The adorable Labradoodles have a cute and elegant teddy bear-like appearance. Even the word “labradoodle” brings to mind a goofy curly dog that is all fun, games, and positive energy.
The name of the designer dog breed, the Labradoodle, was first coined by Donald Campbell back in 1955. However, it was not until 1989 that a Labradoodle was used as a guide and service dog.
The Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia in the state of Victoria was first introduced to the hybrid by Australian breeder Wally Conron.
A cross between the hugely amicable Labrador and the hypoallergenic, canine genius of the Poodle, Labradoodles are intelligent, loyal, loving, and greatly attached family members.
While the Standard Poodle and the Labrador Retriever can be used in the Labradoodle, these hybrid dogs have been bred down in size by using Miniature or Toy Poodles in recent years.
What Is A Red Labradoodle?
A red Labradoodle is not a distinct breed from the rest of the Labradoodles. The term “red” refers to the Labradoodle’s coat, ranging from black, cream, and gold.
A broad description of a red coat being red implies that all red Labradoodles are alike. However, this is far from the truth—various shades of red give natural differences in color and intensity.
A red labradoodle’s coat color can range from rich burnt auburn to mild ginger. However, predicting the coat color of an adult red Labradoodle from a young red Labradoodle is difficult, as the coat color changes throughout a dog’s life.
Here are some of the red coats that Labradoodles and other dogs might have.
Apricot: These have dark brown eyes, a black nose, rims and lips, and black or self-colored nails.
Red: Features include dark brown eyes, black noses, eye rims, lips, and black or self-colored nails.
Red Caramel: These have dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes, liver noses, eye rims, and lips, as well as self-colored to dark nails.
Caramel: Dark amber to pale hazel-green eyes, liver noses, eye rims, and lips, as well as self-colored to dark nails.
The generation can affect a red Labradoodle puppy’s look and disposition. F1 hybrids are two purebred Labrador and Poodle parents, while an F2 Labradoodle puppy is bred with two F2 Labradoodle parents.
The “F” stands for “Fillial” and is a categorization system used in genetics, denoting a hybrid.
The kicker is when a backcross is introduced. An “F1b” means that a first generation of F1 Labradoodle has been bred back into a purebred, resulting in a 75/25% mix.
Confusing huh? Broadly speaking, all Labradoodles will have characteristics of the Poodle and Labrador parents, but to which extent depends on how much of each breed is in the litter. Here’s a handy chart for your reference.
| Hybrid | Labrador Gene | Poodle Gene |
| F1 | 50% | 50% |
| F1b | 75% | 25% |
| F1bb | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| F2 | 50% | 50% |
| F2b | 62.5% | 37.5% |
| F2bb | 81.25% | 18.75% |
| F3 | 50% | 50% |
Are Red Labradoodles Rare?
The rarest Labradoodle is a red-colored one. Because red is a recessive trait color, the red Labradoodles are far more challenging to breed and more unusual than creams or golds.
Red Labradoodles are slightly darker in color than their cream, apricot, and gold Labradoodles. Red Labradoodles have a “mahogany” shade, with a similar hue to a purebred Irish Red Setters, and are much darker than gold or apricot Labradoodle. A true red must have a black, rather than a brown, nose.
The Apricot and Gold Labradoodles have a deeper color than the red Labradoodle. This dog breed resembles a teddy bear thanks to its distinctive black nose.
For Labrador Retrievers and Poodles, the recessive characteristic color red is difficult to come by. Breeders name this dog type a red Labradoodle because the color red is a blend of a dark-shaded Poodle and a regular cream or tan Labrador.
What Makes A Red Labradoodle Rare?
The nose pigment color must be black to be called an authentic “red” Labradoodle. Compared to other Labradoodle hues, true “reds” are frequently more expensive. Red in dogs is a recessive genetic trait, and hence, red Labradoodles are less common to come by and much more challenging to breed.
While gold is a popular hue, a deep red Labradoodle is extremely rare. A red Labradoodle is much rarer than a red Poodle. The coat of a true red Labradoodle should look like an Irish Setter dog, with the same roots and tips.
Recessive genes only show an effect if the individual has two copies of the gene, also known as the allele. For example, if both parents are red, the Labradoodle can have two copies of the allele then born red.
Another color of Labradoodle that is potentially more rare than red is the merle Labradoodle. Merle is not technically a color but instead refers to the speckling and mottling patterns present in coats.
How Much Does A Red Labradoodle Cost?
Red Labradoodle puppies are rarer than their cream, black, or golden-colored counterparts, and you can expect to pay several hundred more. Labradoodles are popular dogs priced from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the bloodline and litter.
Red Labradoodle puppies can be more expensive than other coat colors. It is critical to choose a reputed and trustworthy breeder. Puppies for less than $900 are frequently available from breeders selling on Craigslist and eBay, but these are often irresponsibly bred and poorly socialized.
Backyard breeders or puppy mills often produce litters with various health and behavioral issues, leading to future problems and potential heartbreak.
Look into reputable breeders and trust references and professionals such as veterinarians, kennel clubs, and other red Labradoodle owners.
Red Labradoodle As A Designer Dog
Labradoodles are typically not heavy shedders, taking the hypoallergenic properties of the Poodle’s coat. In addition, Labradoodles take the loving, affectionate traits of the family-oriented Labrador Retriever and will make excellent additions to the family.
Designer dogs are hybrid dogs that are the crossbreed of two purebred parents. They often inherit the best of both worlds and show positive characteristics of both the parent breeds.
The Labradoodle was first bred in the late 1980s by Australian Wally Conron. A letter from a blind woman in Hawaii, whose husband was allergic to long-haired dogs, prompted Wally, a breeding manager, to take action. He decided to develop the couple’s guide dog, the first intentionally bred Labradoodle.
