Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Red Fox Labrador Retriever: Breed Info, Pictures & Traits

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

Red Fox Labrador Retriever

Height: 21–23 inches
Weight: 55–70 pounds
Lifespan: 10–14 years
Colors: Darker yellow with reddish tones
Suitable for: Families, singles, houses with yards, apartments with plenty of outdoor walking space
Temperament: Highly intelligent, loyal, family-oriented, protective

The Red Fox Labrador Retriever might sound like a crossbreed, but it is a color variation of the traditional Labrador Retriever. As their name suggests, they resemble the red fox due to their unique coat, which is darker than that of the yellow Lab, with red highlights throughout. This gives the dog a reddish fur color that distinguishes them from other Labs. They never have black, cream, or brown markings.

Red Fox Labs are known for being fun-loving, compassionate dogs that eagerly learn and love to please their family members. Their bubbly personalities are just as large as their athletic bodies. They enjoy spending time outdoors and will get bored easily if they’re left inside to their own devices for too long.

That said, the Red Fox Labrador Retriever does do well at home alone if they’re properly exercised and get quality time with their family. There is much to know about this beautiful dog breed, so keep reading to learn more about owning a Red Fox Labrador Retriever.

Divider 1

Red Fox Labrador Retriever Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

Red Fox Labrador Retrievers are full of energy and love to learn by getting into just about anything they can. You’ll have to keep your sneakers, slippers, and important paperwork out of reach until your puppy is trained.

Divider 3

Temperament & Intelligence of the Red Fox Labrador Retriever 🧠

Bred to work, the Red Fox Labrador Retriever is a powerful dog that can take on a variety of jobs, such as fish and duck retrieval, material hauling, search and rescue, scenting, and guiding. Hunters, farm owners, the military, the police, and even the elderly can find value in the service of these dogs. This purebred dog is outdoing and can spend an entire afternoon playing with kids in the backyard. They’re social when allowed to be and are fiercely loyal to their family members, especially their pack leader.

While the Red Fox Labrador Retriever is typically mellow by nature, they don’t play around when it comes to food. Other animals and kids should be kept away from these dogs while they eat to prevent fights and injuries. Each dog is different when it comes to activity level, but owners should expect to spend several hours each week outdoors spending quality time with their pups.

These dogs will take advantage of every opportunity to go on an outing, even if it’s just to rake up leaves in the yard. They love to camp, swim, and go fishing. They also love a good snuggle session on the couch when the sun goes down.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Red Fox Labrador Retrievers are patient and gentle, making them perfect companions for younger children. They don’t typically mind being crawled on or having their ears tugged occasionally. Families of all ages and sizes will enjoy sharing their lives with one of these well-rounded dogs.

They can play rough and tough with the older kids, and they’ll hang out near your feet when you’re working at home or watching a movie. These dogs can handle family get-togethers like pros and won’t let you down when it comes to behaving with the family at the beach or park.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Red Fox Labrador Retriever typically gets along splendidly with other dogs and cats. They should be socialized from a young age, so they have an opportunity to learn from and get along with other animals, especially older ones. As your puppy ages, they’ll quickly learn how to interact with other animals that they don’t live with. They’ll likely become best friends with any dogs or cats that happen to live in the same household.

red fox labrador retriever
Image Credit: Fred Lalkens, Shutterstock

Divider 4

Things to Know When Owning a Red Fox Labrador Retriever

Knowing about the Red Fox Labrador’s personality isn’t enough as a new puppy owner. You should know about their food and diet needs, their exercise requirements, their training aptitude, and more before bringing a puppy home.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Red Fox Labrador Retrievers do well on a high-protein diet free of fillers and artificial ingredients. It’s best to choose a food that’s produced specifically for large breed puppies until they’re about 1 year old. Afterward, any high-quality dog food of your choice will do the trick.

Puppies usually eat more in volume each day than grown dogs because they need the extra calories and nutrition to grow strong bones, joints, and organs. Pups might eat anywhere from 1 to 3 cups of food a day to support their quickly growing bodies. Adult dogs don’t need as many highly concentrated nutrients as puppies, so their food is formulated differently, and they might eat anywhere from 1 to 2 cups of food a day, depending on their activity level.

