“THEY HAVE A DISTINCTIVE FLOWING MOVEMENT, IT IS DELIBERATE IN STRIDE, NOT TO BE MOVED AND RAN WITH LIKE A SPORTING DOG.”
life when game is present almost like turning on a light switch. So when making my choices, I look for the dog that has substance and structure to help denote its abil- ity to do its job with breed character- istics known only to the Redbone. A twenty pound coon or five hundred pound bear or hog can be hunted by the same exact dog so it has to fit the standard to be able to do its job. They meet their game head on, in most cases. Remember they do not need to become the prey but if the tables are turned, they need to be able to stand their own ground. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Lori Mills is a Judge and Breeder of Coonhounds. She has been direct- ly involved with Coonhounds all of her life, which is pushing five decades. Lori has hunted these dogs in almost every aspect possible, which includes coon, deer, hog, bear and cat and when judging or evalu- ating any breed, she finds herself not only resorting back to the breed standard but the purpose for which the dog was refined.
also left some length of nail, not long toe nails but not nubs, they have a purpose in their hunting. They have a distinctive flowing movement, it is deliberate in stride, not to be moved and ran with like a sporting dog. The dog is winding the air and hunting for game as it is mov- ing through the terrain that includes swamp, rivers, creeks, fields, woods and mountains. A dog that is running wide open is most likely overrunning the scent and losing his game trail. In the same terms, a dog that can- not move freely and have reach and drive and just pokes along is going to have to catch a cab to get to its game because by now it is in the next coun- ty. These dogs are hunters and should be viewed as such. Dogs that are dual purpose hounds will most likely tote battle scars, piec- es of ear missing, split ears, scars on their head or legs, clouded or blind- ed eyes. They will also be missing hair sometimes, especially under the chest from underbrush and around the throat area from tracking collars and/or multiple collars worn while hunting and training. The hair also,
when it grows back in most cases, comes back in white; you can tell the difference in white hairs scantily on the throat from being pulled out or rubbed off, totally different than that of being white up the throat. Being a breeder and hunter, I easily overlook these battle wounds and take them in with admiration. Redbones should give an overall impression of being sound and ath- letic, with the dog being judged as a whole package and not a specific color or height. Everything should be in proportion. The Redbone, when viewed from a distance, should have a distinction in sex also. The bitches and dogs shouldn’t have to have an under carriage check in most cases. The bitch is a little more elegant, in most cases, and has more tuck up. She also may not be as heavy in body but should have enough substance about her to take on her quarry of game. The dogs in temperament are very even tempered but are very aggressive on game. The show ring is tolerated by most. Not saying they do not enjoy showing but most of them come to
“DOGS THAT ARE DUAL PURPOSE HOUNDS WILL MOST LIKELY TOTE BATTLE SCARS...”
336 • S how S ight M agazine , S eptember 2017
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