why you need to train and socialize these dogs to stop them to stop chasing other small household animals.

6. They do not have special grooming needs

Red Fox Labs have short and water-resistant coats that shed occasionally and blow their coats twice every year in Spring ad Autumn.

However, they do not need to be groomed differently from any other Labrador Retriever.

Their coats will need to be brushed regularly using a slicker brush to reach the undercoat, removing any dead hair that he may have.

You can also use a rubber mitt to brush the smooth coat and agitate it by brushing in both directions which removes any loose hair.

This will in turn help to minimize shedding and keep the coat healthy and shiny by the distribution of natural coat oils.

The coat should not be shaved or trimmed and this may inhibit their ability to regulate heat and will in the long run do more harm than good.

You will also ensure that your Red Labrador stays clean by bathing him after every-2 months.

The dog will also benefit from you clipping his nails to ensure that they do not get long. Other than this, you will also be required to take care of the dog’s dental hygiene by brushing his teeth and giving him dental chews.

Red-Fox-Lab-Genetics

7. A Red Fox may be prone to obesity

A recent study found that Labrador Retrievers are prone to obesity.

Watching the Labrador diet is very important to make sure that they do not gain excess weight and become obese.

You should prevent any family members of your family and friends from sneaking some treats for the Red Lab. Monitor and supervise anything that the dog has to eat.

They are also prone to bloat, which can be reduced by feeding them small amounts of food at a time.

With all that said you should make sure that you meet their dietary and nutritional needs by feeding them on high quality and balanced diets.

This can include homemade foods or store-bought kibble.

You should keep in mind that this dog was bred to be a working dog will need enough protein to keep up with his energy needs.

Red Fox Lab Daily Food Consumption
Calories 1,600
Cups of Kibble 🍗🍗🍗🍗

Red Fox Labradors

8. They will need about 60 minutes of exercise a day

Red Fox Labs will need to be exercised for about 60 minutes in a day.

Contrary to what many people believe, these dogs are not lazy and are very high energy which needs that they will need an equally active lifestyle to help them burn most of the energy.

You can do this by taking them for daily walks and spearing some time to play with him off-leash.

Visits to the dog park will also help him play with other dogs and burn out some of his energy.

They are also great swimmers which can be a great alternative to walking and it also provides the dogs with both physical and mental stimulation. However, you should make sure that the place you are taking him for swims is safe and clean.

After all, this, allow the Red Fox Lab to have a nice rest and make sure that he has a constant supply of clean water.

9. Red Labs are very intelligent and trainable

This dog has been employed for service and military work which has been mainly due to his intelligence and trainable nature.

The recommended method for training this dog is positive reinforcement, encouragement, and giving him lots of reassurance.

Socialization is also a part of the training and should not be overlooked. This will help the Red Labrador retriever to develop into a confident and well-rounded dog.

10. Red Fox Labs are not less healthy

The red color variation will not have any negative effects on the dog’s overall health.

However, he is still susceptible to health complications suffered by other Labrador colors.

They will include the following;

  • Bloat is also known as gastric dilation is common in Labradors. This condition causes the dog’s stomach to twist and fill up with gases.
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia is a condition that is caused when the hip and elbow joints are not formed correctly. This issue can be painful for the red canine and can eventually lead to lameness and arthritis.
  • Obesity is also common and you can reduce the risk by making sure that you watch your Red Lab’s diet.

11. Red Labrador puppies cost around $800

The price for a Red Fox Lab puppies can range between $800 and $1500.

However, the breeder, location, and pedigree will affect the final price with superior lines and pedigrees going for as high as $3000 for one puppy.

Litter size:

Generally, these dogs will have a litter with between 5 and 9 puppies.

These puppies take about 2 years to reach full maturity.

Age in months Weight (pounds)
3 12 to 14
6 26 to 31
9 39 to 47
12 55 to 80

Red-Fox-Labrador dogs

Frequently asked questions

What is the lifespan of a Red Fox Lab?

Typically, a Red Labrador will have a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years.

How big does a Red Fox Lab get?

Males: Will weight between 65-80 pounds and have a height of between 22-25 inches.

Females: Will weight between 55-70 pounds and have a height of between 21-24 inches.

What is the Coat appearance?

Red Labradors have short, thick, dense, and straight double coats. The undercoat is soft while the outer coat is made up of waterproof fur.

They may have short coats may but these canines shed moderately throughout the year and blow out their coat twice every year.

Generally, the coat should have a deep-red color but it is classified as a yellow shade.

These dogs can have white spots around their chests.

Red-Fox-Lab-Puppy

Are Red fox Labradors rare?

Technically, red is a rare Labrador color and is not as prevalent as the standard yellow Labrador color. Some breeders specialize in the development of these rare Red Labs but the cost will vary from one breeder to the other.

Are Vizslas and Red Labs related?

There is no scientific proof showing any relationship between the red fox Labrador Retriever and the Vizsla. Though they may look alike they are two different breeds with the Red Labrador being a color variation of the Yellow Labrador.

Does the Red Lab coat color change?

In some instances, the red Labrador color becomes lighter as he ages in the lightening may be dramatic at times. These dogs are born with a dark reddish shade but the color will not miraculously change to a yellow or a black. However, once the canine reaches about 2 years old the color will remain the same.

Breed summary

The red fox Lab is an adorable, medium to a large-sized dog that makes for a great companion and service dog.

This dog is also a great family dog and can also double as a hunting companion, helping you retrieve game.

They thrive on human attention and affection.

Their high energy also means that they should be frequently stimulated both mentally and physically.

They will also need to be groomed frequently to maintain their good looks and for their well-being.

As long as you can understand and take care of the needs of your Red Fox Lab, he will be a great family pet.

Would you also want him as a companion?

Share your thoughts and questions in the comment section below.

There you go, WOOF!