If you’ve ever been confused when trying to tell one Golden Retriever apart from another, you’re not alone. In this guide, we’re going to discuss everything you need to know about one of the most desired Goldens – the Red Golden Retriever. So, what are Red Golden Retrievers?
A Red Golden Retriever is a purebred Golden Retriever with more intense red coloring in its coat. Red Golden Retrievers have predominant red pigments, known as phaeomelanin, in their coat coloring, caused by a mutation of the MCR1 (“E locus”) gene.
If you’re planning on getting one of these canines, you obviously have some questions on your mind. Where do Golden Retrievers come from? How big can they get? What’s their temperament like? How do you take care of them? Do they shed? I’ve provided answers to these questions and many more in this article. Before we get into all of these, let’s take a look at Red Golden Retrievers’ appearance and understand their history.
What Are Red Golden Retrievers Called?
Origin
Where do Golden Retrievers come from? The history of Golden Retrievers dates back to the mid-1800s in Scotland, England. It was the period when Lord Tweedmouth needed a hunting dog that could catch waterfowl.
It is likely that doggies like the Golden Retrievers, Tweed Water Spaniel, and Irish Setters were all crossbred to create the Red Golden Retriever we have today. Regardless of the order, one thing is certain:
Red Golden Retrievers are not purebred.
Today, these dogs have transcended the purposes for which they were made. It’s not uncommon to find Red Goldens serving as therapy dogs or search and rescue dogs.
Size
When looking at how big or smaller Red Golden Retrievers are, you would want to compare these dogs to other Golden Retrievers. Red Golden Retrievers are generally smaller and lighter than other Goldens.
The average size of a male Red Golden Retriever is between 23 to 24 inches, with an average weight of 65 to 75 lbs. They are taller and weigh more than their female counterparts, who have an average height of 21 to 23 inches and a weight of around 55 to 65 lbs.
Appearance
Red Golden Retrievers are exquisitely cute dogs with attractive rust or mahogany color. This is due to the MCR1 (“E locus”) gene being mutated, producing an excess of phaeomelanin (reddish yellow pigment). With an excess amount, the intensity of redness increases, hence giving Red Golden Retrievers their coat color.
They have an athletic body, with a slim shape that gives them more length than height.
One of these doggies’ outstanding physical attributes is their round dark eyes that give them a brilliant, conscious appearance.
Coat
The Red Golden Retriever has a medium-length coat, which is shorter than that of a typical Golden Retriever. They typically have an undercoat that shields them from harsh weather conditions.
What Is The Lifespan Of Red Golden Retrievers?
Lifespan
A Red Rolden Retriever lives an average of 10 to 12 years.
That’s not the longest a dog has lived, in general, but it’s not the shortest either.
Common Health Issues
Although most Red Golden Retrievers live a relatively healthy life, there’re some health issues that affect them. The common health issues of the Red Golden Dog include:
- Hypothyroidism
- Seizures
- Osteosarcoma
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Mast cell tumors
- Lymphoma
- Eye disorders
- Skin disorders
Cancers in Red Golden Retrievers
One of the most significant diseases that affect Golden Retrievers is cancer, with about 60% of this dog breed developing the disease in their lifetime.
Several studies have examined the disease process and impact of cancers in these dog breeds. One of them is the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, which examines the disease’s pattern in more than 3,000 Golden Retrievers.
Skin Disorders in Red Golden Retrievers
Red Golden Retrievers suffer from various skin issues. They are very prone to environmental allergies, which cause them great discomfort. Your puppy friend can suffer from a genetic condition known as atopic dermatitis, which can cause a severe allergic reaction to dust, pollen, and grasses.
Another common skin problem in Red Golden Retrievers is hot spots. A hot spot causes swollen and inflamed patches on the dog’s skin. It usually comes with severe pain and itching.
Parasitic infections can also come up and must be treated immediately. Ticks can cause different disease conditions such as:
- Canine ehrlichiosis
- Canine Lyme disease
- Rocky Mountain spotted fever
How To Take Care Of Red Golden Retrievers?
Red Golden Retrievers are loving and friendly family dogs. Their wavy or straight coats are beautiful to behold. Getting a Golden Retriever demands that you take proper care of it. Let’s see how you can do that.
Feed Them High-Quality Food
We are what we eat, and dogs are no different. If you need your Golden Retriever to stay healthy and happy, you need to get dog food that makes for a well-balanced diet.
Also, it would help if you went for dog food made specifically for Golden Retrievers. It would be best if you also prioritized getting dog food with meat listed as one of the main ingredients. Your Golden Retriever of a pet is a carnivore and depends on meat for nutrition.
Pet Plate offers high-quality dog meals with 100% human-grade ingredients. The meals are high-protein, grain-free, and perfect for active dogs like the Red Golden Retriever.
Ensure A Constant Supply Of Clean, Fresh Water
Dirty water can harbor lots of harmful bacteria, which are dangerous to your canine’s health. It’s imperative that you provide clean, fresh worthy for your Golden Retriever throughout the day.
For the health of your Red Golden, consider investing in dental water additives.