Exercise 🐕

While all Labs are bred from a lineage of working dogs, some need more physical activity than others. One pup might want to take a walk several times a day or spend all day in the backyard, while another may be happy taking a long nap after a short walk in the morning and then running around the house or yard for a couple of hours later.

No matter their activity level, every Red Fox Labrador Retriever expects to get outside and take a walk to “check the news” every day. Whether in the morning, at noon, or just as the sun is going down, you should commit to daily walks to keep your pup happy. Even puppies like to take walks every day!

In addition to daily walks, your Lab will need daily activities to participate in that will keep their senses and curiosities satisfied. Playing with puzzle toys and engaging in games like hide-and-seek are fun and engaging indoor activities that your pup is sure to love. A game of fetch in the yard would likely never be turned down.

Red Fox Labrador at the beach
Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

Labrador Retrievers thrive with direction. They enjoy learning new tricks and entertaining their family members. But they also need to learn basic obedience commands at a young age to understand how to behave while spending time within the household. A Red Fox Labrador Puppy has a great deal of energy, and if they don’t have a way to focus that energy, chances are that you’ll experience frustration as a Lab owner.

Teaching your pup to sit, stay, and come at the very least will result in a more well-rounded, well-behaved dog that everyone in the family can appreciate. Red Fox Labrador Retrievers do extremely well when it comes to agility training and competitions.

They can weave through poles, duck under obstacles, and run through tunnels with the best of them. Military, police, hunting, and service training is not out of the question for this breed. Training should always be kept in mind when adopting one of these fun-loving but hard-working dogs.

Grooming ✂️

Red Fox Labrador Retrievers are easy to groom. They could use a brushing every day to keep shedding under control and your home free of fur balls as time goes on. Labs love to roll in things like chicken poop and other unattractive substances, so they may need to be bathed regularly.

These dogs tend to take care of their own nail trimming, thanks to their naturally active lifestyle, even if that lifestyle includes indoor time. If owners don’t want to commit to regular tooth brushing, dental treats should be offered on a regular basis.

Health Conditions ❤️

This breed can live a long and healthy life, but there are health problems to be aware of when adopting a new Red Fox Labrador Retriever.

Minor Conditions
  • Progressive retinal atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • Otitis externa
Serious Conditions
  • Gastric torsion
  • Epilepsy
  • Hip and/or elbow dysplasia
  • Osteochondritis dissecans

Male vs. Female

Both male and female Red Fox Labs are kind, loyal, loving, thoughtful, and intelligent. Females can sometimes be more independent than males, and boys can be harder to potty train than girls. Both sexes need training and both deserve good homes.

Divider 5

3 Little-Known Facts About the Red Fox Lab

1. They Aren’t Foxes

Many people mistakenly think that the Red Fox Labrador Retriever is part fox because of the name. But the truth is that these dogs are 100% Labrador Retriever. Just like any other domesticated dog, these pups belong in the household and not the wild.


2. They Aren’t Really Red

Although red highlights might be seen in the coat of a Red Fox Labrador Retriever, the truth is that these dogs are just a darker color of yellow. Some think that they look orange or resemble the color of bricks. But their full coats aren’t truly red.


3. They’re Actually Quite Rare

Since these dogs aren’t as popular as the yellow Labrador, or any other colored Lab, for that matter, they aren’t a priority for most breeders. So, the Red Fox Lab tends to be a rare option on the market overall.

red-fox-labrador-retriever
Image Credit: Nigel Kirby Photography, Shutterstock

Divider 3

Final Thoughts

The Red Fox Labrador Retriever is an excellent pet, working dog, and therapy companion. These dogs offer as much love as they demand, and they won’t let owners down when it comes to peace of mind and true companionship. Whether you’re looking to adopt a male or female puppy, the Red Fox Lab deserves your consideration.

See Also:


Featured Image: Thunderovslabs, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database

Shopping cart0
There are no products in the cart!