Are you thinking of adding a Red Golden Retriever to your family?
With his happy and friendly personality, this beautiful breed makes a loving and loyal companion.
Golden Retrievers can also adapt to life in a wide range of homes and have a whole lot of affection to share with their people.
Keep reading to find out.
Quick Facts about the Breed
- Origin: Scotland
- Height:
- 23-24 inches for male,
- 21.5-22.5 inches for female,
- Weight:
- 65-75 pounds for male,
- 55-65 pounds for female,
- Temperament: Friendly, sweet, cheerful
- Suitable for: Families, people of all ages
- Lifespan: 10-12 years
What is a Red Golden Retriever?
As the name suggests, a Red Golden Retriever is a Golden Retriever with a red-colored coat.
Aside from this beautiful mahogany coat, dark Golden Retrievers are exactly the same as regular Golden Retrievers.
They’re easy-going, affectionate and devoted to their people, all of which is why they make such popular family pets.
History of the Red Golden Retriever
The origins of the Golden Retriever can be traced back to the Scottish Highlands in the mid-19th century.
There, a gentleman named Dudley Marjoribanks set about developing the ideal gundog to use on his estate.
He needed a dog that could withstand the harsh weather conditions and unforgiving terrain, so he crossed the Tweed Water Spaniel with his Yellow Retriever.
The Irish Setter was also introduced into the breeding program to produce the breed we now know and love as the Golden Retriever.
It’s thought that the red hue of dark Golden Retrievers can be traced back to their Irish Setter heritage.
However, red is not officially recognized as an accepted color for purebred Golden Retrievers, so don’t expect to see any Red Goldens in the show ring.
Despite the breed’s working history, it’s better known today as the ultimate family companion. In fact, the Golden is a regular fixture on lists of the most popular breeds in the United States.
Physical Appearance
Looks are the only area where the Red Golden Retriever differs from traditional purebred Golden Retrievers.
While ordinary Goldens have a coat that comes in various shades of gold, Red Golden Retrievers feature a coat that’s deep mahogany in color.
It’s also not uncommon for a Red Golden to have a slightly shorter coat than a normal Golden Retriever.
Otherwise, the breed boasts the gorgeous good looks you’d expect from a Golden Retriever. That means an athletic dog with a kind expression, a muscular frame, and a water-repellant coat.
– Size
How big do Red Golden Retrievers get?
These are large and quite powerful dogs, and the official AKC breed standard for a purebred Golden Retriever gives you an idea of just how big they can get. It recommends:
| Height: | 23-24 inches (male) | 21.5-22.5 inches (female) |
| Weight: | 65-75 pounds (male) | 55-65 pounds (female) |
– Coat color and length
The Red Golden Retriever’s dense double coat can be either straight or wavy, and is designed to provide protection against the elements.
The coat is long and thick and features heavy feathering on the neck, the back of the legs, and the tail.
Unlike purebred Goldens, the coat of a dark Golden Retriever ranges from light red through to a deep mahogany.
Red Golden Retriever Temperament and Behaviour
The Golden Retriever has many wonderful features, but the highlight would have to be its wonderful temperament. When you welcome one of these dogs into your family, you’re rewarded with a loving, affectionate, and sweet-natured pet.
Goldens simply love spending time with their people and their cheerful disposition ensures that they get on well with everyone they meet.
| Affection level |   (5 / 5) |
| Child-friendly | (5 / 5) |
| Dog-friendly | (5 / 5) |
| Protectiveness |  (3.5 / 5) |
| Trainability | (5 / 5) |
| Intelligence | (5 / 5) |
| Tendency to bark |  (3 / 5) |
– Behavior with other dogs
Red Golden Retrievers are typically easy-going dogs that get on well with other dogs. However, proper socialization and training are essential to ensure that your puppy learns the right way to behave around her furry friends.
– Suitable for children
Goldens are cheerful and affectionate dogs that make great playmates for children. They’re generally patient and gentle with the younger members of the family, while their high energy levels mean they’re always up for a game.
However, these active and friendly dogs can sometimes be a little too boisterous for young children, so close supervision is essential.
– Do Golden Retrievers make good pets?
Absolutely! If you’re searching for a breed that will be a loving and loyal lifelong companion, the Red Golden Retriever could be a perfect fit.
Goldens are beautiful, charming dogs that love being around people. They’re happiest doing whatever you’re doing and will fill your life with love, joy, and friendship.
