There are a few interesting facts about the Redtick Hound that you must know before you decide to adopt this breed. The Redtick Coonhound is a fantastic dog that is known for its loyalty and hunting abilities.
Redtick Coonhounds, better known as American English Coonhounds, go all the way back to when the first settlers arrived in the United States. However, it was only recently that they were given AKC recognition. They are directly linked to the Virginia Hound.
Learn more fun facts about Redtick Coonhounds by reading below.
Before scrolling down this list of interesting facts about Redtick Hound, check out: Top 8 Dog Red Haired Breeds and Best Dog Brushes for Short Hair Shedding.
8 Facts About the Redtick Coonhound
Following are some interesting facts about this breed that every dog lover must know:
1. History and Facts About the Redtick Coonhound
As with many other types of coonhounds, the Redtick was first developed in the Southeastern United States, specifically in states like Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, where raccoon hunting has a long and storied tradition.
The earliest settlers to the United States brought a wide variety of hunting hounds with them. These canines are the direct ancestors of the hounds who came to this land with the original settlers. As a matter of fact, their ancestry can frequently be traced back to creatures that were native to the United States in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The Redtick Coonhound is a descendant of the Virginia Hound, which was brought to the Americas by George Washington, Thomas Walker, and Robert Brooke. They were trained to hunt foxes by day and raccoons at night.
This ultimately produced a dog that was significantly more persistent and tough than his Foxhound progenitor. The European version was consequently transformed into its American form, which aided in the breed’s progression in its new homeland.
After receiving official recognition from the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995 and being admitted into the hunting dog group in 2011, Redbone Coonhounds were then granted permission to compete in the National Dog Show. The year 2012 marks its debut at the American Kennel Club Championship as well as the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
This sturdy, energetic, and aggressive hunting dog is also capable of being a peaceful and calm member of the family. They are excellent hunters, but in addition to that, they appreciate the coziness of a home and the love of their family.
2. What Does a Redtick Coonhound Look Like?
The physique of the Redtick Coonhound is sturdy yet flexible, and it features a deep chest in addition to well-defined muscles. These dogs range in height from 21 to 27 inches, with females being just a hair shorter than their male counterparts.
They feature dark brown eyes, low-hanging ears, and a squared-off jaw in addition to a large head with a friendly face similar to that of a hound.
One of the most interesting facts about the Redtick Coonhound is that the breed is named after the “ticking” in their coat. Ticking is the tiny flecks of color on otherwise white parts of the body.
You can find them in a variety of colors and patterns on their tough, hairy coats. Their coat colors include red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with red and white ticking, and white and black.
3. Redtick Coonhounds are Easygoing
This dog breed is known for its gentle demeanor. They’re neither aggressive nor possessive, so they get along fine with other family dogs. They are easygoing as family animals, until their prey drive kicks in.
Because they have strong hunting instincts and a high prey drive, they are likely to chase. They may chase cars, wildlife, and other pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and cats.
Redtick Coonhounds are good with children, but it is important to keep an eye on them when they are around younger children because they could accidentally topple them over.
This breed is not recommended for those who live in close quarters or in apartments because, although they rarely bark, they do howl quite a lot. They were bred to be active hunting companions, so they have high activity requirements.
They would do best in a more rural setting, but it’s possible to make them happy in an expansive and secure backyard if that’s all you have available to you.
This Coonhound will like going for long runs or hikes with you. Despite their active nature, these dogs like the company of their human family and will often claim an empty sofa or bed to nap on during the day. Because of this, there are some owners who believe it is best to kennel their dogs outside rather than inside.
Once it detects a scent and begins to hunt, the Redtick Coonhound transforms into a single-minded and exceptionally dedicated hunter. But around the house, this breed is known for being friendly and quiet.
Even the most well-trained dogs have a tendency to bolt when they catch a whiff of something that smells appealing; therefore, it is imperative that you always put the dog on a leash whenever you take it outside.
4. Redtick Coonhounds are Eager to Please
Raccoon hunting is a breeze with these Coonhounds since they are so eager to please, but training them for anything else will take a lot of time and patience. They are intelligent, yet they are stubborn once they don’t want to do something. And they need to use that boundless energy by doing useful things.
Unfortunately, this is not the type of dog that can spend 10 months of the year indoors and then enjoy two months hunting outside. As a matter of fact, while they are outside hunting for extended periods of time, they have a propensity to overheat.
This is particularly the case when they become overly agitated or when the temperature exceeds the triple digits. In order to reduce the likelihood of this happening, they need to be regularly conditioned. This means that you need to regularly engage in activities such as taking them on long, brisk walks as well as on short hunts.
Though agility and other training can help compensate for the lack of trailing and hunting activities, you may be doing this dog an injustice. They must also be trained to walk close to or behind their people.
It is important to begin early socialization with these independent-minded hounds so that they do not develop habits that are possessive or reserved. They require the firm and consistent guidance of a human leader in order to be truly helpful companions.
Redtick Coonhounds that do not get adequate mental or physical activity might develop disruptive and high-strung behaviors if they are not properly stimulated. And they need a lot of room to play.
5. Redtick Coonhounds are Healthy
The Redtick Coonhound is an example of a breed that, on the whole, has good health. The average lifespan is between 12 and 15 years.
On the other hand, this dog has a predisposition toward developing hip dysplasia, a condition affecting the joints that can result in shallow hip sockets and joint laxity, ultimately resulting in arthritis and limping.
