REDBONE COONHOUNDS FROM A JUDGE’S PERSPECTIVE by LORI MILLS W hen judging and evalu- ating Redbone Coon- hounds, I look for the overall dog. I start at the
seen but felt. A dog should not look like a drag race car running around the ring or standing still; higher in the rear than the front. I look for adequate muscle; Redbones have a leaner tight- er muscle, it varies with dog type but must be present, not flabby or boney. A nice saber-like tail, free of curl and heavy brush. This is a single coated breed and has a short length coat with various shades of red, varying from a golden red coat to a dark mahogany coat. Note that the coat changes dur- ing the lifespan of the dog. As the dog gets older, the coat starts to get lighter in color and grey can appear on the muzzle, cheeks and toes as early as fouryears of age, much like a Plott Hound graying in the same areas. The hindquarters should never be straight or cow hocked, it doesn’t allow for a free moving dog. Nor should they be over angulated. The forelegs and pas- terns should be straight and the feet well padded and cat-like with nice short toes. Front legs should not toe in or out but should be straight on when viewed. Front dewclaws are left on for another source of grabbing onto the tree while baying (treeing) game. Back dewclaws are a fault, not permissible. Most of the Redbones are
head and work down over the body to the feet, legs and tail. I am looking for a nice houndy head, with a nice ear set, not bloodhound in type and not high set with a sporting dog type ear hang or length. The standard says it should reach almost to the end of the nose, not to the middle of the cheek; I like it touching the nose in length, propor- tionate with the dogs head. A good dark eye or, in exception, a hazel colored eye, usually coordinating with a medi- um golden red coat. A darker dog with a lighter eye is not favorable. When look- ing into a Redbones eyes, it is a plead- ing expression you are looking for. It is usually a look that melts most peoples hearts, you almost cannot tell them no on whatever they are asking for. A nice well balanced head is the first thing you should see in the breed. Then, reaching down the neck, which should have a slight arch in it and the throat should have a slight fold under the jaw. Then onto the back, a nice lay of shoulders and a good spring of rib. Slightly taller at shoul- ders than the hips—not necessarily
“WHEN LOOKING INTO A REDBONES EYES IT IS A PLEADING EXPRESSION YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. IT IS USUALLY A LOOK THAT MELTS MOST PEOPLES HEARTS...”
S how S ight M agazine , S eptember 2017 • 335
Powered by FlippingBook