20 Red Dog Breeds Everyone Is Talking About

People are used to dog colors like black, white, and chocolate, and few people would blink seeing you strolling down with a dog spotting these colors.

Small, medium, and large red dog breeds are sure to attract stares because most don’t associate this color with dogs. Foxes, yes, but dogs? It is unique.

We’ll be looking into 20 of these breeds of red dogs that always get people talking, pointing, or even walking up to the owner to ask: “what breed is that?”

Small Red Dog Breeds 

1. Pomeranian

Pomeranian is blessed with numerous colors, amongst which there is red and red sable.

It is a member of the Spitz family which also comprises the Samoyed, the Alaskan Malamute, and the Norwegian Elkhound.

Pom, as it is affectionately called, sees itself more as a Spitz than a Toy dog. As such, it acts bigger than its size.

It is also intelligent, friendly, and loyal, but may sometimes be suspicious of strangers.

You can successfully train it to be a watchdog as it would bark when it sees something strange, but it needs to be socialized. Fortunately, anyone can train the Pomeranian. 

2. Shiba Inu

The Shiba looks a lot like a fox with its orange-red coat, red pointed ears, and small size.

Lovers of wild animals who know how difficult it would be to domesticate a fox can find a suitable alternative in the Shiba Inu. The differences are subtle. 

Another Shiba Inu trait that makes it similar to a fox is its aloofness to strangers. With family, however, this breed is loyal and devoted.

Because of its size and relative calmness, new pet parents can have this breed. Training it isn’t a breeze, though. The Shiba Inu can be stubborn.  

3. Norfolk Terrier 

 The Norfolk Terrier is a little dog, but like every Terrier, has a strong spirit. It also has a red coat as one of its primary colors, alongside wheaten.

The Norfolk is also one of the rare red dog breeds like the American English Coonhound, with very few being borne per year in the United States.

This breed is lively, strong, and not your average lapdog. It is usually happy and loves to play around children, and is affectionate with its family.

New pet parents can own a Norfolk Terrier because it is trainable and small, but this breed isn’t like other small dogs, so beware. 

Medium Sized Red Dog Breeds

4. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is the smallest of the retriever dogs with a coat that ranges from red to gold red and white markings.

It was originally developed in Canada for duck hunting, and its purpose was to lure the ducks to the hunter’s side.

Nova Scotia may not be as popular as the Golden and Labrador Retriever as it is a rare red dog breed, but it is gaining a strong fanbase.

As a family dog, Nova Scotia is outgoing and often seems positive even when there’s no need to be.

Some would say these dogs act like a typical Retriever mixed with some Terrier.

They know how to be gentle though, especially when mature, and they are good with kids.

5. Dachshund

Dachshunds come in different colors, and red is a prominent one. They also can be subdivided into three coat types: smooth-haired, long-haired, and wire-haired.

All three has a red variety, but they don’t all have the same grooming need. The Smooth type is easier to take care of. 

The Dachshund is a confident breed, and it carries its long body with a sense of pride.

Its small size makes it popular amongst city dwellers because it adapts easily to an apartment.

It can sometimes be stubborn, but its intelligence and manageable size make it suitable for new pet parents. 

6. Irish Terrier

The Irish Terrier is one of the red-colored dog breeds that come in all shades. No other color is considered acceptable by any Kennel Club standards.

It looks like a typical Terrier, but with a beard jutting under its muzzle. Regular coat care is essential for this breed.

For the Irish Terrier, red means courage. It isn’t for no reason the Irish Terrier got the nickname “Red devil”.

It makes a good watchdog because of its alertness, and a companion thanks to its adaptable nature.

Like all Terriers, there’s a good dose of stubbornness and independence in there. You have to work with that if you want training to be a success. 

7. Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel was the main character in the animated movie Lady and the Tramp, but it was popular before then.

Movies sometimes lie, but in this case, the Cocker Spaniel is as much a darling in real life as Lady was in the movie. This breed has different colors, enough includes red. 

Besides the outward beauty of this breed, its personality is amazing too. The Cocker Spaniel is affectionate, loves to cuddle, and is cheerful.

It is also sensitive, and you need to handle it with care. Harsh treatments and rough plays should not be indulged in.

8. Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog comes in two color categories: the blue speckle and red speckle.

The blue speckle combines a lot of colors both on the topcoat and the undercoat, including black, blue, and tan.

The red speckle is a total red. Grooming doesn’t take much, but the coat has shedding seasons. 

Australian Cattle Dogs are highly active. Do not consider owning this breed if you can’t provide the exercise it needs.

It loves its family and can go to great lengths to protect it, making it a good guard dog. It is usually reserved with strangers and can be hard to train.

An experienced owner is necessary to give it the training and socialization it needs.

9. Pembroke Welsh Corgi

Amongst the different colors, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi can have, red, sable, and black are the most common.

This breed used to be classified under the Welsh Corgi breed with Cardigan Welsh Corgi until the differences got so obvious they became different breeds. 

Pembroke Welsh Corgi may not be as popular as the Poodle or the Golden Retriever, but it has acquired decent fame for itself.

It is loving, affectionate, and trainable, but it isn’t so willing to please. While new pet parents can own one, they should take into account its independent streak.

The best way to motivate the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is with food. They love to eat. 

10. Australian Kelpie

An old sheepdog with ties in both Australia and Scotland, the Australian Kelpie can be seen sporting a red, black, or chocolate coat amidst others.

This breed is still employed for its herding qualities but is more of a family companion now. 

