Golden Retrievers are known for being friendly, loving and loyal, making them great family dogs.
Many people believe that Golden Retrievers come in gold color only, but this is not the case. Golden Retrievers also come in red color. Such dogs are known as Red Golden Retrievers.
Red Golden Retrievers have all the traits of a traditional Golden. These dogs are officially categorized as Mahogany, but they are also referred to as Dark Red Golden Retrievers.
While Red Golden Retrievers are not as popular as their Golden siblings, they are a great choice for anyone interested in a red-colored dog with all the qualities of a Golden Retriever.
Keep reading to view pictures and learn more about the breed, so you can determine if this dog might be a good addition to your family.
Table of Contents
What is a Red Golden Retriever?
The Red Golden Retriever is just a purebred Golden Retriever with a red colored coat.
In fact, with the exception of the coat color, Red Golden Retrievers are the same as the traditional Golden Retrievers. The red coloring is due to the genetic background of the breed.
The history of the Red Golden Retriever is tied with that of the traditional Goldie.
Most researchers believe that these dogs have their roots in Ireland. They suspect that breeders were able to produce this color by breeding the standard Golden Retriever with the Irish Setter, hence producing this beautiful color.
It makes some sense since the Irish Setter has the same shade of color. Furthermore, these red colored Golden Retrievers have many physical characteristics that resemble those of an Irish Setter.
Differences between Red Golden Retrievers and Their Golden Siblings
Make no mistake; Red Golden Retrievers are not any different from the traditional Golden Retrievers when it comes to temperament and personality. It is just that they have darker-colored coats compared to traditional Goldies – which is perfectly fine!
In fact, many people believe that the red color is the most striking of them all. However, there are some differences in appearance other than their coat color.
? Just like the Cream Golden Retrievers, Red Goldens generally have shorter hair than the standard Goldens. Their hair tends to be straighter too and you can expect them to have less feathering on the tail and legs.
Let’s find out more information about the appearance of the Red Golden retriever.
The General Appearance of Red Golden Retrievers
The Red Golden Retriever is a large dog with a graceful and elegant appearance. Although they tend to be leaner and more compact than standard Goldies, they are still designed to be imposing in appearance.
The main reason why these dogs are shorter and leaner is because they were originally bred as hunting companions.
As we’ve already mentioned, the biggest difference between Golden Retrievers and Red Golden Retrievers is in their coat color.
The mahogany coloration is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), so anything that is too red is often disqualified from the show ring.
However, the Red Golden Retriever is still a compactly built dog with a well-balanced body. They should be generally longer than they are tall, giving them a rectangular shape. They have a broad head that is slightly tapered at the muzzle.
They also have a black nose, and brown, alert eyes that give the dog an intelligent expression. Their ears are usually floppy and hanging against the head.
Coat
As with all Retrievers, Red Goldens have a water-resistant double coat. It should be long and thick, and the top coat should be straight, sometimes with a slight wave.
While this dog’s coat is fine and downy, get ready for the shedding (since this is not a hypoallergenic breed).
Color As the name suggests, the Red Golden Retriever has a strikingly beautiful red coat. Shades will vary from light rust red to deep mahogany.
As we’ve mentioned, the AKC has stated in the breed standards that if Golden Retrievers are too red, then they will be disqualified from the show ring. Only radiant or rich shades are desirable, and any color that is darker or lighter than this is not accepted.
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Red Golden Retriever Size, Height & Weight
You can expect your full grown Red Golden Retriever to be a large dog just like the traditional Golden.
Males will measure around 22 to 24 inches tall, and weigh around 65 to 75 pounds.
On the other hand, females will measure 21.5 to 22.5 inches tall and weigh around 55 to 65 pounds.
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Red Golden Retriever Temperament
Red Golden Retrievers and traditional Goldies have similar temperaments and personality traits.
Generally speaking, you can expect a pup that is incredibly affectionate and loyal to the bone. They are extremely friendly, obedient and always eager to please.
They are also a quiet, non-vocal breed. You’ll rarely hear a Red Golden Retriever bark, and when they do, it’s most likely due to excitement.