Find out more about how to care for a Golden Retriever in this guide from the AKC.
Training a Red Golden Retriever
If Red Golden Retriever puppies are going to grow into happy and well-behaved adult dogs, obedience training is essential. The good news is that these lovable dogs are usually a breeze to train.
– How easy is it to train a Golden Retriever?
Golden retrievers are very easy to train. These loving dogs are always eager to please their people and respond well to training from a young age.
You can start training your Golden Retriever puppy as soon as you welcome her into your family. Use positive reinforcement methods to teach your pet the right way to behave, and remember to keep training sessions short and fun to prevent boredom.
With a patient approach, your Golden will soon be happy to do whatever you ask.
– Socialization
Socialization is another crucial factor in your puppy’s development. Gently exposing your puppy to different people and places as they grow will help them become a confident, well-behaved adult.
Dogs that aren’t properly socialized can be fearful, aggressive, and potentially develop a wide range of other problems.
However, remember to balance your puppy’s need for socialization with her need to be fully vaccinated before exploring the world.
– Do Golden Retrievers bark a lot?
Red Golden Retrievers generally don’t bark too much.
However, just like any other dog, they may bark when bored or when their needs aren’t met. To prevent problem barking, give your pet plenty of regular exercise, mental stimulation, and quality time with you.
Living Conditions
Golden Retrievers are versatile, adaptable dogs that are suited to life in a variety of homes. It doesn’t matter whether you live in a house or an apartment, a Red Golden Retriever will fit right in — as long as you give your dog lots of regular exercises.
Goldens also thrive on human company, so you’ll need to welcome your dog int your home and spend lots of quality time with her every day.
– Essential products and toys for Red Golden Retrievers
Before you bring a Red Golden Retriever puppy home, make sure you’ve stocked up on all the essentials. These include:
- A collar and lead
- Food and water bowls
- A comfortable bed and warm bedding
- Dog food
- Chew toys
- Dog shampoo
- A brush for grooming
– Training products and toys for Red Golden Retrievers
You may also want to buy a few items to help you train your dog, such as:
- Treats
- A crate
- Puppy training pads
- Odor and stain remover
- Puzzle toys to help your dog beat boredom
Red Golden Retriever Health Problems
Just like any other breed, Golden Retrievers are susceptible to specific genetic health concerns. These include:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts and other eye problems
- Heart problems, particularly subaortic stenosis
Buying from a responsible breeder who tests their breeding stock for common genetic health problems can reduce the risk of any issues.
Cancer is also a common concern — more than 60% of Golden Retrievers die from cancer, and a huge research project to find out why is currently underway.
– Golden Retriever lifespan
Despite these health concerns, Golden Retrievers have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years.
Red Golden Retriever Diet and Exercise
| Appetite | (5 / 5) |
| Exercise requirements | (5 / 5) |
| Playfulness | (5 / 5) |
| Apartment-friendly |  (2.5 / 5) |
Keeping your Golden Retriever in a healthy weight range will maximize her chances of living a long and happy life. To help your pet stay in shape, you’ll need to focus on diet and exercise.
– Feeding requirements
The Golden Retriever is a big dog with a big appetite. The food you give your pet will need to provide all the energy they need for their active lifestyle and help that gorgeous coat stay shiny and lustrous.
Look for a premium pet food appropriate for your dog’s size and life stage. You’ll also need to take care not to over-feed your Red Golden Retriever or give her too many treats — many Goldens will happily wolf down anything you put in front of them.
– Exercise needs
If you’re thinking of getting a Red Golden Retriever, please be aware that your pet will need plenty of regular exercises.
Remember, these dogs were originally developed to work, so they have high energy levels. Without sufficient exercise, your Golden might find other ways to expend his energy — like digging up your garden or barking too much.
Happily, there are plenty of simple ways to help your dog stay active. Goldens love walks and makes great jogging companions, while dog sports like agility and tracking are other favorite pastimes. Trips to the dog park for some socialization and play will also be well received.
Grooming your Red Golden Retriever
| Amount of shedding | (5 / 5) |
| Grooming requirements | (3.5 / 5) |
Your pet’s gorgeous coat of red hair isn’t going to look after itself, so
– Shedding
Red Golden Retrievers shed moderately all year round and heavily a couple of times a year, so you’ll need to be prepared to deal with all that hair. You’ll need to brush your pet’s hair regularly — daily during shedding season — to remove dead hair and prevent matting. An undercoat rake can also be very useful to keep her coat looking its best.
