The Red Golden Retriever is a rare, red variety of the classic Golden Retrievers. They boast a much darker shade of red. The dark red or the Red Golden Retrievers are officially categorized as “Mahogany.” The red color descends from the genes of the Golden Retrievers.
These spectacular breeds have the same qualities as the typical Goldens.
The red color in some Golden Retrievers comes down from their Irish Setter heritage. The Aristocratic Scottish waterfowl hunters wanted a novice hunting dog that was obedient, fast, water-resistant, and could tolerate the cold climate. While the breed evolved, this color variant became a part of the genetic variant of the dog. Though Golden Retrievers are purebred dogs, the dark red Golden Retrievers are not allowed to compete in the Kennel Club shows due to their colors. Since the dark-colored Goldens were bred as hunting dogs, their physiques were leaner and more compact.
Table of Contents
Red Golden Retriever Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
Retrieves things, a great swimmer
Sheds profusely
Easy to train
Separation anxiety
Loyal, social, and friendly
Prone to obesity
Red Golden Retriever Basic Information
Name: Red Golden Retriever
Height: 21 to 24 inches
Weight: Male- 65 to 75 pounds, Female- 55 to 75 pounds
Color: Red, dark red, or mahogany
Coat: Double coated, wavy, dense, straight, water repellent
Activities: Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming
Group: Sporting and hunting group
Barking level: Medium
Shedding level: High
Hypoallergenic: No
Energy: High
Litter Size: 4 to 12 puppies
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Other Names: Red Retrievers, Red Goldens
Golden Retriever Vs. Red Golden Retriever – A Comparison
Features
Golden Retriever
Red Golden Retriever
Image
Name
Golden Retriever
Red Golden Retriever
Origin
Scotland, United Kingdom
Scotland, United Kingdom
Height
21 to 24 inches
21 to 24 inches
Weight
55 to 75 pounds
55 to 75 pounds
Size
Medium
Medium
Group
Sporting Dogs
Sporting Dogs
Children Compatibility
Medium to high
High
Family Compatibility
High
High
Pets Compatibility
Low to medium
High
Barking Level
Medium to high
Medium
Shedding Level
Medium to high
High
Hypoallergenic
No
No
Grooming Needs
Medium to high
Medium to high
Overall Health
Low to medium
Low to medium
Energy
Medium to high
High
Exercise Needs
Medium to high
High
Trainability
Medium to high
Medium to high
Activities
Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming
Fetching, hunting, running, and swimming
Complication in Breeding
No
No
Litter Size
4 to 12
4 to 12
Life Span
7 to 12 years
10 to 12 years
Other Names
Goldens
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Red Golden Retriever Personality
The Red Golden Retriever has a beautiful red, thick, lustrous, thinner, shorter coat. In addition, the coat is double-layered and water-resistant, quite different from the typical golden fur. All Goldens have a long coat with feathers around their neck, tail, belly, and ears, and so do the Red Goldens.
The outer coat is shorter, straight, or wavy, and their feathering is less evident. Red Golden Retriever’s undercoats are the same as standard Golden Retrievers, short and dense. A thick coat on the back, chest, and shoulders makes them less prone to abrasions than the typical Golden Retrievers.
Though the coats are thick and glossy, they are thinner and shorter, and their tail is less furry. As a result, their coat length can be short, but these dogs can have a soft, wavy outer coat that resembles the Golden Retrievers. The coat is prone to excessive shedding but is not hypoallergenic.
Red Goldens have a rectangular build, broad head, black nose, the ears hang floppy, while their dark eyes are traits of this breed. To identify a Red Golden Retriever, you must look closely at the ear’s color. Red Golden Puppies have beautiful Mahogany ears; as they grow, this color spreads to the rest of the body parts. These Red Goldens are gorgeous dogs with a deep Mahogany color, an attractive blend of brown and red.
Many genes in each chromosome are responsible for some essential features like a dog’s coat. For example, red Goldens are affected by the C region gene (CC), which can be either dominant or recessive, deciding the intensity and the shade of the red color. Other breeds that are often mistaken as Red Golden Retrievers are Irish Setters, Red Flat-Coated Retrievers and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Pet-friendly
High
Stranger -friendly
High
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Low to medium
Good to new owners
Medium
Sensitivity level
High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold-tolerance
Medium
Heat-tolerance
Medium
Red Golden Retriever Temperament
Red Goldens are fun-loving, attention-seeking canines. They get gelled with adults, children, and any kind of pets. Red Golden Retriever is a loving, intelligent, social and joyful dog. If the pet owner can spend some time with the Red Goldens, they can make a great addition to the family. They love to snuggle and bark to alert you while they find something strange. Red Goldens are less sociable but brilliant than the regular Golden Retriever. This helps them to adapt to both city and country lifestyles. This helps them to adapt to both city and country lifestyles. They can excel as assistance and therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. However, Red Golden Retrievers can become sulky with a lack of attention.
Red Golden Retriever Training
Red Golden Retrievers are obedient and easy to train. Training with positive reinforcements can make the Red Goldens perform well. Early socialization and training are vital for these Red Retrievers. They are people pleasers and can excel at tasks. The Red Golden Retriever loves to bite and nibble and require physical and mental stimulation.
