Every big, friendly dog on a walk gets compared to Clifford sooner or later. Buck is yellow, not red, and he’s 78 lbs, not the size of a house, but I understand why the question comes up.
So, is Clifford the Big Red Dog a Labrador? Not officially. His creator, Norman Bridwell, never gave Clifford a breed, and the earliest drawings were based on a bloodhound. Still, a lot of Lab owners see their own dog in him, especially owners of fox red Labs.
Here’s what we actually know about where Clifford came from, the breeds people compare him to, and what a real red Lab is like to live with.
Where Clifford came from
Clifford was created by Norman Bridwell, an illustrator who first sketched him in 1963. Bridwell had been struggling to get work as a children’s book artist. An editor saw a drawing of a little girl with a red dog the size of a horse and suggested he write a story about it. Scholastic published Clifford the Big Red Dog that year, and Clifford eventually became the publisher’s mascot.
A few facts from Mental Floss’s list of Clifford facts surprise most people:
- Bridwell planned to call the dog Tiny. His wife, Norma, thought it was boring and suggested Clifford, the name of an imaginary friend from her childhood.
- Clifford’s red color was an accident. Bridwell said he simply had red paint on his drawing table that night.
- The girl in the books, Emily Elizabeth, was named after the Bridwells’ daughter.
- Clifford grew over time, from roughly horse-sized in the first book to house-sized later on.
Nothing in the original story says what breed Clifford is. Bridwell made him a big, red, kind-hearted dog and left the rest to the reader’s imagination. That’s partly why fans still argue about it.
So what breed is Clifford?
The most honest answer is “none in particular”. He’s a cartoon dog who’s been drawn many different ways over six decades. That said, three breeds come up again and again, and here’s how they compare with Clifford:
| Breed | Why people suggest it | What doesn’t fit | My take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodhound | Early drawings had droopy jowls and long ears | Bloodhounds aren’t red-coated the way Clifford is | Closest to the original sketches |
| Vizsla | A solid red coat, lean build | Vizslas are lighter and more angular | Closest in color |
| Labrador Retriever | Friendly, loyal, family-focused, a fox red coat exists | Labs have shorter ears, an otter tail | Closest in personality |
From my experience, people decide based on whatever red dog they’ve met. Vizsla owners see a Vizsla. Lab owners see a fox red Lab. Both are fair, because Clifford is drawn simply enough to be either.
The bloodhound theory
Bloodhound is the theory with the most support. By a distance. Bridwell’s earliest Clifford sketches, when Clifford was closer to pony-sized, were modeled on a large bloodhound, and the first books show the droopy face and long ears to match.
Bloodhounds are scent hounds with an incredible nose, loose skin and very long ears. I’d call them the gentlest giants in the hound group. They’re also big: the AKC lists males at 25 to 27 inches tall and 90 to 110 lbs. My post on the Labloodhound, the Bloodhound and Lab mix covers what happens when you cross the two breeds.
Here’s what I’d expect from a bloodhound in real life, according to the AKC’s Bloodhound breed page:
- Gentle, patient and affectionate with family
- Single-minded on a scent trail (recall can be a challenge)
- Famous for drool
- Vocal, with a deep, booming howl
That last trait doesn’t sound much like Clifford. In the books, he’s a quiet giant. I’ve never seen him howl at the moon.
The Vizsla theory
The Vizsla has the closest coat color, a solid golden-rust that can look red in the right light. Vizslas are Hungarian pointing dogs, lean and athletic, with short coats and floppy ears. The AKC’s Vizsla breed page lists them at 21 to 24 inches tall and about 44 to 60 lbs, noticeably lighter than a Lab.
Vizslas are often called “velcro dogs” because they stick so close to their people. That loyalty is a good match for Clifford’s devotion to Emily Elizabeth. If you’re curious about the cross, my post on the Vizslador, the Vizsla and Lab mix has the details.
