The Redtick Coonhound is also called the American English Coonhound (by the AKC), because it was developed and bred in America by crossing English Foxhounds with local breeds. It is also referred to (more correctly) simply as the English Coonhound. The breed gets its name from the red patches or “ticks” in its coat.
This one of the 6 Coonhound breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. The others are the Treeing Walker Coonhound, the Redbone Coonhound, the Bluetick Coonhound, the Black and Tan Coonhound, and finally the Plott Hound.
Redtick Coonhound Temperament
This is a calm and quiet breed of dog. They get on well with other dogs in the home, and are not edgy or territorial. However their hunting instincts and high prey drive mean they may go after small pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and gerbils, for example. They do well with children, although they should be supervised around small kids, as they may knock a small child over by accident.
They don’t bark much, but do tend to howl, so they are not suited to apartment living or if you have close neighbors! As a breed developed for hunting, they are energetic and need a lot of exercise. They are probably better suited to rural life, although they can be happy if you have a large and well-fenced back yard.
If you are a runner or hiker, this Coonhound will love to accompany you on your excursions!
Although this is a high-energy dog, they generally love to make a comfortable nest in the house, and will claim an unoccupied sofa or bed to curl up on and snooze the afternoon away. Some owners prefer to keep their dogs outside in a kennel for this reason.
Although calm and amiable around the home, the Redtick Coonhound becomes single-minded and extremely determined once it picks up a scent and starts hunting. For this reason, you must always keep the dog on a leash when outdoors, as even the best trained dog is likely to take off if it detects an interesting small animal smell.
Redtick Coonhound Breed history
The roots of this breed go back to the early English settlers who arrived in the Southern states of the USA such as Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas. These settlers needed to hunt for food and clothing, and brought hunting dogs with them, one of them being the English Foxhound.
These Foxhounds were crossed with other breeds to develop a dog that was faster and stronger, and with a better sense of smell. This resulted in a dog able to hunt fox during the day and raccoon at night. It could track down raccoon, chase it up a tree and then alert the hunter by braying and howling around the bottom of the tree.
The United Kennel Club first recognized this breed as the English Fox and Coonhound in 1905. The English Fox and Coonhound was separated from the Treeing Walker Coonhound by the UKC in 1945. The following year, the Bluetick Coonhound was also split into an entirely different breed.
The English Coonhound (Redtick Coonhound) was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1995.
Ease of Training
The Redtick Coonhound is amiable and friendly, but not necessarily easy to train! They have a stubborn streak, and a quirky sense of humor. Training is best started early as a puppy, and basic training needs to be done in several short sessions each day, to stop the dog getting bored.
Grooming
The short hard coat only needs minimal grooming, such as a weekly brushing with a hound glove. They don’t tend to shed much hair, and weekly brushing will keep loose hairs down to a minimum. This breed doesn’t drool at all, and they make tidy house companions.
Ears should be checked weekly for any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or a bad smell. The teeth should be brushed each day with a small, soft brush and a dog-specific toothpaste, NOT a human toothpaste. The claws should be checked weekly and trimmed if needed to prevent cracking and splitting.
Vital Statistics:
Height; 24 – 26 inches (male), and 23 – 25 inches (female) (AKC figures)
Weight; 45 lbs to 65 lbs
Lifespan; 11 to 12 years
Colors; Redtick, Bluetick, tricolored and tricolored with ticking. However, red markings are predominant and “Redtick” is a common term for English Coonhounds.
Protection
Although this breed may make a useful guard dog, by virtue of its alert nature and distinctive howl or bray, they are not good guard dogs, as they are too friendly and amiable. They will greet and trust strangers, and allow them into the garden and house unchallenged.
Health Considerations
The Redtick Coonhound can be prone to a number of conditions, which include;
- Overheating on the hunt in hot summer months
- Hip Dyslplasia
- Bloat
