Fox Red Labrador?

ssapril1

Hi,
We really want to add fox red labrador to our family! So I am looking for a breeder in Surrey or with an hour or two of Surrey??
Also we are Labrador lovers but have never had a dog before so I'm not going to pretend to know everything about them so if you think I need to know anything please feel free!

Thanks

Raksha

IIRC the 'red fox' colour was first poularised in the States, and is not a recognised Labrador colour in the UK - the normal colours (recognised by the KC, for what it's worth) are yellow, black and chocolate. A dog whose dark colouring makes it a 'red fox' actually carries a fault and shouldn't be bred from (so you should't be charged as much as a dog who is show quality - well, that's the theory)

pink_piggy17

Labradors are a very energetic breed and need A LOT of exersize, probably around 2 hours a day. they also need plenty of obedience training as they are a large boisterous dog.

As for finding a breeder, a breeder who breeds for quality and health is what you should be looking for, not someone who breeds just for a (un-recognised) colour. You could also look into adopting a dog? There are hundreds (probably thousands) of unwanted Labs looking for homes. There is a list of lab rescues on here: www.animalrescuers.co.uk

If you do get a dog from a breeder, make sure the parents have been tested for all relevant hereditary diseases such as dysplasia etc.

suki1964

Seeing as red isnt a recognised colour for the breed in this country, you are NOT going to find a reputable breeder and will, if you insist on that colour be buying from a puppy farmer who has little regard for the breed, let alone the health of any pups

As a "lab lover" Im sure you would much prefer to buy a fit healthy dog which is going to be black, brown or yellow, rather then a red dog and support the puppy farming trade

foreign_correspondent

two questions - are you set on a 'red' labrador? As others have said, it really is not a recognised colouration. There are plenty of lovely labs in yellow, black or brown... personally, the colour of a dog has never been my priority, I am more interested in it's temprement and wellbeing.

Secondly, are you set on a puppy? - mature dogs are often far less work, and there are many labs (and lab crosses) in rescue, such as these guys- http://www.dogsblog.com/category/labrador-retriever/

- if you definitely want a pup, pups also turn up in rescue, such as these little ones :http://www.dogsblog.com/daisy-and-buttercup-10-week-old-female-collie-cross-labradors/

-these are lab/collie crosses, so would need an active, energetic home - however, people often seem to forget that labs are a working breed, and many are very high energy dogs!

rachiee

It's not likely your going to find a fox red colour in the UK if you do it won't be from a recognised KC breeder, registration via the Kennel Club wouldn't work too well as the KC recognise only UK breed colours which are the typical Yellow, Black and Chocolate Brown. The US tend to have more fox red Labradors that any other country but also anyone wanting to breed a Labrador and have fox red puppies are going to have to find a fox red stud dog which is very unlikely!!

Maybe sticking to a UK colour is the best option? Here is a great website for KC recognised breeders in the UK. https://www.champdogs.co.uk on here you can find puppies in your area or within a few hours of your area.

Good Luck

bring1t

From reading this thread so far I will give you another perspective. A "Red Fox" lab is officially a yellow lab, they are just at the dark end of the breed and are not really red, but more of a dark tan colour.

I have a "red fox" lab bought from a reputable breeder who is KC registered, my Lab pup is a pedigree, he is KC registered, I have a five generation pedigree certificate, and the linerage have had all the hip tests conducted. I think that they are a beautiful colour and should not be seen as a genetic defect.

However i do agree with some of the comments above. Pups are HARD WORK!