In most cases, coonhounds have a higher risk of developing the fungal disease known as blastomycosis. Coughing, anorexia, and weight loss are some of the symptoms.
This breed is also susceptible to megaesophagus, which is characterized by esophageal dilation in addition to hypomotility. The most prominent symptom is nausea and vomiting.
Keep an eye out for Coonhound paralysis or acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis in dogs that coonhunt. Raccoons can trigger a neurological disorder that causes paralysis in the back legs.
It’s possible for Redtick Coonhounds to have prognathism (undershot jaw) or brachygnathism (overshot jaw), both of which affect the jaw and teeth.
There is also a possibility that this Coonhound will suffer from retinal atrophy as well as persistent pupillary membranes.
Ear infections are a common problem for long-eared dogs, therefore, regular examinations are necessary.
Additionally, similar to other large, deep-chested breeds, the Redtick Coonhound might suffer from bloat. It’s crucial that you recognize the symptoms of this potentially fatal condition.
There are no AKC-recommended health tests for this breed at this time.
6. Redtick Coonhounds are Good Family Dogs
Whether Redtick Coonhounds make good family pets is very dependent on the individual family. It is possible for Redtick Coonhounds to make wonderful additions to families as pets; however, they do best with older children who are familiar with how to behave around dogs. And they have to find a family that can sustain their active lifestyle.
This breed could be ideal for a hunting family that lives in the country on a large plot of land. A Redtick Coonhound should go to a household that has trained dogs before and knows how to confidently enforce rules.
Finding a family that can accommodate the noise level and special needs of working animals is essential. The Redtick Coonhound could be a great addition to your family if you meet those requirements.
7. Redtick Coonhounds Have a Low Maintenance Coat
Your Redtick Coonhound’s coat will look and feel better with consistent grooming, but his healthiest coat will come from a balanced diet. His short, tough, protective coat needs very little maintenance.
Redtick Coonhounds require only the bare minimum of grooming. Even though they shed a substantial amount, Redticks only require occasional weekly brushing and a wash once every four to six weeks.
It is recommended that you use a shedding tool or a grooming glove with rubber nubs on him at least once a week in order to reduce the amount of hair that he sheds. This also helps spread his natural skin oils along the length of his hair, which makes his coat shine even more.
If you want to keep your dog’s hair and skin in good condition and minimize dog odor, you should clip his nails once a month and give him a bath once every four to six weeks. Checking for wax buildup and gently removing any debris from his ears once a week is recommended.
8. Redtick Coonhounds May Gain Weight Easily
Another surprising fact about the Redtick Coonhound is that they may gain weight easily. Even though they are very active dogs, they eat a lot, and they will eat anything you feed them.
The Redtick Coonhound should thrive on veterinary-approved, good-quality dog food, whether purchased commercially or cooked at home. A dog’s food should be tailored to its life stage, whether it’s a puppy, an adult, or an older dog. Keep in mind that a working dog has quite different nutritional needs than a couch potato.
Coonhounds tend to gain weight as they get older, so keep an eye on your pet’s food intake and overall size. While treats have their place in training, too much can lead to weight gain and hinder progress.
You should know what things you can feed your dog from the human diet and what you shouldn’t. If you’re worried about your dog’s nutrition or weight, it’s best to consult a vet.
Getting a Redtick Coonhound: The Good and Bad
Let’s start with the negatives.
Redtick Coonhounds are highly active dogs that thrive when given a job to do. They require a home with plenty of room to run and people who are comfortable with dogs.
Owners with experience who are able to play and exercise with their pets are ideal. These dogs are known to bark and howl loudly. That’s not going to appeal to everyone. They are highly motivated to hunt prey, so they have a high prey drive.
Therefore, not everyone should get a Redtick Coonhound. This is not the dog for you if you want a low-maintenance pet. However, there are many other benefits to owning a Redtick Coonhound as well.
They make excellent pets because of their sociability, friendliness, and charm. When they’re not on the prowl, they can be peaceful and kind. Redtick Coonhounds can make wonderful pets for families that can satisfy their high energy and stimulation requirements.
FAQs
Redtick Coonhounds range from 21 to 27 inches tall and weigh about 45-65 pounds, proportional to their height. They are at the higher end of a medium-sized breed based on their height and are medium-to-large based on weight.
Redtik Coonhounds are smart dogs that are eager to please, love to play, and are generally friendly. They are easy to train but may be stubborn at times. It may be surprising to find that this hunting breed is family-friendly, but they do great with older kids who know how to treat them well. Even though they are eager to please, they have a high prey drive, so it’s important to train them to listen well and keep them in environments that are safe for them.
When they’re not playing or searching for food, most Coonhounds that have been treated well are affectionate dogs that enjoy cuddling and being near their owners. They are known for being couch potatoes and enjoy cuddling.
Conclusion For “Interesting Facts About the Redtick Hound”
The Redtick Coonhound is a wonderful dog, but if you’ve read all the information above, you’ll quickly realize that this is not a dog for a newbie dog owner. There are many interesting facts about the Redtick Hound, and we hope our list did justice to them.
If you find this list of interesting facts about the Redtick Hound, you can check out these other guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
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If you find the Redtick Hound an interesting dog breed, you can learn more about this dog breed by watching “ALL ABOUT REDBONE & REDTICK COONHOUNDS” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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