Redbone Coonhound Lab mix

The Attractive Traits Of The Redbone Coonhound Lab Mix

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People create crossbreeds in order to get the best out of two purebreds. Such is the mix between the Redbone Coonhound and Labrador Retriever.

The Redbone Coonhound Lab mix is a striking blend of two beloved breeds, known for their intelligence and loyalty. Its red coat makes it distinct from many other dogs. But there is more to know about this hybrid dog.

What is the origin of the Redbone Coonhound Labrador mix?

Because this is a mixed breed dog, it doesn’t have a known history. But the purebred breeds that make it do.

The Redbone Coonhound is a breed originating from Georgia, America. There is information about it existing from the 1800s. This dog was created to hunt raccoons and other small animals. It was officially accepted by the AKC in 2009.

The Labrador Retriever originates from Newfoundland, Canada. Its known history starts around the 1700s when it was mentioned that it was used by local fishermen. In time, the breed became more popular and was accepted by the AKC in 1917.

What is the Redbone Coonhound Lab mix appearance?

The appearance of this hybrid breed can vary as the dog can look more like either parent. The average size of this dog is around 22-27 inches in height and 50-80 pounds in weight. This makes it a medium to large-sized dog.

It has an athletic body and round and brown eyes, as well as floppy ears. The coat of this dog is short and smooth with the color inherited from both parents. It is usually reddish-brown with a white marking on the chest and paws. But there are versions with a chocolate or yellow color.

What is the temperament of the Lab mix with Redbone Coonhound?

This dog is very affectionate and friendly, thanks to both its parents. Its outgoing personality makes it a great family dog. The dog also gets along great with children, even though it needs some supervision to prevent accidents.

It has a high intelligence which makes it easy to train. However, stubborn streaks can happen from time to time and require a persistent owner. Because this dog is so energetic, it will require regular exercise from the owner. This dog may also be quite barky, so the neighbors can expect it to be noisy.

Redbone Coonhound Lab mix
Photo by @redtheredboneretriever

Are there any common health issues in the Redbone Coonhound Lab mix?

Because it is mixed, this dog will be relatively healthy due to the phenomenon known as “hybrid vigor”. Its average life expectancy will range around 10-15 years. Regular veterinary visits will make sure that the dog stays healthy. That said, some health problems can appear in some dogs.

One disease common in most dogs is hip dysplasia. This affects the ball and socket joint of the hips making it hard for the dog to move. Ear infections are also common due to the dog having floppy ears. These dogs also love to eat and are exposed to gaining weight and developing obesity. Exercise Induced Collapse is one disease that can be inherited from the Labrador. The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – UC Davis explains this condition as such:

Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness, lack of coordination and life-threatening collapse after intense exercise in otherwise apparently healthy dogs. Affected dogs tolerate mild to moderate activity but will display signs of EIC after 5-20 minutes of strenuous exercise.

What dietary needs should you consider for this breed?

While caring for the Redbone Coonhound Lab mix, you need to feed it properly in order to support its growth and development. This dog has a big appetite and should be fed high-quality food. Its nutritional plan should contain a lot of protein and nutrients, while carbs and artificial ingredients should be low.

You should feed around 2-4 cups of dog food. This depends on your dog’s size and age. Its activity level is also very important. Choose food from a familiar dog food company and carefully look at the ingredients. You can also give supplements like fish oil or chondroitin to support your dog’s health.

What are the Redbone Coonhound Lab mix exercise needs?

This hybrid mix has high physical requirements and will require an owner who will provide enough activities to spend its energy. Expect to spend around 1-2 hours every day on activities with your dog. These should be split into more sessions during the day.

A morning and an evening walk can be great for the start and finish of the day. In between you can go hiking or play some games with your pup. Labradors love to swim so you can get its mixed pup to a pool for some swimming. Mental stimulation is also very important and can be done by playing interactive games and using puzzle toys.

How do you go about training a Redbone Coonhound Lab mix?

Because it’s so intelligent and eager to please, this dog can learn a lot of commands easily.  Sometimes, it can get a little stubborn and require a firm hand. Using consistent positive reinforcement training works wonders with these dogs, especially because they love treats. “It’s important to find out what your dog really likes and what their favourite things are. Favourite treats are often small pieces of meat or cheese. The better the reward, the more your dog will enjoy training and learning!”, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The training sessions should be short and fun, followed with a lot of praise. You should begin behavioral training early and use techniques like obedience training. Socializing is another thing that should be done from an early age. This ensures that the dog will stay comfortable around other people and animals.

Photo by @redtheredboneretriever

Is Redbone Coonhound Lab mix grooming difficult?

This crossbreed might inherit the coat from its Lab parent, meaning that it can shed quite a lot throughout the year. Hence, brushing 1-2 times a week should be a good amount to prevent stray hairs in the home. This can be increased during the increased shedding season.

Bathing the dog once a month should be enough to keep it clean, as overbathing can damage the coat. Make sure to use a shampoo made for dogs because human shampoos will irritate their skin. Keep special attention on the dog’s ears due to infections and clean them regularly. Other grooming needs like regular teeth brushing and nail clipping are essential.

What is the process of finding Redbone Coonhound Lab mix puppies?

If you like how this dog sounds, there are a few ways to get one for yourself. You can either contact a breeder or a rescue shelter.

Getting it from a breeder

On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $1,500 for this hybrid breed. To get the right dog for yourself, you need to find a reliable breeder. They should give you all the needed information about the dog while also showing all the required documents. 

You can also ask to visit the shelter in order to see the parents and screen for any genetic diseases. There are no specific breeders for this mix but you can find breeders of the parent breeds.

Adopting it from a shelter

Rescuing a Lab Coonhound mix can be a much cheaper option to obtain this dog. It is also a really humane thing to do as you are giving a home to someone who really needs it.

In these animal shelters, you might not find the exact dog you are looking for. Sometimes, you may find an older dog instead of a pup. You may also find some other great mixes like the Labrador Jack Russell mix. Because there is no specific dog shelter that houses this mix, you can try reaching the shelters specializing in the purebred parent breeds.

Photo by @redtheredboneretriever

So is the Redbone Coonhound Lab mix for you?

This hybrid dog is a mix of two breeds that are filled with affection and loyalty. Its playful demeanor and high energy make it a great friend for anyone. But this energy also needs to be spent throughout the day with extensive exercising.

Because it is a smart dog that likes listening to its owner, you can train it to be your faithful friend. However, you need to show that you are a worthy and caring owner. Offering tasty and healthy food is a good start. Giving delicious treats will also do the trick. If you decide that this is the right dog for your home, you can get it from a breeder or consider pet adoption.

FAQ

Can a Lab Redbone Coonhound crossbreed develop separation anxiety?

Redbone Coonhounds and Labradors can not be left alone for too long, because they develop this condition. So the same rules apply to their crossbreed. Make sure to have someone around the dog all the time.

Can a first-time dog owner handle a Redbone Coonhound Lab mix?

People who haven’t had experience are not advised to get this hybrid breed. Even though it’s loving, this dog needs a lot of attention and exercise that not every person is ready to give.

Does the Labrador Retriever Coonhound mix get along with cats?

Labs are great with cats, and Redbones can learn to get along with anyone if properly socialized. Even if this mix might have a higher prey drive, it will learn that the cat is part of the family and leave it alone.

More dog breed resources

Here are a few other resources that introduce other dog breeds you may be interested in or haven’t heard of yet.

You can find a lot more information on other dog breeds on our site Dogisa!

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