I hope this gives you another perspective to think about.

lepetit

Thanks for all your replies.
For all those that criticized my want of colour I can only say that it due to my auntie having a very rare fox red Labrador with White triangle on his chest, not because I am some selfish buyer simply looking for a particular look.
My aunt has had many labradors so I do understand the personality and needs.
I understand there are many dogs needing a home and I will look to see if they have Labrador pups but I don't think I am wrong for wanting a puppy and it is unfortunate that so many take owning a dog so lightly but not my responsibility to clear up.

foreign_correspondent

lepetit wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies.
For all those that criticized my want of colour I can only say that it due to my auntie having a very rare fox red Labrador with White triangle on his chest, not because I am some selfish buyer simply looking for a particular look.
My aunt has had many labradors so I do understand the personality and needs.
I understand there are many dogs needing a home and I will look to see if they have Labrador pups but I don't think I am wrong for wanting a puppy and it is unfortunate that so many take owning a dog so lightly but not my responsibility to clear up.

a white marking - are you sure it isnt a lab x?? AFAIK, he is not rare in any desirable sense of the word, just different, with points that would actually be faults if he is actually a pure lab! (i.e. red coat, white marking!)

However, of course this does not make him a lesser dog, and I am sure he is lovely, but if you dont want a labrador that looks like anything the breed standard, why not consider other breeds or crosses? I think you also need to consider whether looks are most important, or whether temprement and health matters more - what are you actually looking for in a dog?

No, it is not your responsibility to clean up the mess left by others, but it is yours to make sure you dont contribute to it, so please do keep researching carefully, make sure you do not support puppy farming, and dont be conned into buying a crossbreed as some sort of 'rare' variation!

Also, research carefully to make sure that the breed and age of dog you do decide to go for is suitable for your lifestyle (i.e. - it is not a good idea to get a pup if you are out all day, don't get a high energy working breed if you are a couch potato, don't get a greyhound if you want a dog that will walk miles with you etc etc...!)and that are as sure as you reasonably can be that you will have both the time and the finances available to care for it throughout a potentially fifteen year lifespan.

Frugalista

Copied from the Kennel Club website....

Retriever (Labrador) Breed Standard

11-May-06


© The Kennel Club - Unauthorised Reproduction of Text and Images Prohibited.
A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.
To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Strongly built, short-coupled, very active; broad in skull; broad and deep through chest and ribs; broad and strong over loins and hindquarters.
Characteristics
Good-tempered, very agile (which precludes excessive body weight or excessive substance). Excellent nose, soft mouth; keen love of water. Adaptable, devoted companion.
Temperament
Intelligent, keen and biddable, with a strong will to please. Kindly nature, with no trace of aggression or undue shyness.
Head and Skull
Skull broad with defined stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, powerful not snipy. Nose wide, nostrils well developed.
Eyes
Medium size, expressing intelligence and good temper; brown or hazel.
Ears
Not large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back.
Mouth
Jaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Clean, strong, powerful, set into well placed shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulders long and sloping. Forelegs well boned and straight from elbow to ground when viewed from either front or side.
Body
Chest of good width and depth, with well sprung barrel ribs - this effect not to be produced by carrying excessive weight. Level topline. Loins wide, short-coupled and strong.
Hindquarters
Well developed, not sloping to tail; well turned stifle. Hocks well let down, cowhocks highly undesirable.
Feet
Round, compact; well arched toes and well developed pads.
Tail
Distinctive feature, very thick towards base, gradually tapering towards tip, medium length, free from feathering, but clothed thickly all round with short, thick, dense coat, thus giving ‘rounded’ appearance described as ‘Otter’ tail. May be carried gaily but should not curl over back.
Gait/Movement
Free, covering adequate ground; straight and true in front and rear.
Coat
Distinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat.
Colour
Wholly black, yellow or liver/chocolate. Yellows range from light cream to red fox. Small white spot on chest permissible.
Size
Ideal height at withers: dogs: 56-57 cms (22-221/2 ins); !!!!!es: 55-56 cms (211/2-22 ins).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last Updated - October 2009

For what it's worth, the red fox is a very unpopular colour in the UK anyway - but it might be worth contacting some of the Labrador breed clubs to see if there are any breeders who do breed this colour. Obviously, make sure all their stock has had the relevent health checks and certification before getting carried away over the colour :rolleyes:. HTH

emlou2009

just my two penneth worth, but if none of us have ever seen them, i would have thought that would qualify them as rare?