If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t shed as much as the Golden Retriever, you may want to consider a hybrid breed like the Goldendoodle.
– Grooming needs
Aside from brushing, your dark Golden Retriever’s main grooming requirement is an occasional bath. This will prevent any nasty doggy odors and ensure good skin and coat health, while more frequent bathing during shedding season will help remove dead hairs.
Other than that, don’t forget to:
- Clean your dog’s ears regularly
- Trim her nails when required
- Brush her teeth regularly
Red Golden Retriever Pros and Cons
– Pros
- Beautiful personality. Red Golden Retrievers are affectionate, loving and devoted to their humans.
- Easy to train. These dogs are eager to please and love to make you happy.
- Gorgeous good looks. Red Golden Retrievers have all the eye-catching beauty of a Golden Retriever with the added bonus of a rich red coat.
– Cons
- It needs lots of exercises. You’ll need to give your Golden Retriever lots of daily exercise to keep her healthy and happy.
- Sheds. Goldens shed heavily twice a year and moderately all year round. Regular brushing is therefore essential and your Hoover will also get a workout.
Finding a Red Golden Retriever Puppy
If the Red Golden Retriever sounds like your perfect pet, it’s time to find the perfect puppy.
– Where can you find a Red Golden Retriever puppy?
There are two options when searching for Red Golden Retriever puppies:
- Buying a puppy
The first option is to buy a puppy from a Red Golden Retriever breeder. To ensure that you don’t buy from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder, look for a breeder who is willing to let you meet the puppies and their parents.
A responsible breeder will be happy to show you where their puppies for sale live, answer any questions you have about the breed, and want to be certain their puppy is going to a good home.
- Adopting a puppy
Your second option is to search for Red Golden Retriever puppies up for adoption. This is a great way to help tackle the homeless pets’ problem and give an unwanted dog a chance at happiness.
Because most Golden Retrievers put up for adoption are a little older, you may miss out on the adorable puppy phase. However, the advantage is that you get to adopt a calmer and well-behaved adult dog.
How much does a Red Golden Retriever cost?
If you’re browsing Red Golden Retriever puppies for sale, you’ll soon discover that costs vary between breeders.
Most puppies cost somewhere between $500 and $2,000, but the price tag is usually a little lower if you choose to adopt a dog.
FAQs
The red coats sported by some Golden Retrievers can most likely be traced back to the use of Irish Setters when the breed was first created.
However, red is not accepted as an official color variation in the AKC breed standard for the Golden Retriever.
Technically, no.
The official AKC breed standard for Golden Retrievers describes dogs with a coat that is “rich, lustrous golden of various shades.” A red coat is not an accepted color variation of the Golden Retriever, and Red Golden Retrievers are not recognized as a separate breed.
Yes. Golden Retrievers have a well-earned reputation as excellent family dogs.
The breed’s gentle, loving nature and steady temperament makes it perfectly suited to family life, while these dogs are also known to get along well with children.
No. Golden Retrievers are gentle, sweet-natured dogs that are rarely known to be aggressive.
However, as with any other breed, abuse, neglect, or poor socialization could cause a Golden to develop aggressive behavior.
Yes. Alert, intelligent, and loyal, dark Golden Retrievers are excellent watchdogs.
However, with her sweet and friendly nature, don’t expect your Golden to be a guard dog
Yes. Red Golden Retrievers can adapt to a wide variety of living situations, including living in an apartment.
However, you’ll need to make sure your pooch gets plenty of regular exercises and mental stimulation to help her stay happy and healthy.
Similar Other Breeds for You
Maybe you are still wondering if this breed is perfect for you? Or you are looking for other dogs
Don’t give up and go on.
These breeds, like the Red Golden Retriever, also have very UNIQUE qualities.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of good reasons why the Golden Retriever always features on lists of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and around the world.
These beautiful dogs are smart, friendly and oh-so-sweet, and they love spending time with their humans whenever possible. And with her stunning mahogany coat, the Red Golden Retriever’s looks are as beautiful as her personality.
But that doesn’t mean the dark Golden Retriever is the right breed for everyone. For example, if you can’t give your dog lots of regular exercise and attention, you’d be better off considering other breeds.
But if you’re looking for an affectionate, cheerful, and easy-to-train family pet, look no further than the Red Golden Retriever.