They are also patient and sociable and can easily get along well with children. Having been developed for hunting and sporting purposes, Red Golden Retrievers have tons of energy and enjoy playing with their family, so young children will have a great playmate with this dog.
They are protective of their owners, but this manifests itself in terms of their loyalty. These dogs are not aggressive at all and they will happily greet strangers with a tail wag.
? If you are interested in a guard dog, therefore, try a different breed because this is just too kind to be a reliable guard dog!
One of the main reasons why the Red Golden Retriever is gaining popularity is because of their friendly and calm nature. This makes them ideally suited to a wide range of lifestyles and families. They can adapt quickly to any kind of family provided it’s a loving and caring home.
The Red Golden Retriever is known for being generally calm, curious and intelligent.
A well-socialized Red Golden Retriever will be more than happy to spend time and play with cats, dogs and other animals. As they advance in age, they will begin to slow down, but they will still retain their calm, loving and affectionate side.
Red Golden Retriever Training
The Red Golden Retriever is a smart dog who loves to please his owner. That’s why they are an excellent choice for first-time dog owners.
Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional dog trainer, housetraining, obedience training and socialization are all great options to help give your Red Golden Retriever what he needs to flourish.
Unlike other large dogs with dominant behavioral issues, the Red Golden Retriever won’t try to “dominate” you or take over as “Alpha male”, even if given the chance.
For this reason, housetraining and general obedience training should be a positive experience for both you and your dog. That already makes training a great bonding experience for you and your Red Golden Retriever.
Although the Red Golden Retriever is eager to please, be sure to start training as soon as you bring your puppy home.
These dogs have a soft mouth when they bite, but they tend to use their mouths a lot. To prevent mouthing and nipping, make sure to stop the habit at an early stage and reinforce acceptable behavior throughout your dog’s life.
With other breeds, you need to be firm to achieve the best results. For the Red Golden Retriever, however, you don’t have to be harsh or firm when training your puppy.
Use a wide variety of food-based treats, puppy toys and other rewards to keep your puppy interested in your training sessions. You need to spend around 15 to 30 minutes each day training your puppy in order to have a well-behaved dog.
As adults, these dogs will be happy to spend around 10 to 15 minutes learning new tricks or commands. During training, avoid harsh or heavy-handed methods.
Dog training should always be based on fairness, patience and consistency.
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Socialization
Red Golden Retrievers generally have minimal socialization requirements, but as with all dog breeds, they should learn good manners and the right way to do that is to expose them to as many adults, kids, and other pets as possible.
One of the best ways to socialize your young puppy is to take him to a puppy class. A good puppy class will help with training and socialization, but keep in mind that a weekly session isn’t enough and most of the work should be done by the owner.
Choosing a good class is important as a poor one might do more harm than good. For the best results, contact your vet for recommendations on the best puppy classes for your puppy.
Remember, well-socialized dogs are happier, more confident and pose less risk to other pets and to themselves.
Since a well-socialized dog knows how to react properly, he is much easier to control and hence, able to establish stronger bonds with their owners, as well as enjoy a wide variety of experiences.
Exercise Needs
Regular exercise is essential for Red Golden Retriever puppies and adult dogs alike since they are active and intelligent dogs.
Proper Red Golden Retriever exercise can help them live a happier and healthier life!
They require a reasonable amount of exercise each day, at least 30 minutes of walking, around 15 to 25 minutes of jogging and at least 10 minutes of playing or running around.
Walking a Red Golden Retriever can be an enjoyable experience because they are smart dogs who like to have fun!
Other practical suggestions for your Red Golden Retriever exercise needs include: Swimming (Goldies love the water!), Hiking, Agility games like running through and over obstacles.
Playing Fetch with your dog, Teaching them new commands and tricks. And if you are looking for a simple way to keep your Red Golden dog busy and mentally stimulated, try interactive dog toys. Not only will they keep your Golden active, they will also work their brain.
Remember, the Red Golden Retriever craves attention and should get it. If you don’t give them the attention they deserve, they can become sulky, sullen or less engaged. They can also develop destructive behaviors if they haven’t been exercised enough!
Shedding & Grooming
The Red Golden Retriever has more grooming demands than the average dog, but he has fewer demands than the standard Golden Retriever.
