The Fox Red Labrador Retriever:
From hunting fields to family homes—how this coat color made a comeback...
I get this question a lot: “Where did Fox Red Labs come from?”
The Fox Red Labrador actually has deep roots in the breed’s history. In fact, this darker shade of yellow was one of the original Labrador colors. Back in the early 1900s, Fox Reds were especially prized by hunters—not just for their intelligence and trainability, but because their rich coats helped them blend into natural surroundings, whether in the woods or in the field. They were practical and beautiful.
Over time, though, lighter shades of yellow became more popular in show lines and the public eye. That meant Fox Reds quietly faded into the background for a while here in the U.S. But thankfully, that didn’t last forever…
Around the 1980s, some passionate breeders—many in the U.S.—began importing darker yellow and Fox Red Labs from overseas. They recognized the value of both the genetics and the stunning color. From there, a slow and steady revival began, and today, Fox Red Labradors are once again earning hearts and champion titles alike.
I first fell in love with this color almost a decade ago. Once you meet one in person, you’ll understand—they’re absolutely unforgettable. That’s why I’ve worked hard to find and breed the best Fox Red lines in our program, while keeping the strong English build and mellow temperament we’re known for.
So yes, that gorgeous, deep red coat has quite a story— keep reading for more in-depth history all about the Fox Red Labrador Retriever!
It is important to note that despite their distinctive color, fox red Labs are not a separate breed or variety. Fox red and yellow Labradors share the same basic ee genotype, the difference in their coat color is due to modifying genes that affect the concentration and expression of phaeomelanin (1) pigment.
Fox red labs have genetic factors that lead to a higher concentration of this pigment, resulting in their distinctive darker red coat. As such fox red Labradors are considered a shade variation of yellow and are classified as ‘yellow’ by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
These beautiful dogs have gained significant popularity over the last couple of decades and many of today’s Fox Red Labs can trace their lineage back to influential dogs like Kelleygreen Kardinal, a son of Red Alert, showcasing the successful efforts to revive this color which hearkens back to the original, darker yellow Labs of the breed’s early history.
(1) Phaeomelanin creates reds that range from deep red (Irish Setter) to orange, cream, gold, yellow, or tan. Genes control the intensity of phaeomelanin, making the color stronger or weaker. This pigment is produced only in the coat and affects only hair color, while eumelanin affects eye and nose color. Phaeomelanin in people is responsible for freckles! –VCA Animal Hospitals
Fox Red Labrador History
Ben of Hyde (1899): The Original Yellow—But Really a Red Lab
Believe it or not, the very first recorded yellow Labrador Retriever was actually a dark golden-red shade. His name was Ben of Hyde, born in 1899 in England. Though he was registered as “yellow,” his coat was much closer to what we now call fox red. In those early days, yellow Labradors often appeared in a range of golden and reddish hues. Ben of Hyde became the foundation for all yellow Labs, making him the great-great-grandfather of today’s fox red beauties
Ch. Balrion King Frost (1976):
As the years went on, lighter shades of yellow became more fashionable and fox red began to fade from popularity. But in the 1970s, a handsome dog named CH Balrion King Frost brought darker yellow Labs back into the spotlight. Although himself a Black Labrador he produced darker yellow puppies. One of His granddaughters produced the famous CH Wynfaul Tabasco- who is considered the father of the Fox Reds.
The Fox Red Labrador Retriever:
CH Wynfaul Tabasco (1986): A Modern-Day Fox Red Showstopper
Fast-forward a few years to CH Wynfaul Tabasco, owned by Mac Bedford of Scotland, and undoubtably one of the most influential fox red Labradors in the modern era. Tabasco carried the same vibrant, deep color and took it all the way to the show ring. He became the first modern fox red Labrador to earn the title of Show Champion in the UK. His legacy lives on in many of today’s most stunning fox red lines.
Fox Red English Labs in America
Balrion Red Alert & Kelleygreen Kardinal: The American Comeback
In the 1990s, American breeders who fell in love with the rich, red tone began importing dogs from England to bring the color stateside. Breeders like Sally Kelly of Kellygreen Labradors and Judy McCormick of Keepsake Labradors played a key role in bringing Fox Red Labradors into the spotlight here in the U.S., helping to preserve and promote this stunning color within the breed.
Sally Kelly imported Balrion Red Alert from Glenda and John Crook- a son of Ch. Wynfaul Tabasco out of Lady Bountiful at Balrion. She also imported a female puppy from Dot and Jack Galvin, Hennings Mill Kelleygreen Henna, which she bred to Balrion Red Alert and produced one of her foundation studs, Kelleygreen Kardinal.
Glenda and John Crook bred back CH Wynfaul Tabasco to Lady Bountiful At Balrion and produced three pups, one of which was ‘Reddy for Anything’ (Roddy) which was probably one of the most intense Fox Reds of that time. Here he is pictured with one of his granddaughters ‘Flute’.
Fox Red English Labs of the Recent Past
Other notable Fox Red Labradors include males such as Keepsake Brickhouse and CH Keepsake Red Star Rising which came from the dedicated breeding program of Judy McCormick. At Escalante, we’re honored to have dogs in our program that trace back to these influential lines and breeding programs. While we adore the rich fox red coat, it’s the gentle, affectionate temperament that truly sets our Labs apart.
