Vizsla vs Redbone Coonhound: What’s the Difference?

Getting a new dog for your home can be a wonderful experience. The number of breeds known to be excellent companions to man is so many that it can be difficult to choose.

vizsla vs redbone coonhound
Vizsla vs Redbone Coonhound: What’s the Difference?

Two breeds popular for their loyalty and unique lifestyles are the Vizsla and the Redbone Coonhound. Making the best choice between the two can be complicated for anybody. An excellent place to start is researching to know everything about the dogs.

To help, this article is focused on explaining each breed while comparing them under different criteria. Every piece of information in this article will take you one step closer to making your choice. 

Vizsla Dog

The Vizsla breed was originally developed in Hungary to function both as a pointer and as a retriever. It is best known for its aristocratic bearing. Their greatest desire is love and affection. It’s not surprising to see that they are good with children and fancy being around them. Their level of intelligence makes training them easy.  

Vizsla Dog History 

The Vizsla breed’s true origin can be traced as far back as the 10th century when Hungarian hunters used them as pointers and as hunting dogs. However, after a while, the breed became nearly extinct due to extended isolation.

After decades of near-extinction, the breed rose once again from the minimum stock remaining. At some point, the Vizslas also served as a preferred hunting breed for the Magyar people. They used them for hunting waterfowl and rabbits.

Other places where Vizslas’ breeding was also common are Australia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia. Vizslas didn’t arrive in the US until the end of World War II. Vizslas are very loyal dogs with a size that makes them appealing to most dog lovers. The Vizsla has been used to develop other breeds, most notably the German Shorthaired and the Weimaraner Vizslas.  

Vizsla Dog Traits

Vizslas are very active dogs. Given their hunting history, you can tell that they require a high level of physical activity. Most of them prefer being with their owners; hence, they do not like being kennel dogs.

On physical appearance, it’s easy to see that Vizslas are light-built with a very short coat. Despite their muscular features, many of them are still quite lean. It’s easy to recognize this breed by simply looking at its reddish nose and floppy ears. Vizslas typically have eyes and nails that match their coat. Its short tail also always flies through the air. 

Vizsla Dog Temperament

Vizslas are typically known to be happy-go-lucky dogs that are always eager to please their owners. Let’s state at this point that a dog’s temperament may vary from animal to animal, making it a little complicated to predict them.

With consistent training, you can mold your dog’s temperament. An endearing characteristic of Vizslas can be seen in how easy-going they are. This is why Vizslas will get along with anybody and anything without stress.

With proper early socialization with people, animals, and experiences, Vizslas will get along well with strangers and animals. Otherwise, new situations may excite and startle them. They see attention a lot, but they are also very protective.  

Vizsla Dog Health

Vizslas are generally healthy, so you’ll hardly find them falling sick. However, when they fall ill, you can rest assured that it’ll be severe. This breed rarely gets hip dysplasia, although there are a few reports.

Hip dysplasia in Vizslas can develop into arthritis or lameness. There have also been reports of epilepsy in this compassionate breed, although that condition is treatable. Vizslas can also be prone to different types of cancer, with most of them treatable. 

 Vizsla Dog Pet Care

Despite their constant need for attention, caring for Vizslas is still not as expensive as many people think. Here, take a look at some pet care tips for your Vizsla.

Vizsla Dog Feeding

As explained earlier, Vizslas are pretty energetic, making them active most time. They burn energy during each activity and need to replace it. Therefore, we recommend giving Vizslas energy-rich foods.

Dry dog foods are known to have an efficient energy content. Ration their meals and ensure they have something to eat at least thrice or four times daily. 

Vizsla Dog Exercising

Vizslas are energetic, so they can do well with regular exercise. For proper care, give them up to 30 minutes or more for exercise. They also prefer living in large spaces since it allows them more freedom to play. They are also the perfect dog to take on long walks and morning exercises.

Redbone Coonhound 

The Redbone Coonhound is an American breed of hunting dog. It is a good hunting dog that can be used for hunting bears, raccoons, bears, deer, cougar, or other large game. Its origin can be traced to the Southern United States, where it was derived from foxhounds brought by immigrants from Scotland. 

Redbone Coonhound History

The Redbone Coonhound originated in the late 1700s. Their earliest existence can be traced to the red Foxhounds that Scottish immigrants came to the United States with at this time. However, Coon hunters were interested in finding a faster breed that will easily master quick location and teeing of games.

