Redtick Hound

What Exactly Is a Redtick Hound?

If you've spotted a lean, long-legged hound with a white coat speckled in rust-red freckles bounding through the woods, you may have encountered a Redtick Hound. Unlike recognized purebreds, the Redtick Hound is a designer coonhound cross — most commonly a blend of the English Coonhound and the Redbone Coonhound, though some lines incorporate Bluetick Coonhound genetics to produce the distinctive "redtick" ticking pattern.

These dogs aren't a formal breed with a registry standard. Instead, they represent a working-line tradition stretching back centuries in the American South, where hunters selectively bred the best-tracking dogs regardless of pedigree paperwork. The result is a dog prized for nose, stamina, and voice — and increasingly, for companionship.

Because the Redtick Hound isn't a standardized breed, individual dogs vary significantly in size, coat pattern, and temperament. But experienced coonhound owners and hunters consistently describe a recognizable "type": athletic, vocal, affectionate with family, and utterly single-minded when a scent trail presents itself.

Origin Story: Bred for the Backcountry

The Redtick Hound's roots run deep in the rural American South — particularly Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and the Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas. These dogs descend from the Foxhounds brought by English settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries, which were then crossed with Bloodhounds, Irish Foxhounds, and other scent hounds to create dogs capable of tracking raccoon, bobcat, bear, and cougar through dense hardwood forests.

While formal coonhound breeds (English, Bluetick, Redbone, Treeing Walker) developed registry standards in the early-to-mid 20th century, many working hunters continued to cross-breed for performance rather than appearance. The Redtick Hound emerged from this tradition — a functional blend optimized for:

• Hot-nose tracking — the ability to follow fresh scent trails at speed
• Treeing instinct — baying at the base of a tree where prey has climbed
• Endurance — hunting 4–8 hours over rough terrain without tiring
• Voice — a distinctive, musical bay that carries long distances so hunters can follow by ear

Recognition Status

The Redtick Hound is not recognized as a standalone breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC), United Kennel Club (UKC), or Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). However, individual parent breeds hold recognition:

Some Redtick Hounds may be registered with coonhound-specific organizations like the United Kennel Club under coonhound categories if their parentage is documented, but most remain unregistered working dogs.

Physical Traits: What Does a Redtick Hound Look Like?

The Redtick Hound's most defining feature is the ticking pattern: small, distinct red or rust-colored spots scattered across a predominantly white coat. The density of ticking varies — some dogs are lightly freckled, while others appear almost solid red from a distance. The ears often carry heavier pigmentation, and many Redticks display red or rust patches over the eyes, on the ears, and at the base of the tail.

Compared to a purebred Redbone Coonhound (which is solid reddish-mahogany) or a Bluetick Coonhound (which features blue-gray ticking), the Redtick occupies a visual middle ground — white-based with warm-toned freckling. This is the primary visual distinction that separates Redticks from their parent breeds.

Temperament: What Surprises New Owners

People who adopt their first coonhound-type dog — Redtick or otherwise — are almost universally surprised by three things:

1. The Volume

Redtick Hounds bay. Not bark — bay. It's a deep, rolling, melodious howl that can carry half a mile through forest. In the field, this is a feature: hunters track their dogs by voice. In a suburban backyard at 2 AM because a raccoon crossed the fence line, it's a neighborhood-relations problem. According to the AKC's English Coonhound profile, these dogs were "bred to be vocal" and suppressing this instinct entirely is unrealistic.

2. The Off-Switch (or Lack Thereof Indoors)

Contrary to expectations, many Redtick Hounds are surprisingly calm and even lazy indoors — if they've had adequate exercise. They'll sprawl on the couch, lean against your legs, and sleep 12+ hours. But skip their daily run or scent work, and that calmness evaporates into destructive chewing, counter-surfing, and door-dashing.

3. The Nose Override

A Redtick Hound on a scent trail becomes functionally deaf. This isn't disobedience — it's a neurological priority shift. Their olfactory processing literally overwhelms other stimuli. This is why secure fencing (minimum 6 feet, with a dig guard at the base) and leash-only policies in unfenced areas are non-negotiable for this type of dog.

With family members, Redtick Hounds are typically affectionate, gentle with children they're raised alongside, and sociable with other dogs (they were bred to hunt in packs). They tend to be aloof with strangers rather than aggressive, and they make poor guard dogs despite their imposing voice.

How Rare Are Redtick Hounds Today?

Because the Redtick Hound is a cross rather than a registered breed, there are no official population counts. However, based on breeder listings, coonhound rescue intakes, and hunting community surveys, they are considered uncommon outside of the rural South and Midwest. You'll find the highest concentrations in:

• Tennessee and Kentucky (primary breeding regions)
• Southern Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois
• The Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas
• Rural Virginia and the Carolinas

In urban and coastal areas, Redtick Hounds are rare enough that most people — including many veterinarians — won't immediately recognize them. They're sometimes mistaken for Bluetick Coonhounds with unusual coloring, Australian Cattle Dog mixes, or even Pointer crosses.

Care Requirements: What This Dog Actually Needs

Exercise Specifics

A 20-minute leash walk is not sufficient exercise for a Redtick Hound. These dogs were bred to cover 10–20 miles of rough terrain in a single hunt. For a pet Redtick, aim for:

• Daily: 60–90 minutes of vigorous activity — off-leash running in a secure area, hiking, jogging, or structured scent work
• Weekly: At least one longer outing (2–4 hour hike, field work, or lure coursing if available)
• Mental: Nosework games, frozen Kongs, scatter feeding — coonhounds thrive when their nose is "working"

Grooming & Ear Care

The short, smooth coat is low-maintenance — a weekly pass with a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt handles shedding. However, the long, pendulous ears are a significant health maintenance item. Moisture and debris trapped in the ear canal create ideal conditions for bacterial and yeast infections. Clean ears twice weekly with a veterinarian-approved ear cleanser (look for products containing salicylic acid or boric acid). If your Redtick swims, clean ears immediately after every water exposure.