Also, place the bowl where the dog can easily access it. Using a stainless steel bowl, instead of plastic or ceramic, can prevent the growth of bacteria.
Avoid Toxic Human Foods
Several human foods are toxic not only to Red Golden Retrievers but, in fact, to all Golden Retrievers. Thus, you should carefully avoid feeding your dogs these foods. Popular examples include raisins, alcohol, chocolate, yeast, onions, garlic, and grapes.
Exercise
Exercising your dog will help keep it healthy and maintain excellent physical shape. Some of the exercises they love include:
- Trial run
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Doggy yoga
- Cardio circuit
- Puppy push-ups
- Shake and lunge
- Frisbee
Supplement Meals with Multivitamins
As humans, getting the right mix of vitamins and minerals can be a fix. Often, we supplement what we get from our regular meals with multivitamins. Similarly, your Golden Retriever needs multivitamin supplements. This will ensure they have essential elements their body needs.
Are Red Golden Retrievers More Hyper? Temperaments Of Red Golden Retrievers
Red Golden Retrievers are generally calm, loving, and intelligent dogs. They are easy to get along with, and children enjoy playing with them.
On top of that, if you have other pets in the house, they’ll have no problems living with them. Red Golden Retrievers, thankfully, possess the same qualities as other Goldens.
Intelligent Dogs
If you’re getting a Red Golden Retriever, you can rest assured you’re getting an intelligent dog. You should remember that this dog breed was raised as working dogs initially. Now, they can do a whole lot of different things, including assisting a disabled person.
So you’re not getting yourself a liability, but an asset.
Attention-Loving
Do you know the best way to quickly turn your Red Golden into your best friend? Give it all the attention in the world. Ignoring them could turn your canine buddy into a depressed soul. They often suffer from separation anxiety in such circumstances, so it’s best you don’t leave them alone for too long.
Friendly
Although you’ll often find your furry companion barking at strangers, that fury doesn’t last long. Soon, they’re hovering around the guest, even licking them. This is no surprise considering that they’re very calm and loving dogs. However, this nature makes them unfit to serve as guard dogs.
Good Adaptability
Red Golden Retrievers can adapt to different environments. Regardless of where you live or your home type, your furry friend won’t have a problem settling in.
Red Golden Retrievers are versatile as they’re essentially working dogs. However, it does take some time for them to socialize in new environments. Still, they’re easy to train, and like most other dogs, it’s best if you start training them very early.
Do Red Golden Retrievers Shed? Grooming Tips For Red Golden Retrievers
The Red Golden Retriever is not hypoallergenic.
Even with their shorter coats, you should get ready for a lot of shedding. The FURminator Undercoat Tool is particularly useful for Golden Retrievers in combating excessive shedding and removing loose hair.
Thankfully, grooming Red Golden Retrievers isn’t so much of a hassle. However, it’s something that you have to do regularly and properly. The following tips will help you give your furry friend that shiny look every time.
Brush The Dog’s Coat
A messy, tangled coat doesn’t give your canine companion the best look. So, it’s imperative to give the coat a clean, untangled appearance. The first thing is to spray the area you want to work on with some detangling solution. This will loosen the tangles and allow your brush to go through smoothly.
Then use a slicker brush to brush all sides of the dog’s fur. Remember to spray an area before you apply the brush. Work in layers, moving the brush in the “pat and pull” technique. Once you’re done brushing, the next step is to comb the coat thoroughly to remove dead hair.
If the coat is dirty or smells bad, you have to bathe the doggie. To do that, you need a good cleansing shampoo. The Mighty Petz 2-In-1 Oatmeal Dog Shampoo And Conditioner is a great option you should try. It comes with oatmeal and lavender that has flea repellent properties and calming effect, quite possibly one of the most multi-functional dog shampoos you can get.
Clip The Nails
Long nails harbor dirt, so it’s important you clip the nails regularly. To get a good standing position for the dog, place it in a bathtub. You can use a nail trimmer if the nails are quite big. Trim above the live area of the nail to avoid hurting your canine friend.
Clean The Ears
The best time to clean a Red Golden Retriever’s ears is right after a good bath. Start by removing any water that might have entered the ear canal. Insert a drop or two of a good pet ear cleaner into the ear. Press the ear slightly to work the drops some ways down the canal. Expect your dog to shake its head to remove the drops.
Related Questions
How Much Are Red Golden Retriever Puppies? Red Golden Retriever Puppies can cost anywhere between $500 to $3,000, depending on your location. The average cost stands at $800, which is higher than that of a Standard Golden Retriever because of its rarity.
What Is The Difference Between A Red Retriever And A Golden Retriever? Red Golden Retrievers have shorter and darker coats than the traditional Golden Retriever. They also have slimmer bodies and a more athletic build. Apart from these, Red Golden Retrievers look just like every other Golden Retriever out there.
When Do Golden Retrievers Turn Red? Golden Retrievers start to turn red, i.e., a darker coat, when they clock 12 weeks old. You can tell the eventual color of a puppy by looking at the ears when making a purchase. Also, if the puppy’s parents had dark coats, it is likely to end up in the same coat color.
