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 THE
REDBONE
COONHOUND
Excellent trail and tree hound and the perfect family dog.
The Redbone is considered by many people to be the most intelligent
and by far the most beautiful of the Coonhound breeds. Many breeders
and judges consider the Redbone to be the most beautiful dog in the world.
Description
A
handsome, robust and strong dog with a clean, well-modeled
head with a medium stop between the brow and nose. The long, hanging ears
extend to the tip of the nose or beyond. When the dog is following a sent,
the tail is held upright. The paws are compact and catlike, with thick,
strong pads. The skin is a rich color of red. The coat is shiny and
smooth, lies flat, and is short like that of a Beagle. Coat colors include
red, and red with a little white. Some Redbones might have traces of white
on their feet and chest, this is considered a fault. This friendly,
elegant dog is the only solid-colored Coonhound.
Personality
The Redbone is
happy, even-tempered and very good with
children. It can be surprisingly affectionate and has a
pleasant-sounding bark. They love being with their people. Sometimes
considered to be a one-man dog. If
 raised
indoors from puppyhood, it will adapt well to family life. Redbones are all
instinctive hunters, and it is not difficult to train the
breed to follow scent and tree a quarry. The Redbone has a strong
desire to please his master. They are hotter-nosed, able to
locate, and faster to tree coons than many other Coonhounds. The Redbone is
alert, quick, and able to work in all types of weather
over difficult terrain. Their agility benefits them when hunting
in fenced or steep country and rocky ground. With the thrusting grit of a
Terrier and the pumping stamina of a Husky, it is every hunters dream
come true. A natural treeing instinct has been bred into the
Redbone. Making them specialists in coon hunting. They are also
proficient in trailing and treeing bear, cougar, and bobcat. When
used on game, Redbones often hunt in packs. Redbones are known to make
excellent water dogs. They are natural swimmers. In the home he is
affectionate and kind. The Redbone should
be well socialized at an early age and taught simple obedience like walking
on a leash. Be careful with cats and other non-canine pets. If raised with
a kitten from puppyhood they will be okay, but some Redbones try to hunt
cats down like Raccoons. Some Redbones drool a lot while others do not at
all. It all depends on the shape of the lips.
Height:
21-27 inches (53-66 cm.)
Weight:
Weight: 40-90 pounds
Health Problems -
The Redbone is usually a
healthy breed.
The
Redbone will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised.
They are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large
yard. Their all-weather coat allows them to live and sleep outdoors
and work in all kinds of terrain.
Exercise
This
breed needs a lot of physical exercise. Redbones are born natural
hunters, so they have a tendency to run off and hunt if they are not
kept well fenced while exercising on their own.
Life Expectancy
About
10-15 years.
Grooming
An
occasional brushing will do. This breed is a light shedder.
Origin
 Years
ago most coon hunters, who owned a red dog of unknown ancestry, but proven
ability in tracking and treeing Raccoons, called their dog a “Redbone”.
Then a few serious breeders who were devoted both to the breed and the sport
began a campaign of selective breeding to produce a hound with the necessary
characteristics and which would breed true to type in color and
conformation. Breeders in the America South, Tennessee and Georgia to be
precise, desired a hound with more speed and a hotter sniffer
than many of the existing Coonhounds. The first dogs were commonly called “Saddlebackes”.
The background color was red, and most of them possessed black saddle
markings. By selective breeding, the black saddle was bred out and the
solid red dogs became known as Redbone Coonhounds. As is the case with most
of the other Coonhound breeds, the ancestors of the Redbone were Foxhounds.
A Bloodhound cross is said to have been made, and it’s also said to account
for the white chest and feet markings which still occasionally show up in
Redbone pups today. The result of this mixture makes them a reliable dog,
as the breeds moderate size, Foxhoundish appearance,
and courage are in its nature. They are used primarily for
treeing coon, but can be adapted to other game, including big cat,
bear, and hogs. This hound may have been named after an early
breeder, Peter Redbone of Tennessee, although much of its breeding has taken
place in Georgia. The foundation stock of modern day Redbone came from
Georgia F.L. Birdsong of Georgia, who was a noted foxhunter and breeder. He
obtained the pack of Dr. Thomas Henry in the 1840’s. The Redbone was the
second coonhound breed to be registered with U.K.C.
Today it is used to hunt
Raccoon, Bear, Mountain Lions, hogs, and also as a wonderful pet
and companion.
History
Scottish immigrants brought handsome red Foxhounds to America in the late
1700’s, and Red Irish Foxhounds were imported before the Civil War. By the
late 18th century, some coon hunters began breeding for hotter
nosed, faster dogs that were swifter at locating and faster at treeing
Raccoons. They used the hot; swift Irish Hounds in their breeding programs
and the Redbone Coonhound evolved into a recognizable, respected breed well
before 1900. While other coonhound breeders selected only for function,
Redbone breeders, for a period of several years, concentrated on breeding a
nearly solid-colored, flashy, red dog. As soon as the
eye-catching color bred true, these serious hunters once again selected
for performance. Today both attributes are well established in the breed.
Widely used and acclaimed for its speed and agility from low lands
to steep, rocky hills, the Redbone Coonhound is an adaptable hunter
with a good, cold nose. An excellent swimmer with a pleasant
voice, the Redbone is an excellent choice for the hunter who wants an
honest, versatile, and intelligent dog. From the beginning,
the Redbone has been bred for the purpose of treeing game, and the
treeing is natural, as it has been bred into the Redbone for many
generations.
Redbones are excellent pets. They do not normally bite people.
Excellent on the farm or home, they will do well in competition hunts
and shows.
 We
breed the best looks, intelligence, and
personality. Our pups will usually please you.
When
better Redbones are bred, they are bred in Tennessee by COPELAND.
If
you want a GOOD dog call us.
Come
visit us anytime, you are always welcome.
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