Independence is a major trait of this breed, one that served it well in its herding days but makes it generally unadvisable for new pet parents.

It is also active and loves having a job to do. It is trainable, though, and loyal to its family. Just know that it won’t extend that loyalty to strangers. 

Large Red Dog Breeds

11. Irish Setter

The Irish Setter’s red coat is both striking and impressive. It takes on shades of chestnut, mahogany, or just standard red.

In any case, the coat makes this breed stand out. It was bred to hunt birds, and it still retains that instinct today. 

These days the Irish Setter is less seen on the field and has settled in homes. It is affectionate, fun and accomodating for everyone.

New pet parents can take a shot at owning one, but it doesn’t mean the Irish Setter for everyone.

This breed has a high energy level and would need constant exercise to be satisfied. 

12. Redbone Coonhound

It’s in the name, so there’s no other color that can suit a Redbone Coonhound except red.

Some white at the feet is permissible but other than that the Redbone Coonhound is a complete red.

Because the coat is short and smooth, the Redbone Coonhound is easy to groom. 

Bred to be a hunter, this breed still retains some abilities that were assets in its hunting days. One such habit is excessive barking.

This alone makes it unsuitable for an apartment as the barking can become a nuisance.

Its friendliness and loyalty make it a good companion, but you must be patient when training it. The Redbone Coonhound suffers a lot from attention deficit disorder. 

13. Hungarian Vizsla

The Vizsla has a golden red or golden rust coat, giving it that reddish look.

Be mindful of breeders who try to sell you Vizslas that are mahogany red, as that is not a standard color. It doesn’t need much grooming. 

The Vizsla was bred to be a hunter, and during those days it developed the instinct of sticking close to its owner. That’s how it got the nickname “Velcro Vizsla”.

If clingy was a canine, it would be the Vizsla. It is also very loving and gentle unless you neglect it and its needs.

You have only yourself to blame for whatever happens next.

14. Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd isn’t actually from Australia but originated in the United States. It got tied to Australia because of its ancestry.

This breed comes in a combination of colors, the more common being black, red merle, and merle. 

The Australian Shepherd is loyal to its family members but reserves the loyalty to them alone.

With strangers, it is more aloof. Socialization can help it be more accomodating of others.

This breed also needs a strong and experienced owner as it tends to be dominant, a remnant from its relic days.

15. Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is a popular breed and is often in high demand. Its gold color comes in different shades, ranging from light gold to one that takes on a reddish look. 

Golden Retrievers are not so easy to groom, and they do shed. It’s all worth it to maintain the attractive look. 

Golden Retrievers are friendly, good-natured, and easy to train. It is also calm and is content to stay indoors after exercising.

They still need training, of course, but they are easier to train than many other breeds. 

16. Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback, also known as the African Lion Hound, is recognized largely by the ridge that runs down its spine, which inspired its name.

Its standard color is wheaten, which can be gold or red-gold as the case may be. 

If you love an extroverted pooch who’d cozy up to any visitor, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not for you. Ditto for those who prefer a laid-back breed.

Bred to be a hunter, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is both suspicious of strangers and highly energetic.

On the upside, it is gentle and loyal amongst its family. It can make a good guard dog but isn’t so easy to train because of its independent spirit. 

17. Akita

Similar to the Pomeranian, the Akita has many colors, and they’re among the dog breeds that are red.

This Japanese bred dog is one of the oldest in the 21st century, and the earliest records showed that it served as both a hunter and a guard. 

Those two roles can best explain its wariness towards strangers, as well as its undying loyalty to its family.

The Akita is still employed as a guard today, and it does a good job at it. It isn’t suitable for new pet parents, though.

It is stubborn, independent, and can get aggressive when badly trained. 

18. Poodle

The Poodle can be seen in different colors, and that includes a red (or apricot) color to grace those curls.

Poodles started in Germany but were bred into what we know now in France. It comes in three types: Standard, Miniature, and Toy.

Each of them has the same curly coat, but different sizes. 

This breed is considered the second most intelligent dog in the United States and is also one of the most popular.

Many pet parents love the Poodle for its good combination of an attractive look and a sweet personality. It is loyal to its family, loving, and has a touch of mischief.

Poodles are also very easy to train, making them suitable for new pet parents. 

19. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever has just three recognized colors: Black, chocolate, and yellow. These standard colors come in shades and diluted variants.

For the yellow, one variant is the fox red. While it is not advisable to get a Fox Red Labrador for competitions, nothing stops you from having one as a pet.  

The color doesn’t affect the winning personality of the Labrador. Eager to please and affectionate, the Labrador makes a lovely family dog.

It also loves kids, and one common image of the Labrador is it partaking in a child’s birthday. It is very easy to train but needs an owner that can handle its energy. 

20. American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound (not to be confused with the Redbone Coonhound) has a variety of colors with includes combinations of red and others.

A native of the United States, the American English Coonhound was bred to hunt both foxes and raccoons. 

These days, the American English Coonhound is a rare red dog breed but enjoys some popularity amongst its family members.

It loves activities, so any pet parent who wants to own this breed as a companion should be willing to exercise it.

You have an advantage if you’re a runner. The American English Coonhound is also trainable but is not suitable for a new pet parent.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If red is your favorite color or you just fancy getting a pooch with a different color from black, white, and dark chocolate, then our list of red colored dog breeds is sure to put you on a good path.

Here you can find the perfect dog that would fit your family, environment, and level of experience.

Have fun pet parenting!

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