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Advice on Temperament

My husband and I are considering buying a Redbone. We both love what we have read about the breed, but are concerned about whether we would be able to train it not to run away. We live In a rural area, have lots of room for the dog, and, although we don't hunt, we would be able to give it plenty of exercise. Still, we would like to be able to walk with it as a companion without a leash on our property. Can you give us any advice on whether this would be possible?
Thanks

yes

I have a Nt Ch male that I very rarely use a leash on pleasure hunting. He know what heal, come, and stay means. Trick is start young and be consistent they are smart dogs.

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Sam Hodges
678-972-9034
NTCH GRCH"PR" S&J's The Ghost of Jesse James (Red)
7th place reg @ WC 11
Cast win @ AO 2010
Cast win @ winter classic 09
4th ARD 09 all red hunt
"pr" Glisson's Lil Girl(Red)
"PR" Sambo's Sh'ainta Walker(Red)
"pr" Glisson's Miracle Girl(Red) RIP Lucky girl

In Loving Memory of
GrNtCh Ch "pr" Malleys Southern Red Colonel
High Scoring Redbone W/Classic 09
1st Fellowship Hunt ARD09
Co-Owned with Spencer Glisson

Thanks, Sam. That's good to know and very encouraging.

Most Redbones I have owned and been around that were socialized and trained rite seem to always want to please their owners.

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HOME OF TREE TALKIN REDBONES
Nitch Tree Talkin Tater
Pr Tree Talkin Sweat Ann- deceased
Pr Tree Talkin Red Hot Sister
Nitch Tree Talkin Brotheer T- Bone
Nitch Tree Talkin Shorty
Pr Tree Talkin Red Harley
Pr Tree Talkin Brother Re Pete

I let mine out all the time but don't turn your back too long or they are gone hunting. Mine get hunted a lot too so they are a little more laid back. They need a lot of excercise. I wouldn't reccomend one as just a pet without a job for it to do. They are a working breed.

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Montana Red Kennels - Redbones that catch game and hold it untill you get there.

Gr.Nt.Ch.Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Bobcat Bustin Billy

Nt.Ch.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Coon Slammin Sage

Gr.Nt.Ch.Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Tree Bangin Buddy

Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Kim's Cat Crazy Maci

'PR' MT Red's Tree Ringin Rhea

(406)564-3061

All of mine were trained young to "stick around# but as soon as another dog was loose with them, they were GONE, ears completely shut off

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Jealousy is the most honest compliment anyone can receive ~ L. Key
He who stirs the pot, deserves to lick the spoon.

I have one that comes in the house with us and everything very smart and listens great. He will stay around the house unless he isnt being hunted regularly and then he will take off if you dont keep an eye on him. Just dont let them get bored or they will go find something to do and that is usually hunting.

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Troy Arnold

Redbones
CH Baptist Baxter
Baptist Bella

Mine all come in the house and listen well. They're still hounds though. I've seen more than on case where people get them for pets and it isn't very long and they are trying to give the dog away because it barks or runs away or won't leave the cat alone. Not saying it's always that way just usually. It's a shame to see. There are lots of breeds out there that make great pets, hounds usually don't. Sounds like a border collie would be great for you. Lots of energy and super smart. They are working dogs too but won't run off and are great family dogs.

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Montana Red Kennels - Redbones that catch game and hold it untill you get there.

Gr.Nt.Ch.Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Bobcat Bustin Billy

Nt.Ch.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Coon Slammin Sage

Gr.Nt.Ch.Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Tree Bangin Buddy

Gr.Ch. 'PR' MT Red's Kim's Cat Crazy Maci

'PR' MT Red's Tree Ringin Rhea

(406)564-3061

Hennie,
Before deciding on a dog, I think it's important that we take the time to consider a few important factors.

1) What purpose should the dog provide me and or my family?
2) What can we provide the dog in terms of environment and care? 3) Most importantly, is the environment we can provide best suited for the breed?

There are others but I think these three should be at the top of the list.

