A handsome , fond companion and an surpassing hunt partner , the sweet , gentle — and talkative!—redbone coonhound is a wondrous strain for a person or class who bed the peachy outdoors .
One pleading glance from a wanted redbone coonhound and you ’ll belike be a sports fan for life . While his reputation as a driven tracking dog is well known , his endearing cuddlebug personality is a pleasant surprise . This tender disposal balanced with rambunctious strenuosity makes him a grand companion for a kin interested in sporting and nature bodily function .
Redbone coonhound puppies become special adults when they receiveearly socialization — specially when embark a home withyoung childrenorcats — that serve them promptly produce wonted to different scent , mass , and environments . They’re super smart , but if not on the trail of something specific , their soft - going personality means their tending might be diverted in an instant ( " squirrel ! " ) . Short , ordered sessions ofpositive reinforcement trainingwith a dedicated pet parent helps build a substantial , reactive relationship .
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Appearance
The gorgeoussleek and short ruddy coatof a redbone coonhound dog makes him a handsome pup indeed and sets him apartfrom other dog . And while breeders made a specific choice centuries ago to raise his red-faced appearance , some redbones might now and again have a jot of lily-white on their paws from one of their ancestors .
From his pollyannaish expression to the tip of his narrow , raise tail , a redbone is ready for action ! His hindquarters are high-pitched and lengthy , which give up him to bound over various terrain orwade through marsheswith ease . A slender redbone has the body of an endurance athlete : muscular , lean , and not too bulky .
Generally amedium - sized frump , a distaff redbone coonhound is n’t much smaller in elevation or less in weight compare to a male person : Both quantify 21–27 column inch tall and librate 45–70 pounds .
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The gentle redbone coonhound ’s temperament is now apparent in his circular , bright eyes of hazel , amber , or chocolate-brown that gaze at you with idolization and readiness . His silky long spike , so smooth to the touch , sheer around a broad gag just below the jawline .
Temperament
A redbone coonhound is n’t prone to laze on the front porch for too long , but he does enjoy cozying up with other class member when the day is done . However , before then , he ’s going to want to sniff and enquire many things ! Redbones thrive with right counselling fromexperienced dog ownerswho understand their need for consistent and diverse genial and physical arousal .
Danielle Madore ownsRimfire Kennelsin Amboy , N.Y. She say redbonesaren’t a vulgar stock throughout the U.S. , so many people might not have had the joy of their company . " They ’re a medium - vitality breed with moments of in high spirits energy . Because they ’re primarily ahunting blackguard , they can be excitable , and that ’s where the high vigor comes in , " Madore suppose .
A redbone coonhound ’s disposition , unflappable and favorable with his folk , is optical maser - focused when he ’s on a dark hunt or involved in landing field events such as water system races , work bench shows , and hunt tests . These training activities make for to a redbone ’s natural instincts : He was bred specifically to accomplish these challenges .
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He ’s also a liberal ol' clown ! " redbone are full of personality and erotic love to be around citizenry . They can be goofy with serious moments and really enjoy to spend time with their families , " Madore say . She add their fun - loving mentality makes themgood family firedog , as theylove the troupe of children — and they see no reason to set up themselves apart from you . " A redbone is n’t the right choice for you if you expect dogs to stay off furniture or not weasel their style into your bed . Those pleading centre can be very convincing ! " Madore says .
Along with his spurts of Energy Department and silliness is a redbone ’s inclination to be a chatterbox . " Coonhounds in general are also known for being quite vocal , and can be known to bay or bark when excited or curious , " says Alicen Tracey , DVM atDen Herder Veterinary Hospitalin Waterloo , Iowa , and a Daily Paws Advisory Board fellow member .
Indeed , their " singing " ( also love as baying or crooning ) is exactly what hunting watch hope to pick up while out in the field , as it allows them to locate their redbone and his prey . Baying issimilar to ululation , except it ’s often more intense with motley tones and pitch . Madore says redbones are chatty in other ways , too , divvy up their feelings through " groans , whine , grunts , grumbles , and moan . " You wo n’t have towonder what your redbone thinks : He ’ll enjoin you !
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Madore adds that while redbone coonhounds aren’tincessant barkers , their bark are " loud and obtrusive . So be mistrustful about close neighbors or lots of activity in the area that may provoke them to skin . " A legal transfer at the front door or leaves blowing past a windowpane might also attract their attention and remind a rousing response if they ’re ungratified or bored , so it ’s essential to provide them withenriching troth .
Madore says redbones will test boundaries , so establish firm guidelines and routines when they ’re pup . " They do best withshort preparation sessionsthroughout the day — we say ' determine them up for success , then end the sitting . ' "
Living Needs
Tracey says redbone coonhound do better in a home with afenced - in yardto explore scents and play . " Due to the nature of their breed as a scenthound , they do tend to follow their nose , which can sometimes get them in trouble , " she say . It ’s significant that play area have tall , secured fencing that he wo n’t bound over .
Also , take time to train a redbone on aproper harnessso he does n’t dash off hot on a scent without you during public pleasure trip . As Tracey note , a redbone ’s nose can sometimes chair him to a piazza he should n’t be , because he simply ca n’t avail but chase after critters . Sokeep the harness and leash onfor insouciant , non - sporty outings .