They could not get this until the early 1840s when Georgian breeder and forest hunter, George Birdsong became interested in developing a breed with these characteristics. It was at this time that the Redbone Coonhound predecessor was truly developed.

Later, the Redbone predecessor was crossbred with imported swift Irish Foxhounds to establish the saddlebacks. They got this name because of their black saddles. Breeders were not exactly satisfied with this characteristic; hence, they continued producing new liters until there were only rich, and red-coated puppies remaining.  
 
By the end of the 19th century, the Redbone Coonhound had become a well-established breed. Since then, Redbones have continued to prove their prowess as loyal human companions and excellent hunters.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) hound group didn’t officially accept this breed until early 2009. However, despite the acceptance, they are still a rare breed to find outside America. While it’s easy to think that the Redbone Coonhound derived its name from its color, it actually got its name from the name of an early breeder, Peter Redbone. 

Redbone Coonhound Traits

The Redbone Coonhound is a muscular hound dog. It is generally handsome, robust, and strong. It has a clean and well-molded head, with a medium stop between the nose and the brow.

Its ears are typically long and hanging, often extending to the tip of its nose when the dog is following a scent. It holds its tail upright, while its paws are compact and cat-like, with thick and strong pads.

The Redbone Coonhound has a rich red color, with a shiny and smooth coat that lies flat and resembles a Beagle. Some coats are entirely red, while others may have a touch of white. 

Redbone Coonhound Temperament

Redbone Coonhounds are generally affectionate and friendly. They are also intelligent with moderate activity levels. They generally love the company of their human family, although they do not display overtly tenacious behavior.

Most owners describe them as gentle and easy-going. The Redbone Coonhound mingles well with children, dogs, and average-sized pets, although it’ll still make sense to socialize them at their young age. This breed is also eager to please its human family and may become frustrated when subjected to intense formal training techniques. 

Redbone Coonhound Health

The average life expectancy of a Redbone Coonhound is between 12 – 15 years. Their coat requires a weekly cleaning to maintain its clean and shiny nature. You must also brush the teeth of your Redbone Coonhound several times per week and trim its nails at least once every month. 

Redbone Coonhounds are generally healthy, although owners still need to watch out for the following breed-specific issues. Some of these issues include:  

  • Hip dysplasia 
  • Ear infections  
  • Injuries from rough terrain and underbrush on the hunt 
  • Ticks beneath the ears 
  • Injuries caused by prey during hunting expeditions. 

You can minimize most of these health issues in your Redbone Coonhound by buying your dog from a reputable breeder. 

Redbone Coonhound Pet Care

Redbone needs a moderate level of attention, and caring for them is slightly expensive. They’ll need an adequate level of grooming to maintain the cleanliness of their coat. Grooming style and cost may differ from animal to animal, considering that they all have individual requirements.

Their coat is medium, and their hair needs brushing down at least twice a week. Their diet is also an essential part of their care and will largely depend on their age, size, and energy consumption. 

Vizsla vs Redbone Coonhound Comparison Chart 

 Vizsla Redbone Coonhound 
Group: Hound Hound 
Origin: Hungary Hungary 
Lifespan: 9-10 Years 12-15 Years 
Size: Medium Size Large Size 
Other Names: Hungarian Pointer  Hungarian Vizsla – 
Colors Available: Dark Shades and Golden Color Red, Red & White 
Coat: Short and Smooth Short, smooth, and protective 
Temperament: Independent, energetic, Gentle, Affectionate, Loyal, Social, Intelligent  Energetic, affectionate, friendly, gentle, playful, social. 
vizsla vs redbone coonhound
Vizsla vs Redbone Coonhound

Conclusion

The Vizsla and Redbone Coonhound are both great breeds worth owning. Each of the breeds has a unique trait that makes it unique. While the Vizsla is very active and friendly, Redbone Coonhounds are relatively calmer.

Both breeds love children’s company, and their appealing looks make it easy for children to be comfortable around them. However, the Vizsla makes a better hunting dog than the Redbone Coonhound. They are courageous and always ready to take on new adventures; Caring for the Vizsla is generally more affordable when compared to the Redbone Coonhound. 
 
 

stuart and his dog

Family Dog Expert Author

Hi there! I’m Stuart, a devoted dog lover and family dog expert with over a decade of experience working with our furry companions. My passion for dogs drives me to share my knowledge and expertise, helping families build strong, loving bonds with their four-legged friends. When I’m not writing for SirDoggie, you’ll find me hiking, playing with my beautiful dog, or studying music.