Redbones are a hunting breed. Therefore, most of them will be much happier if in a hunting environment. Redbone Coonhounds do typically also make a great companion but more so in the terms of hunting expeditions between master and hound. Sure, some hounds make decent pets but not most.

Like Kevin; I'd suggest considering other breeds out there that might be a better fit. Although.... a collie has it's preferred environment also.

Good luck in your search Hennie. That perfect dog for you is definitely out there.

Hunting pets

Ours Redbones are great pets, they love attention and spending time with us. My Daughter took one to 4H obediance training and he did real good. But if left loose alone, they will go hunting. That is what they are bred to do.

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Darrin Gher
Elbridge Redbones
Home of
GRNTCH PR' Steve-O and Chili's Red Flow
NTCH PR' Twisters Musical Red Huey DNA-VIP Perf Sire 06'07 Deceased 11/07
Former Home of
NTCH 'PR' Swann's Lonesome Red Music/ Kitty
NTCH. CH PR' SawBlade Red Reckon
NTCH. CH PR' Gher's Timber Mt. Brandy
Breeder of
GRNTCH PR' Daugherty's Red BUBBA
NTCH CH PR' BA'S Tree Top Rockin Griddle
NTCH PR' Lickcreek Backwoods Lil Red Annie

Thanks to all. I appreciate your help.

Hennie

I have two pet redbones that also hunt, and I know a number of people that keep them as pets alone. If you are considering keeping one as a pet, go to coonhoundcompanions.com to look for information, and ask other pet redbone owners on yahoo's redbones group (for rebone housedogs).

While redbones are pretty good at all things pet, they are bred to go hunting. They will look for something--anything--to hunt if you don't hunt them. Within my fenced yard, they hunt frogs and woodchucks and just about anything else that moves, and they will do their best to break through the fence if they can to get to a coon or bear.

I take mine with me everywhere, and if we go into the woods during the day when we aren't hunting, they will spend most of their time out of my sight, checking in only every ten or twenty minutes or so. I can hike or collect mushrooms with them, but its not like hiking with most other breeds--they know where I am but without their tracking collars, I don't know where they are. Sometimes they will get on a scent trail and get treed when they're not supposed to be hunting, but I don't reprimand them for that as long as its something they are allowed to hunt.

You probably won't be able to let the hound run loose, even on a very large property, unless you are willing to keep an ear out for it and go bring it home if it gets treed. Most will come home eventually, but not before they've driven the neighbors crazy with their barking for hours on end or they've crossed a busy road without looking. And they aren't easy to fence in--It took me 2 years to get my fence (that had been adequate for the previous dog, a ridgeback 50% bigger) fully secure enough to keep mine loose in my yard, and I still don't leave them loose in the fenced yard if no one is home. They either need to be tied or securely kenneled if they are outside without supervision. Inside, they will be perfectly behaved all day. If I am home, they will tell me if they get a whiff of something they want to hunt, and I will either bring them in or put on their tracking collars and go with them.

If you want a hound-like dog that you can let run loose without supervision, you might enjoy a cur.

You don't have to kill animals to hunt them, but you do have to let redbones use their noses or they will get bored . Coonhounds are perfectly happy doing catch and release hunting, which is what happens at the UKC events. I suggest you go to a UKC coonhound event near you and check out the field trials and water races, and maybe even spectate on a nite hunt--tons of fun. Upcoming events are listed here:
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf...ound&Type=M
If that doesn't work for you, almost any other dog sport, or even making scent trails with a hot dog, will help keep your hound out of mischief.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of hounds that aren't very good hunters, and almost anyone on here can point you to one that doesn't have enough drive to be a good hunter. A lot of people hunters will give you one like that if you spay or neuter it. That's your best bet for finding an easy pet hound--start with a grown dog rather than a pup.
But also be aware that some hounds are "late starters." Hounds' hunting instincts can switch on suddenly. Most start hunting by a year or two old, but I've known very good hunters that didn't show much interest in hunting until they were four.

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esp

Emily-
Thanks so much for your detailed response and
great suggestions. I will definitely plan to attend a coonhound event. I'm sure it will be enlightening!