Although they ’re a laid - back , adaptable strain , redbones require frequent outlet for their bursts of DOE and inquisitive natures , and their houndy vocalization might not always please apartment neighbor . But ifa fresh ownercombines daily opportunity for participating geographic expedition along with right mental stimulation , a redbone living in a more urban setting might be quenched with regularinvigorating hikesin Grant Wood orrunning trail nearbythat tantalize his nose and touch off his rarity .
Placing baby redbone coonhounds inpuppy kindergartenshortly after theirvaccinationsprovides a warm preparation cornerstone forpositive behaviorssuch as rope walking , come when called , vocalization cues , and other important life skills . Early socialising also helps them adjust to cats , small hotdog , and tike in their new environs . " They thrive in a home where people want their blackguard to be a part of their everyday life , and [ they ] typically love to be part of a multi - dog household , " Madore says .
She also sharpen out that redbone are quite sore , so if you happen toadopt an adultwith an unknown history , take time to desegregate him bit by bit into your household . This is especially important if you ’re not sure how he ’ll oppose in an environs with cat and other lowly creature , as some redbone may never lose thosetrack and track hound instincts . If his background is a closed book , work with an fauna behaviorist may help — or perhaps it ’s best to only adopt a redbone if you have other average - to - prominent dogsat home .
Also be mindful that not all breeder are created equal , Madore says . " search and take the time to select one that has the character of frump you ’re looking for in looks and temperament . "
Care
As boisterous as they can be outdoors , redbone coonhounds are fond of their creature solace , especially in dusty conditions ! Aninsulating coatorwarm sweaterfor casual sashay is an alternative if they ’re not hightail it a lot . They might also like acomfy couchorfuzzy bedof their own — but will still in all likelihood steal your space !
Overall , though , they ’re a intrepid , easy - care breed . A redbone coonhound is notconsidered to be " hypoallergenic"and his short , sleek coating of coarse hairdoes shed a bite , but a goodweekly brushinghelps keep it under control . He does n’t need too many bath unless he ’s encountered something on the trail , but some owners palpate redbones have a " houndy " odor that is unique to them . Use grooming time tocheck his tooth , too .
Tracey says floppy - eared dogs like redbones are prostrate to ear infection , so give those silky flaps a good hinderance and clean every week . " Coonhoundear infectionsare typically a miscellany of bacteria and barm and are usually well regale . It would be wise for coonhound owners toroutinely scavenge their dog ’s earsto assistant keep infection at bay laurel , " she says . " While it was previously thought that scratch alcohol / peroxide or acetum were estimable cleaners for dog ears at rest home , these can be abominable or toxic if your dog ’s pinna drums are n’t entire . Therefore , massaging a small amount of formulized ear clean into the ear , and using a cotton chunk to remove the superfluous fluid , is good . "
Madore adds the master maintenance subject redbone favorite parent report to her is their domestic dog ' resistivity tonail passementerie . " If not part of the normal routine , they ’ll avoid having them done at all costs , " she says . " We always advocate hold back it up from a very young age , and it will bear off as an adult . "
Health
A redbone coonhound ’s lifespan is commonly up to 15 years , as this dog isgenerally a sound stock . They sometimes developskin allergiesorcherry eye . Tracey notes a duet of other issues that might occur .
" with child - stock dogs are commonly know to inherit elbow orhip dysplasia , or deformity of the hip joint , that makes them prostrate to degenerative joint disease andarthritis , " she says .
And because coonhound are a late - chested breed , they sometimes modernise gastric dilatation , or gastric dilation volvulus ( GVD ) also known as bloat . " GVD refers tostomach bloatand contortion , whereas gastric dilation refers to accelerator pedal distension of the stomach without torque , " Tracey says . " Both are serious medical condition that require immediate veterinary care . "
Tracey observe that common signs of bloat include unproductive gagging / retching , stretching out and signs of being uncomfortable , or abdominal distension or infliction . " The cause of bloat is unmanageable to nail , but normally bloat is seen after eating or drink big amounts followed by intense exercise . "
Madore summate that stock breeder are also testing for specific center issues such ascanine dilated cardiomyopathy , or DCM , which decreases the heart ’s ability to pump blood through the vascular system .
History
The lineage of redbone coonhounds is somewhat of a mystery . TheUnited Kennel Club ( UKC)suggests they belike originate in Georgia during the mid-1800s withEnglish foxhoundbreeder George F.L. Birdsong , who foil his dogs withbloodhoundsand different European hound , such as theIrish wolfhoundand the Grand Bleu de Gascogne .
stigmatise with a blue - colored " saddle , " redbones were originally bear on to as " saddlebacks . " As breeders worked to develop a more true - to - typecast solid red coat and body contour , the saddle bit by bit faded away . The name redbone is considered to not only be a reference to his fur , but perhaps to a celebrated hound breeder in Tennessee , Peter Redbone , as well .
The primary procreation goal was to make a right scenthound with exceptional tracking abilities . American compound hunter relied on redbone coonhound to place prey that helped feed their families , such as cervid , fox , and of course , racoon , plus larger secret plan such as bobcat , cougar , and bear . A coonhound ’s keen olfactory organ , bountiful endurance , and inherent tenacity enabled him totrail animalseasily and , especially in racoon hunts,“tree"them until the hunters arrived for capture .
The redbone develop a rather good"cold nose,“too — which means he has the ability to detect an old scent and follow it . However , his cousin , thebluetick coonhound , is regard by many hunters to be better at this type of tracking .
The UKC file the redbone coonhound in 1902 , and the American Kennel Club did so more than 100 years afterwards , in 2010 .
