Redbone coonhounds are a joy to own. Made famous by the book (and now movie) Where The Red Fern Grows. This breed has virtually ZERO breed specific health issues, is great with kids, highly trainable and has tons of heart that is eager to please.
One of 6 coonhound breeds, the Redbone is most commonly referred to even by owners of the other 5 coonhound breeds as the most attractive of all the coonhound types.
Caring for a Redbone Coonhound is easy but there are certain things that you should know in order to make your ownership of one more enjoyable.
Things You'll Need
- Redbone Coonhound from a reputable breeder
Instructions
First, be sure that you obtain your Redbone Coonhound from a reputable breeder who places emphasis on breeding for genetic health, superior temperaments, breed type and hunting ability.
Once you have your puppy, be sure the puppy is kept up to date on vaccinations and wormings. If you purchased your puppy from a reputable breeder, your puppy will have come to you with at least one set of shots already but they will need a series of 3 at about 3-4 wks apart in order to be properly protected.
From day one of your relationship with a redbone coonhound, you need to monitor their ears. No, not just in how irresistibly cute the long floppy ears are but how healthy the insides of them are. All dogs with long, floppy ears are at higher risk for ear infections due to the dark, damp conditions with limited air circulation created by it's very design. However, it's easy to keep tabs on and there are many commercially available ear cleaners available out there as well as some nice homemade recipes to make your own - just be sure to research the ingredients or get it from a reputable coonhound fancier.
Keep your redbone coonhound in a fenced in yard when not involved in some other activity such as hunting. There is an old saying for coonhounds which is "When the nose is open, the ears are shut." Being a scenthound, this saying has validity.
Understand that a redbone coonhound is a hunting breed. Having one may cause your cat, ferret, pet bunny or other similar pets to be chased or worse. These encounters or friendships should be monitored.