Though Retrievers were bred as gundogs, a significant difference can be seen in their energy levels. Red Golden Retrievers are agile and athletic. Red Goldens have high energy and will need more intensive workouts. They need a walk for an hour or two every day. Although they have lots of stamina, they are great companions to take for running, hiking, and bike riding. Playing fetch, tug-of-war, frisbee, and swimming are great activities for Red Goldens. They have high levels of mouthiness.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy level
High
Exercise needs
High
Intensity
Low to medium
Playfulness
High
Red Golden Retriever Grooming
Red Golden Retrievers require high grooming needs. Their beautiful, dense fur sheds a lot, especially during the spring and fall, when they shed more significant amounts. Brush their coats regularly to keep them healthy. Red Goldens are susceptible to ear infections and so take extra care on their ears. In addition, you have to clean their eyes, trim their nails, and brush their teeth regularly.
The Red Golden Retrievers are not prone to any specific health condition due to the color of the coat. However, Red Goldens suffer from the same ailments as a regular Golden Retriever.
Golden Retrievers are generally healthy but prone to illnesses like any other breed. These dogs overgrow between four and seven months, making them susceptible to bone disorders. Hence, you must not let your Red Golden Retrievers on rugged and rough surfaces until two years of age. Health issues include:
Aortic stenosis
Allergies
Cancer
Hypothyroidism
Hip, elbow, renal dysplasia
Epilepsy
Osteochondrosis of knee and shoulders
Gastric dilation volvulus
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the thigh bone would not fit into the hip joints. X-ray screening for hip dysplasia can be done at the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. It is challenging to breed dogs with hip dysplasia. Do not buy a puppy without asking the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested and are hip dysplasia-free.
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia occurs when the elbow joint bones don’t align properly. This misalignment causes abnormal pressure at the joint, leading to chronic rubbing and being prone to severe osteoarthritis. Symptoms include:
Mild to moderate pain
Lameness in the forelimbs
Although the symptoms begin to show as early as four months, some dogs will not show these signs until later in life. Further, the disorder may also injure the elbows, but one of them may be heavily affected.
Canine Cataracts: The cloud-like spots on the eye lens are a symptom of cataracts. Dogs might suffer from vision impairment.
Sub-valvular Aortic Stenosis: This is common in dogs with a narrow connection between the left ventricle and the aorta.
Osteochondrosis of Knees and Shoulders is the condition of improper cartilage growth in the elbow, knees, and shoulder joints. The stiffness of the joints makes it unable to move or bend its elbows and knees. Osteochondrosis can be detected in puppies as early as four to nine months. Overfeeding of formulas causes this disease.
Allergies: Golden Retrievers are usually allergic to various substances that involve food and pollen. If your Red Golden is licking his paws or rubbing his face, get him checked by your vet immediately.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: A life-threatening condition that affects deep-chested dogs like Golden Retrievers, especially if they have an overfed meal, eat rapidly, drink excessive amounts of water, or exercise vigorously after eating. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus leads to bloating in the stomach. Your dog cannot vomit to get rid of excess air in his stomach, and blood flow to the heart is prevented. Blood pressure lowers, and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die.
Suspect bloat if your dog is drooling excessively and is not throwing up. He might be restless with rapid heartbeats. If you notice the above symptoms, take your furry friend to the vet as soon as possible.
Epilepsy: A brain disorder that causes seizures. In most cases, there is no cure for epilepsy in dogs. Therefore, dog owners should maintain a seizure-free environment.
Von Willebrand’s Disease: A hereditary blood disorder that conflicts with clot ability. The chief symptom is excessive bleeding after injury or surgery. Other symptoms include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, or bleeding in the intestines or stomach. Unfortunately, there is no proper treatment for this condition, and a blood transfusion from a healthy canine’s blood is the only treatment.
Hypothyroidism: Imbalance in the thyroid gland causing epilepsy, loss of hair, obesity, lethargy, and patches on the skin.
Hemangiosarcoma is a dangerous type of cancer that occurs in the blood and spleen.
Osteosarcoma: Bone cancer is malignant, common in large and giant breeds like the Red Golden Retrievers.
Health Overview
Overall health
Low to medium
Weight gain tendencies
High
Size
Low to medium
Red Golden Retriever Diet and Nutrition
Two to three cups of high-quality dog food, divided into two meals is recommended. Since Red Retrievers are high-energy dogs, consult your vet for the quantity.
Red Golden Retriever Living Condition
The Red Retrievers are suitable for both country and apartment living. They can moderately tolerate both cold and hot climatic conditions. Moreover, they are friendly with strangers and other pets.
Adding a Red Golden Retriever to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Breeding a Red Golden Retriever
Red Retrievers are active and energetic dogs that require high exercise needs.
They can be mouthy, so pet owners must monitor them to avoid untoward incidents.
Red Retrievers are prone to some major ailments like cancer.
If the pet owners consider a Red Golden Retriever puppy, they must look for a certified breeder.
Cost of a Red Golden Retriever Puppy
The cost of a Red Golden Retriever puppy is $500 to $3,000.
