8 Fun Facts About The Red Fox Lab Dog Breed

Last Updated on November 6, 2021 by Dogs Vets

8 Fun Facts About The Red Fox Lab Dog Breed

If you’ve never heard of the Red Fox Labrador Retriever, then you are in for a treat.

Mysterious and rare, with a bit of controversy, get ready to meet some of the goodest boys and girls you could ever hope to meet. And what better way to get to know such a fantastic new dog than with eight fun facts about them! 

1. The Red Fox Coat Is Recessive 

Thanks to the writers at Tindog, we know that the Red Fox Labrador Retriever’s unique coat color is in thanks to their rare and recessive genetics.

In fact, both Labrador parents have to display the red coat to ensure their puppies will as well. Mix a traditional yellow lab with a red fox lab and it’s almost guaranteed that every puppy in the litter will dawn the traditional yellow coat.  

2. From Undesired To Desired 

While still fairly rare, it used to be next to impossible to find labs with red coats. This is because breeders purposely breed away from the coat color.

This was because during the early history of this dog’s foundation it was seen as undesirable. And while still not recognized as an official color by most dog organizations, in recent years the red fox coat has received a lot of attention.

Thanks to their new popularity, now, if you’re close to or live in a major city, it’s pretty easy to find breeders that focus on producing litters of Labradors with red coats. 

3. They Have A Winning Personality 

The Labrador Retriever has been America’s number 1 most popular dog for decades, and one of the biggest reasons for that is this breed’s irresistible personality.

Sweet and lovely, everyone’s best friend, goofy but intelligent. It’s easy to go on about the Labrador Retriever’s personality, and Red Fox Labrador is a shining example of the breed’s temperament. 

4. Their Rarity Brings A Heafy Cost 

Back in the day, if you wanted a Red Fox Lab, a breeder would practically hand you one for free. But nowadays, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you’re looking to buy a Red Fox Labrador from a breeder, expect to pay at least $1,000. 

Now, it’s not uncommon to find labs with reddish coats in shelters, so definitely check out your local rescues if the high cost from a breeder scares you. 

5. A Tried And True Labrador Retriever 

While there is some misconception due to their name, the Red Fox Coat Labrador Retriever is not a separate breed from the yellow, chocolate, and black labs.

In fact, the red coat color is not considered red, but a much darker shade of yellow that appears reddish, especially in sunlight. 

Here is an official description of the Yellow Labrador Retriever: “Yellows may range in color from fox-red to light cream, with variations in shading on the ears, back, and underparts of the dog.” 

6. They’re Free From Controversy 

While the Red Fox Labrador has struggled with prejudices over their coat color, — most notably in the past — they are not considered controversial like the Silver Labrador Retriever.

Unlike the Red Fox Labrador, who is 100% all lab, the Silver Labrador Retriever has been accused of being a result of a tainted gene pool.

While DNA testing has never been able to confirm, some believe the Silver Labrador Retriever’s line contains Weimaraner genetics to promote the silver-grey coat. 

7. Caring For Your Red Fox Lab Isn’t Tricky

The Labrador Retriever is considered one of the best all-around dogs, with their ability to match with so many different people and their personalities.

Great for families and first-time dog owners, the Red Fox Labrador needs the same care as chocolate or black labs would. While great for many, labs have a lot of energy, and while they can manage it better than many other breeds — looking at you Siberian Huskies — they do need adequate exercise. 

While they have a short and smooth coat, the lab can be a decent shredder — notably around seasonal changes. 

8. They May Be Prone To Obesity 

The Red Fox Labrador is a very good boy indeed, and because of their good behavior and their love of performing tricks, the Labrador Retriever breed as a whole, tends to get rewarded with too many treats.

This, along with their energy needs being a bit more than many expect, might be some of the big reasons the Labrador Retriever breed has been found to be more susceptible to obesity than any other breed.