Need advice from the Coonhound owners

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The tracking dog bug bit me pretty hard at the beginning of the season. My Aussie does alright, but she is having a rough time concentrating. Partly because she is 3 years old already and partly because she is a herding dog. So, I've been pissling around trying to find the breed I want.

I've settled on a coonhound. I want a good running buddy and a dog that doesn't mind playing around tracking things around my 4 acre place. I also need something that is going to do well with the family and kids, and not be too large of a dog. From all I've read, a coonhound fits the bill. I'm alright with either a bluetick or redbone, but would prefer a redbone.

I know there are folks here with some experience with these dogs. Can anyone point me in the right direction of finding a good hound? I don't care if the dog is papered or even if it isn't 100% coonhound, because I know there are breeders cranking out dogs that are pure that can track as well as any. Does anybody have a suggestion on any breeders in the Houston or San Antonio area that is reputable? I don't need a trained dog, I will be obedience and tracking training it. Just a dog that comes from a someone that knows what they are doing.

Any help/tips are appreciated

[tex4k]

Do your research very carefully, not all hounds do well in the pet dept. I've came across many that are borderline grouchy, my uncle had a redbone that made a better personal protection dog than coon dog, my son raises plotts most are very friendly and easy going but are very protective of my dil. I don't know of any redbone breeders but I know they're out there I've seen them in "Full Cry" and know others that have bought them.

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Do your research very carefully, not all hounds do well in the pet dept. I've came across many that are borderline grouchy, my uncle had a redbone that made a better personal protection dog than coon dog, my son raises plotts most are very friendly and easy going but are very protective of my dil. I don't know of any redbone breeders but I know they're out there I've seen them in "Full Cry" and know others that have bought them.

I've been told and have read that a bluetick is a good family dog, whereas the redbone is a better stamina breed. But, most things say that redbones can also be a good family pet, given the correct amount of socialization

I do think that some dogs are prone to being a grouch, so I will keep that in mind when trying to narrow it down. I'm trying not to rush into this so that I find the right dog

[Coon]

Someone had a couple of free blueticks in the classifieds recently. I've had several of both breeds, and all that I ever owned were gentle, loving dogs that I wouldn't hesitate to let my babies climb all over.

[Redbone]

Redbones make great dogs. Ours now is a great family dog and will follow any track I've put her on. Loves the woods and loves to run. They are a great breed. I just started her on deer last year and she has found 2 out of 3.

[GatorBait]

My bluetic does fairly well, and he is a good natured dog.

[Wes Chaney]

I have an English redtick male and a Black and Tan female. Both are great family pets and really smart. The male is a lot more high strung and has way more hunting drive and he doesn't have a mean bone in him. The female is happy just laying around the house while the male has to have some exercise daily or he gets bored. I usually just let him outside to chase and tree the squirrels for a few hours and he's good with that. Both of mine I bought off craigslist. The male came from an old man in brazoria that has some English hounds that he hunts and had an unexpected litter, beautiful dogs that he sold for $25 apiece, the female came from San Antonio and I picked her up for $35. You can find good hounds on Craigslist for cheap but you have to be patient and act fast when one is posted. Good luck in your search

[Hoyt Man]

I have had all breeds of coon hounds and for the most part they made good family pets also. But I think my favorite was a old fashioned Black and Tan they are the original breed of Black and Tan being taller and heavier boned with extremely long ears, my last female had ears that was 32" tip to tip. She was without a doubt the most family friendly hound I ever had.

[K. Lane]

I too have had all the coon hound breeds save the blood hound. My current (soon to be blood trailing phenom) is a female redone, Rougarou, she is still young and training but is doing exceedingly well.
She, even at 9 months old is the best family coin hound I've ever had.

I work with a guy that eats, sleeps, breathes, dreams coon hounds and I'll ask if he knows of any.
I also have a friend that recently had a litter of red ticks ( redbone/ blue tick cross obviously) he is here in Baytown as well. I can check with him if you like

My Rougarou

[TxDispatcher]

I too have had all the coon hound breeds save the blood hound. My current (soon to be blood trailing phenom) is a female redone, Rougarou, she is still young and training but is doing exceedingly well.
She, even at 9 months old is the best family coin hound I've ever had.

I work with a guy that eats, sleeps, breathes, dreams coon hounds and I'll ask if he knows of any.
I also have a friend that recently had a litter of red ticks ( redbone/ blue tick cross obviously) he is here in Baytown as well. I can check with him if you like

My Rougarou

Good looking redbone

[Lost Arra]

I had a redbone for 14 years. I still miss her every day.
Great dog for work/tracking or just lounging in the house with grandkids.
They are not neighborhood dogs. Too loud.

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I too have had all the coon hound breeds save the blood hound. My current (soon to be blood trailing phenom) is a female redone, Rougarou, she is still young and training but is doing exceedingly well.
She, even at 9 months old is the best family coin hound I've ever had.

I work with a guy that eats, sleeps, breathes, dreams coon hounds and I'll ask if he knows of any.
I also have a friend that recently had a litter of red ticks ( redbone/ blue tick cross obviously) he is here in Baytown as well. I can check with him if you like

My Rougarou

If you don't mind checking with your buddy, I'd be happy to take a pup off of his hands!

[K. Lane]

If you don't mind checking with your buddy, I'd be happy to take a pup off of his hands!

I sent him a message.... I'll let ya know what he says

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So my internet research says that there isn't much training needed to get them to use their nose, along with the fact they are very smart. Is this the real-world case here, or is this just a case of Internet half-truth?

[tex4k]

Most hounds I've known I would rank pretty high in the smart dept., downside is they're usually as hardheaded as they are smart. Don't mean to sound like I'm bashing hounds most I've dealt with were pretty good dogs, but have came across several in the train wreck category which goes back to my first statement to research them thoroughly.