Since the Red Golden has a shorter outer coat than ordinary Goldens, their shedding should not be so heavy.
Of course, your Red Golden will still shed, but it will not as intense compared to the Standard Golden Retriever. They still need brushing at least once or twice per week to keep their coat looking beautiful, elegant and healthy.
The feathering around the standard Golden’s neck, ears, tail, legs and feet should be trimmed every two months to keep it tangle-free and reasonably tidy.
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Since the Red Golden Retriever generally has less feathering than the standard Golden, this additional grooming step might not be necessary and his hair is less prone to tangles.
Occasional bathing can help during the shedding seasons to get rid of any dead or loose hairs.
Since the Red Golden has hanging ears, you should pay special attention to your dog’s ears. Check them daily for any signs of infection and make sure to clean them at least once per week.
Their nails should also be trimmed at least twice a month to prevent them from getting too long. For walking dogs, however, this extra step might be unnecessary because their nails tend to wear down naturally.
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Feeding Information
As with every dog, the nutrition in your Red Golden Retriever’s diet is vital to their health.
A Red Golden will need various ingredients and nutrients, depending on their age, health and activity levels. For proper nutrition, it is important to feed your beloved pet a high quality dog food and provide him with fresh water each day.
Always consider the treats you give to your dog, as the Red Golden Retriever can gain weight easily. Remember these are large dogs with big appetites. They love food and will eat virtually anything you put in front of them.
Consequently, they are prone to weight gain and obesity. Because these dogs are so food-oriented, it’s important to stick to the recommended portion sizes to ensure they maintain a healthy weight.
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Overweight Red Goldens are less active and have shorter lifespans. Since most dogs eat the same food each day, it is important to invest in a high-quality dog food that will meet their nutritional needs.
Red Goldens can eat canned food or dry dog food or a combination of both. It all boils down to the ingredients, so be sure to read the product label carefully before making your purchase.
A high quality dog food contains animal-based protein and fats with no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives.
A Red Golden Retriever needs to eat 2 to 3 cups of high quality food each day. This amount of food can be divided into two meals per day.
Lifespan
With proper nutrition, regular veterinary checkups and plenty of exercises, your Red Golden Retriever can live from around 10 to 12 years.
Red Golden Retriever Health Problems
Even when your Red Golden Retriever has nutritious food, fresh water, and regular exercises, he could still experience certain health issues.
That’s why it’s recommended to take your dog for routine vet checkups. This will ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations and is checked for other health problems.
Apart from obesity, Golden Retrievers can also get cancers such as osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. They can also suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and health disorders.
Reputable breeders will have carried out health tests on the puppies to rule out these disorders, but that doesn’t mean that that condition won’t affect your pet. That’s why it’s a good idea to find a reliable vet in your area.
As a responsible dog owner, you need to ensure your dog is healthy and has been vaccinated against various health problems.
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Red Golden Retriever Price and Breeders
The cost of Golden Retriever puppies varies significantly. On average, expect to pay around $800 to $2000 from a reputable breeder.
Since Red Golden Retriever puppies are rarer than the standard Goldens, you can expect to pay a little more, with each puppy going for around $3,000.
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Buying your Red Golden Retriever puppy from a reputable breeder can help ensure the health of your new furry friend.
Ask for their parents’ health certificates and request to see the puppies in their living environment. This is particularly vital given that Goldies are highly susceptible to cancer.
Good breeders will not only make sure you are taking home a healthy puppy, but they will make sure you are adopting the right breed for you and your lifestyle.
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Conclusion
Many Golden Retriever lovers and dog owners find that the Red Golden Retriever has some appealing qualities.
These dogs are highly intelligent, very social and fit right in with almost any family dynamic. They are great with children, cats and other pets. They are highly active and have an intense desire to please their owners.
Although they do shed, Red Goldens are fairly low-maintenance dogs compared to many other breeds. They also have a significant amount of energy and need regular exercises to remain happy and healthy.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Red Golden Retrievers has increased considerably.
While these pups don’t take part in any dog shows or events organized by the AKC, they continue to win the hearts of people thanks to their big hearts, happy attitude and excellent temperament.