Why so many people think Clifford is a Lab
Personality is the strongest link between Clifford and a Labrador. Labs are friendly, patient with kids, keen to please and endlessly loyal. They’re also big, clumsy and occasionally destructive by accident, which is pretty much the plot of every Clifford story.
These are the Lab traits I see in Clifford:
- Devotion to his family, especially the kids
- Clumsiness from being bigger than the world around him
- A good heart that gets him into trouble
- Eagerness to help, even when it goes wrong
- Forgiveness from his people every single time
That last one is very Lab. At 10 months, Buck chewed through a heavy-duty nylon leash and half a wooden patio chair leg in under 20 minutes. Most Lab owners have a story like that. It’s hard to stay cross with a dog who’s so sure you’ll be pleased to see him.
Labs are also one of the most popular dog breeds in America, so they’re the big friendly dog most kids actually know. When a child sees a big friendly dog, a Lab is usually the picture in their head.
Labs are big, but not Clifford-big
A real Lab weighs about 55 to 80 lbs. Males stand about 22.5 to 24.5 inches at the shoulder and females about 21.5 to 23.5 inches, according to the AKC standard. My post on how big Labs get has the full breakdown.
That’s still a lot of dog for a small apartment, and a bouncy young Lab can knock over a toddler without meaning to. No real dog grows as big as Clifford, but a Lab is plenty big to live with.
The fox red Lab, the real-life Clifford
If any Lab looks like Clifford, it’s the fox red Lab. Fox red is a deep shade of yellow, ranging from rich ginger to dark red. It isn’t a separate color in the breed standard. Genetically, fox reds are yellow Labs at the darkest end of the range.
My guide to the fox red Labrador covers them in detail, and I think they’re the most striking Labs you’ll see. Here’s how a fox red Lab compares with Clifford:
| Trait | Clifford | Fox red Lab |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Bright, cartoon red | Deep ginger to dark red |
| Size | As big as a house | 55 to 80 lbs |
| Ears | Floppy, varies by artist | Short, hanging close to the head |
| Temperament | Kind, loyal, clumsy | Friendly, loyal, clumsy |
| Appetite | Not a big story point | Enormous (it’s a Lab) |
No Lab is as red as Clifford. A deep fox red gets surprisingly close, though, in the right light. Fox reds were common in early working lines and are still popular with field breeders.
Living with a red Lab
A fox red Lab is a Lab in every way except color. Same energy, same appetite, same shedding. If you’re drawn to one because of Clifford, these are the things to plan for:
- About an hour of exercise a day for a healthy adult
- Brushing 2 to 3 times a week, more in spring and fall
- A strict eye on treats and portions, because Labs gain weight easily
- Daily training in the first two years
- Sun can bleach a red coat lighter in summer
I’d pick a breeder for health testing, not for the deepest red. Hip, elbow and eye clearances and DNA tests matter far more than the shade.
Is a Clifford-style dog right for your family?
Clifford’s stories make a big dog look effortless. In real life, a big family dog takes daily work. If your kids have fallen in love with Clifford and you’re thinking about a Lab, here’s what I’d want you to know first:
| Question | What to expect with a Lab | My take |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Exercise, training and company every day | The biggest commitment |
| Mess | Shedding, muddy paws, water bowl splashes | Year-round |
| Cost | Large-breed food, vet care and insurance | Budget for a big dog |
| Kids | Great with children when trained and supervised | Teach kids the rules too |
| Lifespan | About 10 to 12 years | A long promise |
A Lab can be your family’s Clifford, but only if the grown-ups are on board. Kids lose interest. Labs don’t, and I’ve seen that play out more than once.
What Clifford teaches kids about dogs
The best thing about Clifford’s books isn’t the breed debate. The stories teach kids that big dogs make mistakes and still deserve love. Clifford knocks things over, gets stuck and causes chaos, and Emily Elizabeth forgives him every time.