Breed-Specific Health Concerns

As a crossbreed, Redtick Hounds may benefit from hybrid vigor — the tendency for mixed-breed dogs to have lower rates of certain inherited conditions compared to their purebred parents. However, they remain susceptible to conditions common across the coonhound family. Always consult your veterinarian for personalized health guidance.

Redtick Hound vs. Similar Breeds: A Comparison

The Redtick Hound most closely resembles the English Coonhound in build and temperament, but with the Redbone's red pigmentation expressed as ticking rather than a solid coat. If you're drawn to the coonhound temperament but want a dog that's slightly more distinctive in appearance than a standard Bluetick or Redbone, the Redtick fills that niche — though availability is far more limited.

Finding a Redtick Hound: Breeders, Rescues, and Red Flags

Where to Look

Because Redtick Hounds aren't registry-standardized, you won't find them through typical AKC breeder directories. Your best avenues include:

• Working coonhound breeders in Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and Virginia — many produce Redtick-patterned pups as part of English Coonhound × Redbone Coonhound litters
• Coonhound rescue organizations — groups like Coonhound Companions and regional hound rescues frequently take in Redtick-type dogs
• Hunting community networks — coonhound field trial clubs and online forums (such as the UKC coonhound community) are good sources for breeder referrals
• Rural shelters in the Southeast — Redtick and coonhound mixes are commonly surrendered when owners underestimate exercise and vocalization needs

Typical Pricing

Red Flags to Watch For

• Prices over $2,000 — this is a crossbreed, not a rare purebred; inflated pricing often signals a backyard breeder exploiting the "rare" label
• No health testing of parent dogs — responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia (OFA/PennHIP) and PRA (Optigen DNA test)
• Puppies available year-round with multiple litters — indicates commercial breeding operation
• Selling sight-unseen with shipping only — reputable breeders want to meet you and assess fit
• Claims of "AKC registered Redtick Hound" — this breed is not AKC-recognized; the claim is either false or refers to parent breeds

Is a Redtick Hound Right for Your Family?

The honest answer: this is not an ideal first dog. Redtick Hounds require owners who understand scent hound psychology, can provide serious daily exercise, and live in environments where baying won't trigger noise complaints. They thrive best with:

• Homes with acreage or large, securely fenced yards — suburban lots work if fencing is adequate and neighbors aren't close
• Active owners who hike, run, or hunt regularly
• Patient trainers committed to positive reinforcement methods — coonhounds shut down under harsh corrections
• Families who understand the vocalization and won't punish the dog for a behavior it was literally bred to perform
• Multi-dog households — these are pack animals and often do better with a canine companion

For the right owner, a Redtick Hound is an extraordinary companion: loyal, gentle, funny, and deeply bonded to their people. They'll curl up on your lap (despite being 60 pounds), greet you with full-body wiggles, and provide endless entertainment with their nose-led explorations. But for someone expecting a quiet, low-energy, easily trained house dog, this breed is a setup for mutual frustration.

Training Approach

Redtick Hounds respond best to positive reinforcement and force-free training methods. Use high-value food rewards (real chicken, cheese, freeze-dried liver) and keep sessions short — 5 to 10 minutes. Recall training is the single most important skill, but expect that even a well-trained Redtick will ignore recall when on a strong scent trail. Never use shock collars, prong collars, or alpha rolls — these methods damage trust and can trigger fear-based reactivity in sensitive hounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Redtick Hounds good with children?

Generally yes, especially when raised alongside children. They're gentle, tolerant, and playful. However, their size and exuberance can knock over toddlers, and they may bay loudly during roughhousing play. Always supervise interactions between any dog and young children.

Do Redtick Hounds shed a lot?

They shed moderately year-round with seasonal increases in spring and fall. The short coat makes cleanup relatively easy — a rubber curry brush weekly and a good vacuum handle it. They're not hypoallergenic.

Can a Redtick Hound live in an apartment?

Realistically, no. Their exercise needs, vocalization, and size make apartments a poor fit. A house with a yard is strongly recommended. Some experienced owners in rural apartments with immediate access to large outdoor areas have made it work, but it requires exceptional commitment to daily exercise.

How long do Redtick Hounds live?

Most live 11–13 years, which is typical for medium-to-large hound breeds. Crossbreeding may confer some hybrid vigor advantages, but individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, weight management, and preventive veterinary care.

Are Redtick Hounds good off-leash?

In unfenced areas, no. Their scent-driven nature means they will chase a trail and cannot hear recall commands once locked on. Only allow off-leash activity in fully enclosed areas or with GPS tracking collars as a backup safety measure. Many owners use GPS trackers like Whistle or Fi as a precaution even in fenced areas.

What should I feed a Redtick Hound?

A high-quality AAFCO-approved diet formulated for active, large-breed adult dogs. Look for a named animal protein as the first ingredient and a guaranteed analysis showing minimum 22–26% protein. Feed measured portions to prevent obesity — typically 2.5–4 cups daily split into two meals, adjusted for activity level. Use slow-feed bowls to reduce bloat risk.