Fast forward a few decades, and Labradoodles are now a wildly popular designer dog breed, known for its dedication, versatility, and loving nature.
They make excellent dogs for first-time owners, service and therapy dogs, family dogs, and even suitable for those with severe pet allergies.
Eye and Nose Colors of Red Labradoodles
Unlike their cream, tan or black counterparts, red Labradoodles have dark brown eyes and a black, not brown, nose because of the eumelanin present in their genetics.
To be recognized as a true red, the Labradoodle has to have a black nose and not brown as most other Labradoodles do.
Possible Health Issues of Red Labradoodles
There is no evidence that the color of a red Labradoodle’s coat impacts its health. However, like any other dog, Labradoodles can take after the potential health issues of both parent breeds.
Common genetic problems include:
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – Red Labradoodles, like all medium and big dogs, are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia. Dysplasia can then develop into painful arthritis and lameness when the dog ages.
- Von Willebrand disease – Low amounts of clotting protein in the blood induce Von Willebrand disease, a type of bleeding illness.
- Eye Problems – Progressive retinal atrophy might affect red Labradoodles. If not addressed promptly, this issue might reduce vision, which can ultimately lead to blindness.
- Alopecia – Hair loss is caused by alopecia caused by coat color dilution, and red Labradoodles are susceptible to bacterial infections known as folliculitis.
- Gastric dilation – Bloat is another term for gastric dilatation-volvulus. This is a potentially fatal illness that can strike older canines.
- Allergies – Dog allergies are prevalent, and a Red labradoodle is no exception.
Life Expectancy
Labradoodles live for 12–14 years on average. The size of their Poodle parent, whether standard, tiny, or toy-sized, impacts the lifespan of a Labradoodle. By maintaining a healthy weight and offering plenty of mental and physical exercise, owners can extend the life of their Labradoodles.
Height and Weight
Red Labradoodles are available in various sizes, ranging in height from 14 to 24 inches and 50 to 65 pounds. They can reach a maximum height of 24 inches and weigh 70 pounds.
The size of the Labradoodle depends on the size of the parent breeds. While the Labrador Retriever is a standard size, the Poodle comes in three sizes – Standard, Toy, and Miniature.
Labradoodles have been bred down in size in recent years, with smaller Poodles being used.
Temperament
The gentleness and friendliness of red Labradoodles are widely known and make them one of the most popular hybrid dogs.
Friendly, non-aggressive, and kind to everything, Red Labradoodles are clever dogs capable of swiftly learning new things and comprehending instructions.
Because they are calm, kind, clever, and easy to train, Red Labradoodles are excellent choices as therapy dogs and service dogs.
Red Labradoodles adore spending time with their owners. They are lovely with children and other pets because they are gentle.
Exercise
While Labradoodles suit most households, sedentary owners or retirees might not be as suitable as owners. Labradoodles can be rambunctious dogs that need a moderate amount of exercise. A daily walk of a minimum of 30 minutes, ideally an hour, would keep an adult Labradoodle happy.
Poodles and Labradors are both natural athletes with long working and hunting histories. Similarly, the Labradoodle is healthy and happy when given several opportunities for activity, exercise, play, and enrichment throughout the day.
Don’t forget; a tired dog is a happy dog!
Grooming
Red Labradoodles have several coat types ranging from fleece wool and spiral-shaped curls.
Wool-textured – coats feature curled hair and are soft like wool.
Fleece-textured: The hair on fleece-textured coats is soft and either straight or wavy.
Poodles are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as low-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs. If you are lucky enough that your Labradoodle inherits the coat of the Poodle parent, you might likely have a Labradoodle that will not shed much and can be suitable for people with allergies.
However, regular brushing and grooming are still required regularly, even daily, to remove trapped debris and trapped shed hairs.
Otherwise, coats could develop mats on the skin, irritate it, and invite illness. Brush your dog with a slicker brush at least every two weeks, and scissor, trim or clip him at least twice or thrice a year to keep him looking nice.
Food and Diet
Feed only the best dog food to give the greatest nutrition for your Labradoodle. Cheap or low-quality dog food contains fillers like grain and soy that can cause further health problems down the road.
If you have a large Labradoodle, feed high-quality protein-packed food meant for large breeds.
Depending on your Labradoodle’s age, activity level, and size, varying amounts of food are needed. If in doubt, speak to your veterinarian about your Labradoodle’s diet.
Breeders
It can be stressful to feel confident that you are working with a reputable, health-focused Labradoodle breeder, especially if you are a new dog parent.
Ask loads of questions, and although it seems excessive, a good breeder will be excited to answer your questions, knowing that the household that their puppies are going to will be well-cared for.
If they appear frustrated or uneasy, it’s a red flag that they might be hiding something. Puppy farms and pet retailers must be avoided at all costs, even though their litters can be significantly less than those of reputable breeders.
All reputable red Labradoodle breeders will:
- Answer all of your questions thoroughly and candidly
- Take excellent care of their dogs and other pets
- Health test their breeding stock
- Be selective with who they place their puppies with
- Be incredibly knowledgeable about red Labradoodles
- Provides pedigree papers
- Introduces you to all of the puppies in their litter, as well as their mother, in the location where they’re being raised
- Assist a lifetime of follow up care
Final Thoughts
Labradoodles are a joy in many homes, allergy-friendly because of their hypoallergenic coat, with a boisterous and cuddly demeanor in equal measure. They are gregarious and easily integrate into many homes and families.
Red Labradoodles are no different, just that they stand out from the rest of the pack because of their unique color and bright red hues. Good luck and have many happy years with your pup!
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