Evolution of the Fox Red Labrador Retriever: From Early Origins to Modern Popularity
The history of the fox red Labrador Retriever is a captivating journey that explores the breed's development from its early days to its modern resurgence. Here’s a detailed look at their origins, the shifts in popularity, and the revival of this distinctive color.
Early Origins
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the Labrador Retriever breed was first being developed, the original yellow Labs were actually a darker hue that we now refer to as the fox red labrador. The very first recorded yellow Labrador, Ben of Hyde, who appeared in 1899, was described as having a coat of dark golden or butterscotch tinged with red. This early coloration was quite different from what is often seen in yellow Labs today.
Initially, these early Labs were termed "Golden" until the British Kennel Club decided to officially register them as "Yellow," deeming "gold" not an official color. This decision marked a significant point in the breed’s history, as the darker fox red shade became less recognized and eventually less common.
Shift in Popularity
As the Labrador Retriever breed evolved through the early to mid-20th century, there was a growing preference for lighter shades of yellow. This shift in taste led to a decline in the popularity of the darker fox red color, which nearly vanished from the breed’s gene pool by the mid-20th century. The trend towards lighter yellow shades meant that the rich, reddish-brown hue of the early Labs became increasingly rare.
Revival of Fox Red
The resurgence of the fox red color began in earnest during the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the dedicated efforts of several breeders in the UK:
1. John and Glenda Crook of Balrion Kennels played a crucial role in this revival. Their dog, Ch. Balrion King Frost (1976), was known for producing very dark yellow offspring that leaned towards the fox red hue.
2. Mac Bedford of Wynfaul Kennels was another key figure who helped maintain interest in these darker yellow shades. His efforts kept the fox red gene alive within the breeding community.
3. Ch. Wynfaul Tabasco, born in 1986, was a pivotal figure in the revival of the fox red color. Descended from King Frost’s line, Tabasco became an important foundation sire for modern fox red Labs. His mating with a dark yellow female resulted in an entire litter of fox red puppies, further establishing the color’s presence.
Spread to North America
The 1990s saw American breeders taking a keen interest in the fox red color:
1. Sally Kelley of Kelleygreen Kennels was instrumental in bringing fox red Labs to the U.S. She imported a notable fox red male named Red Alert, which significantly contributed to the color’s establishment in America.
2. Judy McCormick of Keepsake Kennels also played a role in popularizing the fox red shade across the Atlantic.
3. Scrimshaw Placido Flamingo, affectionately known as "Tenor," was another influential figure. Tenor passed on the fox red gene to many of his offspring, further cementing the color’s presence in the breed.
Modern Recognition
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), rather than being recognized as a distinct color.
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.
The journey of the fox red Labrador is a testament to the breed’s dynamic evolution and the dedicated efforts of breeders who have worked to preserve and revive this historically significant color. At Escalante Kennels we are thrilled to play a part in sharing the unique beauty and rich history of the Fox Red Labrador with our puppy families.
(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
The history of the fox red Labrador Retriever is a captivating journey that explores the breed's development from its early days to its modern resurgence. Here’s a detailed look at their origins, the shifts in popularity, and the revival of this distinctive color.
Early Origins
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the Labrador Retriever breed was first being developed, the original yellow Labs were actually a darker hue that we now refer to as the fox red labrador. The very first recorded yellow Labrador, Ben of Hyde, who appeared in 1899, was described as having a coat of dark golden or butterscotch tinged with red. This early coloration was quite different from what is often seen in yellow Labs today.
Initially, these early Labs were termed "Golden" until the British Kennel Club decided to officially register them as "Yellow," deeming "gold" not an official color. This decision marked a significant point in the breed’s history, as the darker fox red shade became less recognized and eventually less common.
Shift in Popularity
As the Labrador Retriever breed evolved through the early to mid-20th century, there was a growing preference for lighter shades of yellow. This shift in taste led to a decline in the popularity of the darker fox red color, which nearly vanished from the breed’s gene pool by the mid-20th century. The trend towards lighter yellow shades meant that the rich, reddish-brown hue of the early Labs became increasingly rare.
Revival of Fox Red
The resurgence of the fox red color began in earnest during the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to the dedicated efforts of several breeders in the UK:
1. John and Glenda Crook of Balrion Kennels played a crucial role in this revival. Their dog, Ch. Balrion King Frost (1976), was known for producing very dark yellow offspring that leaned towards the fox red hue.
2. Mac Bedford of Wynfaul Kennels was another key figure who helped maintain interest in these darker yellow shades. His efforts kept the fox red gene alive within the breeding community.
3. Ch. Wynfaul Tabasco, born in 1986, was a pivotal figure in the revival of the fox red color. Descended from King Frost’s line, Tabasco became an important foundation sire for modern fox red Labs. His mating with a dark yellow female resulted in an entire litter of fox red puppies, further establishing the color’s presence.
Spread to North America
The 1990s saw American breeders taking a keen interest in the fox red color:
1. Sally Kelley of Kelleygreen Kennels was instrumental in bringing fox red Labs to the U.S. She imported a notable fox red male named Red Alert, which significantly contributed to the color’s establishment in America.
2. Judy McCormick of Keepsake Kennels also played a role in popularizing the fox red shade across the Atlantic.
3. Scrimshaw Placido Flamingo, affectionately known as "Tenor," was another influential figure. Tenor passed on the fox red gene to many of his offspring, further cementing the color’s presence in the breed.
Modern Recognition
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), rather than being recognized as a distinct color.
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.
The journey of the fox red Labrador is a testament to the breed’s dynamic evolution and the dedicated efforts of breeders who have worked to preserve and revive this historically significant color. At Escalante Kennels we are thrilled to play a part in sharing the unique beauty and rich history of the Fox Red Labrador with our puppy families.
(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