Fox Red Labs vs Black Labs

[Alex88]

I hear lots of people saying that labradors that are black in colour make the best gundogs. But I prefer the appearance of the fox reds, and they'd be better camouflaged where I shoot. Any opinions on this would be appreciated, particularly from those who've had direct comparisons!

 

[B&W FOX]

 

[Rake Aboot]

colour makes no difference whatsoever in my opinion.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Got a dark yellow and a black, mother and daughter, both very similar in most ways, guess the danger with foxy coloured dogs is someone mistaking it for a fox when out shooting, never found black to be a problem in terms of camouflage, she is an excellent stalking companion.

 

[Ratel]

Had blacks and yellows, no difference, never had a fancy for chocolates or white yellows so wouldn't know much about them or foxy ones .

 

[User00040]

I hear lots of people saying that labradors that are black in colour make the best gundogs. But I prefer the appearance of the fox reds, and they'd be better camouflaged where I shoot. Any opinions on this would be appreciated, particularly from those who've had direct comparisons!

Nothing wrong with this one.



Do some basic research on the breeding, health testing and have a look at both parents if possible.

Got mine at 2 years old, so feel I missed out a lot on his development.

I'd never pick a black coated dog by choice due to the problems of not spotting ticks and over-heating during summer months.

 

[@theroedeerguy]

colour makes no difference whatsoever in my opinion.

Unless that colour happens to be chocolate.

Just like white German Shepherds I’ve yet to see a chocolate lab that had any degree of working drive between its ears.

Black, yellow or fox red labs off decent proven working parents tend to only be limited in their capabilities by the level of training put into them.

Pick your black, yellow or fox red lab pup on character and personality over colour.

 

[finbar]

There’s now silver into the mix
Am a springer spaniel man so colour no an issue

 

[willie_gunn]

No good Labrador is a bad colour!

All of mine - black, yellow and red - have adapted well to stalking. Fallow, the black lab, was my first stalking dog, although she came from a long line of deer dogs. Sam, the yellow Monster Dog, normally wears a Cabela’s camo neoprene dog coat when stalking - I’ve found it significantly improves his “invisibility” when out after deer. It is interesting that the prey drive of Singha, the fox red, is the strongest of any Lab we’ve had. Her nose is phenomenal!

 

[Morkai]

The 'anonymous black lab' is why they're popular on shoots, they do the job they're meant to and there's always lots of them about to choose from.

Get a red (yellow) if you want one.

 

[Morkai]

As you can see my red is currently working hard.

 

[Morkai]

Chocolate Labs on the other hand are just binbags with teeth.

 

[long_range_rob]

Got both. Either is fine but I lean towards the black lab for no reason

 

[willie_gunn]

As you can see my red is currently working hard.

View attachment 343372

Must be something to do with the colour….

 

[Morkai]

Must be something to do with the colour….

View attachment 343376

Softies aren't they.

 

[Covert]

Colour is the least important factor, unless chocolate or silver.
Have had hundreds of labs over the years.
These 2 are little brothers, both excellent.

 

[Tazz]

Got a dark yellow and a black, mother and daughter, both very similar in most ways, guess the danger with foxy coloured dogs is someone mistaking it for a fox when out shooting, never found black to be a problem in terms of camouflage, she is an excellent stalking companion.

Yes for a shooting day if you have decided to get a Fox coloured Lab don’t add to the risk by calling it Charlie

 

[Dan Newcombe]

Colour is very important and in terms of correctness, without doubt it goes:

Yellow
Black
Chocolate



Red

Therein ends the lesson.

 

[Overlay]

i’ve had in the past black, yellow and chocolate and found no difference at all, put all your energy and research into breeding, health and working history of the puppy and parents
Everyone of mine have come from keepers, pickers up and wildfowlers all with papers and real work history

 

[NullMac]

Too much hocus pocus in all this. The difference is one is red and the other is black. Black is perhaps less likely to get shot by the gun that got ****ed at lunch.