Red Golden Retriever | The Vibrant & Loyal Dog Breed
The Red Golden Retriever is a stunning variation of the regular Golden Retriever, which has a deeper and richer red shade in comparison with the standard golden color. Although friendly, intelligent, and versatile like other Golden Retrievers, the Red Golden Retriever simply adds the element of a unique, beautiful coat. This coloration is due to the selective breeding program that was aimed at making the red color in their fur deeper, thus making them stand out.
In this article, I will discuss about the origin of Red Golden Retriever, classification, physical characteristics, grooming needs, and why people are so attracted to owning this beautiful breed of dog.
History of the Red Golden Retriever
The Red Golden is not a dog breed of its own but is an extension of the breed known as the Golden Retriever. The Golden Retriever itself was developed only in the nineteenth century in Scotland from the crossbreed of the Yellow Retriever and the Tweed Water Spaniel and other breeds. Originally, the purpose of breeding these dogs was to develop a great hunting companion that was intelligent, friendly and easy to train.
Over the years, breeders started to realise that some of the Golden Retrievers had darker tones of golden, from a copper like colour to a deep, red hue. These Red Golden appeared due to the specific bloodline that inherited the darker pigmentation gene and while being Golden Retrievers, they are unique with their striking color.
The Red Golden Retriever is not yet considered a breed by any of the main kennel clubs such as the AKC, but it is gaining popularity as a breed for its beautiful red fur coat and as such, it is slowly gaining popularity among owners.
Classification of the Red Golden Retriever
By Purpose
The Red Golden Retriever is developed mainly for the same reason of as the standard Golden Retriever. These dogs are very diverse and can be used in a number of capacities:
Family Companion: They are very friendly, sociable dogs and are suited for families, including with children and other animals.
The Red Golden Retrievers are also used as therapy dogs because of their intelligence and friendly personalities.
Function: Many Golden Retrievers, including the red color, are used in search and rescue operations because of their sense of smell and their ability to work in different conditions.
Hunting and Field Work: Like any other golden retriever, the Red Golden Retriever has the hunting instinct and is used in hunting especially for upland birds.
By Size
The Red Golden Retriever is not different from other Golden Retriever in terms of size, which is a medium-large breed of dog.
Size: The male Newfoundland dog is 23 to 24 inches in height at the shoulder, and the female Newfoundland dog is slightly smaller with 21 to 22 inches in height.
Coat: The most significant characteristic of the Red Golden Retriever is its coat color, which may vary from pale copper to almost mahogany. However, they have some features of their coats; they are still thick, waterproof, and have a moderate length as the coats of the Golden Retrievers.
Most Popular Traits of the Red Golden Retriever
It can be said that the Red Golden does possess some similarities with the regular Golden Retriever but there are differences in terms of physical appearance and behavior. Here are some key traits:
Physically, they have a bright red coat that makes them look more elegant than the usual golden retrievers. They have a thick and fluffy coat which needs to be brushed often to maintain good health.
Intelligent and Trainable: As with any other Golden Retrievers, Red Golden Retrievers are intelligent and love to obey commands hence very trainable. This breed is intelligent and easily trained and is suitable for obedience training and various dog sports.
Pet-Love: The Red Golden Retrievers are especially affectionate and loyal dogs, which makes them very close to their family and can easily become attached to the owner. They are affectionate and love to be part of family issues.
Affectionate and Friendly: Red Golden Retrievers are friendly and affectionate dogs and are also quite active and need to be exercised regularly. They are also fond of activities such as running, swimming, and playing the ball.
Factors to Choose a Red Golden Retriever
It is crucial to keep the following points into consideration when choosing this type of dog before acquiring one as a pet:
Grooming Needs: As you can see, the coat of the Red Golden Retriever is thick and this means that the dog requires grooming from time to time.
Brushing: This is important in avoiding matting and also in shedding off the hair. It is advisable to brush your dog at least twice or thrice a week for the proper care of its fur.
Bathing: The dogs should be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks or when necessary especially when they have been playing outside.
Ear Care: This is especially so because the dogs have floppy ears which may cause infections and discomfort if not cleaned frequently.
Nail Trimming: this is important so as to avoid cases of nail overgrowth and even the development of an infection.
Exercise Requirements: As with other varieties of Golden Retrievers, Red Golden Retrievers are playful dogs that need plenty of exercises to be able to stay fit and healthy.
Exercise: They require 30-60 minutes physical activity daily which may be in form of walk, jog or swim.
Activity: Red Golden Retrievers are very active and require attention to be directed towards any kind of activity such as the game of catch or frisbee.
Intelligence: These breeds are very intelligent and need to be stimulated by activities like solving puzzles, training or playing games.
Health Considerations: The Red Golden Retriever is a healthy breed of dog; however, like any other Golden Retriever, they are susceptible to some diseases:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: These diseases are prevalent in Golden Retrievers, and therefore the Red Golden Retriever could also be affected. This can be managed through routine check-ups and giving the dogs supplements for their joints.
Health Issues: Certain breeds of Golden Retrievers are prone to heart diseases and one of them is subaortic stenosis which may also be present in Red Golden Retriever.
Another illness that affects this breed unfortunately is cancer; Golden Retrievers are known to be more prone to this illness than other breeds. There are also certain types of cancers that can be hereditary in Red Golden Retrievers and so owners must be keen on any changes in this breed and visit the vet if there are signs that indicate this.
Compatibility with Children and Other Pets: The Red Golden Retrievers are friendly dogs and perfect for families with children due to this friendly nature. They are also friendly with other animals such as dogs and cats, provided they are taken around them at a tender age.
How to care of a Red Golden Retriever
The following are some tips that every owner of a Red Golden Retriever should adhere to ensure the dog has a healthy, happy and well-behaved life:
Dental Care: Your dog should have dental checkups and should be vaccinated as per the vet’s advice.
Socialization: Early socialization will help the Red Golden Retriever to be friendly with humans, other animals, and the environment.
Nutrition: Ensure that your dog takes balanced, healthy meals to improve their health condition and wellbeing.
Sufficient Exercise: Feed your dog enough in order to ensure that he or she is not always restless and gets an opportunity to exercise and get rid of the excess energy.
Exercise: Obedience classes and playing puzzles will be useful to train and stimulate the brain of your pet.
Fun Facts about Red Golden Retriever
The Red Golden Retriever is not only friendly but also very beautiful as it has red fur that makes it among the most attractive dog breeds in the world.
A Natural Swimmer: Like any other Golden Retriever, the Red Golden Retriever is a very good swimmer due to its inherent nature.
Loyal and Protective: These dogs are very loyal to their families and are often protective, thus they are good watchdogs.
Where to Find a Red Golden Retriever
If you are planning to get a new pet dog you have to consider getting a Red Golden Retriever and you have to ensure that you get a reputable breeder of this particular color. It is advisable to select those that focus on the health, temperament, and breeding methods of the dogs they produce. Red Golden Retrievers may also be available in rescue organizations and it is another chance to give a home to a dog that needs one.
FAQs about Red Golden Retriever
Conclusion
It is friendly, intelligent, and loyal dog breed that has all the qualities of the Golden Retriever but has a red coat. No matter if you want a companion, a family friendly playmate, or a service dog, the Red Golden Retriever will be a good addition to your family. Its coat is deep red in color and friendly which makes it to stand out among other breeds of dogs.