These are the lessons I’d point out if you’re reading Clifford with a child who’s getting a real dog:
- Dogs make mistakes, and that’s okay
- Big dogs need space and gentle handling
- Taking care of a dog is a family job
- Kindness works better than shouting
I’d add one lesson the books skip: let sleeping dogs lie. Even the friendliest Lab doesn’t want to be hugged or climbed on while he’s resting.
Clifford beyond the books
Clifford has been on TV and in film for decades. A PBS animated series began in 2000, a new animated series followed in 2019, and a live-action film was released in 2021. Norman Bridwell kept writing Clifford books until his death in 2014, and Scholastic has sold well over 100 million copies of the series worldwide.
Over all those versions, Clifford’s look has changed again and again. Put an early book next to a recent cartoon and I’d forgive you for thinking they were different dogs. That’s one more reason no single breed fits him. Each new artist has drawn him a little differently.
Other big red dog breeds
If your family wants a red dog because of Clifford, a Lab isn’t your only choice. Based on my research, these are the breeds most often mentioned as “real Cliffords”, and each comes with very different needs:
| Breed | Size | What I’d want you to know |
|---|---|---|
| Fox red Labrador | 55 to 80 lbs | Friendly, food-driven, sheds heavily |
| Vizsla | About 44 to 60 lbs | Very high energy, hates being alone |
| Irish Setter | About 60 to 70 lbs | Long coat that needs regular grooming |
| Redbone Coonhound | About 45 to 70 lbs | A vocal scent hound with a big nose |
| Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | About 35 to 50 lbs | A small, busy retriever |
I’d choose by lifestyle, not color. A Vizsla and a Lab might look alike in a photo, but a Vizsla will need more running and more company than most families expect. Sizes vary by sex, so check the AKC breed page for each before you decide.
Naming a red Lab after Clifford
Plenty of red Labs end up called Clifford, or Cliff for short. I don’t blame anyone. Names matter less than people think, but a good one is short, easy to call across a park and doesn’t sound like a command.
Buck is named after the dog in Jack London’s The Call of the Wild, for his thick golden coat and his working attitude. Book dogs make great names. If Clifford feels too obvious, these are a few ideas I like for a red Lab:
- Rusty, Ginger or Copper for the color
- Emily, after Emily Elizabeth, for a female
- Bridwell, if you want a nod to the creator that only fans will spot
- Red, short and easy to shout
Whatever you choose, I’d test it out loud a few times. Really. If it sounds like “sit” or “no”, pick again.
FAQ
What breed is Clifford the Big Red Dog?
Clifford doesn’t have an official breed. None. His creator, Norman Bridwell, never named one. The earliest drawings were based on a large bloodhound, and fans often compare him to a Vizsla or a fox red Labrador because of his color and personality.
Is there a real red Labrador like Clifford?
Yes, the fox red Labrador is the closest real-life match. It’s a deep red shade of yellow, not a separate color, and it’s accepted under the breed standard. A fox red Lab is much smaller than Clifford but has the same friendly, loyal personality.
Why is Clifford red?
Because Norman Bridwell had red paint on his drawing table the night he painted him. He said the color was simply what was at hand. It became Clifford’s signature look and helped the character stand out on bookshelves.
Is Clifford a Vizsla?
Not officially, but the Vizsla is a popular theory because of its solid golden-rust coat. Vizslas are lean Hungarian pointing dogs, lighter than Labs. Like the Labrador and bloodhound theories, it’s a fan interpretation rather than a fact from the books.
How big is a real Labrador compared with Clifford?
A real Lab weighs about 55 to 80 lbs and stands about 21.5 to 24.5 inches tall, depending on sex. Clifford grows to the size of a house in the books. A Lab is still a big dog for a family, so plan for his size, strength and energy.
A last word from me
Buck will never be red, and he’ll never fit a child on his back. But he has Clifford’s heart: big, clumsy and completely devoted. If you ask me, that’s the bit that makes Clifford a Lab in spirit, whatever breed the artist had in mind.
