We just cant’ stop its all day long everyday…………….

Dog picture taken by Globetoppers.

Do you want a new dog? Have you really thought about it? Why are you thinking about adding a new dog companion to your family in the first place? Do you have any idea what you’re looking for in a new dog companion? What are you real needs in a dog? And your wants? There are many things to consider first before bringing home that new bundle of joy.

It is very important, first, to match your new dogs overall personality, exercise requirements and needs to you and your family as closely as possible. With luck you’re choosing an animal that is likely to be with you for 10 years or longer so put forth a little research time in the beginning and you’ll be rewarded for your efforts for years to come.

Were you aware that the common dog comes in more than 400 different breed types world wide? There is much more variation among our friend the family dog than in any other species of mammal known today. The selection of available dog types to choose from is truly amazing. They come in more sizes, shapes, colors, coat types, abilities and personalities than you could shake a bone at.

Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to find the right dog breed to fit your personality as well as your current lifestyle. Dogs, just like people, have many different jobs and most were bred for very specific activities. This is probably one of the most important things you need to know before you get the wrong dog for you. Example: If you are a couch potato you don’t want to bring home a dog breed with extreme energy – and a need to express that – or if you are a triathlete, you don’t want to bring home a new exercise partner with tremendously low exercise requirements.

Here I will list each of the major AKC dog groups, briefly describe their overall purpose and what the dogs were originally bred to do, list many of the jobs dogs in each particular group currently perform, as well listing as a few members of each group.

- The Herding Group

Bred for stamina, these super intelligent herding dog breeds work with their owners all day long out in the fields moving livestock. Overall, these energetic, intelligent herding dog breeds make excellent pets and work extremely well with different kinds of training such as agility, flyball, Schutzhund, search and rescue and obedience. Keep in mind, since these dogs were bred to do a particular job (herding), they do better when they have lots of exercise.

A few members of the AKC herding group are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie and Bouvier des Flandres.

- The Working Group

The dogs of the working group were bred to help man in many various jobs – from pulling sleds, guarding a home or tracking, to pulling carts, water rescues, and more. These particular dog breeds have been bred for several generations for very definite purposes and they need jobs to fill their days. They have very active minds, and are very trainable and willing to work – it is also true that these working dog breeds also require a lot of training.

Overall, the larger size, power and strength of many of the members of this group may make them unsuitable for most families, however they thrive with the right companions. Remember, since most were bred to work, they do best with lots of exercise and a specific task to do.

A few members of the AKC working group are the Boxer, Alaskan Malamute, Great Dane, Saint Bernard, and Rottweiler.

- The Hound Group

The members of the AKC hound group were bred to help man while hunting. Divided into 2 separate groups, the hounds track their prey using their wonderful senses of sight (called sight hounds) or smell (called scent hounds). The hound dog group has some of the oldest dog breeds known to man today.

Many of these dogs are quite vocal based on their hunting background so it would be a good idea to hear their vocalizations before you decide to get a hound of your own. Also, it is also a good idea to keep these dogs on a leash at all times since they can easily be led by their nose, or eyes, into situations that may get them into trouble.

A few members of the AKC hound group are the Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Greyhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback.

- The Terrier Group

The fiesty and energetic terrier group dog breed members were bred to hunt vermin both above and below ground and are often described as the “pest controllers” of the dog world. Typically these tenacious little dogs have little to no tolerance for any small fast moving animals, the postman, other dogs, etc. They are well known for their tenacious, fiesty and independent nature.

Terriers can make great pets in the right home but need a determined owner who matches their dogs’ spirited personality.

A few members of the AKC terrier group are the Airedale Terrier, Bull Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer, Scottish Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier.

- The Toy Group

The toy group dog breeds were developed simply to be our companions. Their main job is to make their owners happy. The only things the members of this dog group have in common really is their petit size. The toy dogs are also called “lap dogs” sometimes because this is where many of these toy breeds prefer to stay, in their masters lap.

It is very true that the name “toy” is very misleading. Many of the toy dogs are as tough as nails. Toy dogs are especially popular with people that live in apartments or people without a lot of living space.

A few members of the AKC toy group are the Pomeranian, Chihuahua, Pug, Yorkshire Terrier and the Havanese.

- Non-sporting Group

The different purebred dog breeds in the non-sporting group are a wide collection of dogs in all different types of shapes, sizes, coat types, jobs types, personalities and overall appearances. Many people call this the AKC “catch-all” dog group. The diverse membership of the non-sporting group contains a little bit of everything – big dogs, little dogs, hairy dogs, bald dog breeds and some of the finest companion dogs you might possibly ever own.

A few members of the AKC non-sporting group are the Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Dalmatian, Boston Terrier, French Bulldog, and Keeshond.

- The Sporting Group

Well known for their incredible instincts in both the water and woods, many of the members of this AKC sporting dog group continue to actively participate in hunting and other field trials today, actively retrieving and hunting feathered or furred game for their masters. The sporting dog breeds are well known also for their easy going temperaments.

Included in this group you’ll find the pointers, retrievers, setters and spaniels. Keep in mind that the sporting dogs do need regular exercise, frequently.

A few members of the AKC sporting group are the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, Pointer and the Cocker Spaniel.

- Miscellaneous Dog Group

The many different dog breeds included in the AKC Miscellaneous Group are awaiting final breed recognition by the AKC. All dog breeds that are in this group can compete and earn titles in AKC Obedience, Tracking and Agility events.

Many of these dog breeds are ones that you may not see everyday but can make great pets in the right homes. Research each of these breeds one by one since they have different working backgrounds such as hunting, herding or guarding.

As of the writing of this article, the current members of the AKC Miscellaneous Group are the Pyrenean Shepherd, Beauceron, Redbone Coonhound, Dogue de Bordeaux, Norwegian Buhund and the Swedish Vallhund.

If you’re like most people you probably have many unanswered questions about dogs in general. Hopefully armed with the information above you will have a better idea of what various dog breeds were originally bred to do and will better understand whether or not they will fit your needs. Finding the right dog breed for you is truly a very important process. The best way to do that is when armed with the knowledge to make a decision based totally on fact, not fiction or hear say.

Copyright 2007. Debbie Ray. All Rights Reserved.

Now that you’re considering a dependable companion dog for your home, you likely would tend to first look at different breeds, select a number of puppies to consider and then pick the one with the character that you desire.

When you are trying to find a new dog you naturally will be looking for a pooch that will be a good companion, but you probably will want one that can be trained easily. There are 100s of breeds to select from – just look at the Australian Terrier, the Deutsche Bracke, the Maltese, the Redbone Coonhound, the Harlequin Pinscher and the Bulgarian Shepherd Dog. Always , consider finding a dog that enhances your personality. Look for a dog that fits the ideal that you planned and can adhere with you. Age isn’t really a worry most of the time. Breeds may have a certain reputation, but there are no hard, fast rules. These tips can help insure that you’ll find a good companion dog.

Work hard to encounter a puppy or adult dog that has a personality that corresponds with your own characteristics and your experience. If you have experience with a lot of independent dogs, then a more dominant, independent dog may work better for you. All the same, if you’re not aggressive or are not used to working with a dog, a more submissive animal will likely be a better companion for you. While you’re considering puppies or small dogs, hold one and turn it over on its back. A dominant dog will struggle with you, trying to turn over. If it fights to turn over, try to calm down the dog. If it settles down shortly, it is more submissive. If it doesn’t struggle at all, but merely relaxes ,you have a really submissive dog.

A dog that’s fairly calm and easy to care for is better for you if you’re more easygoing and more sedative yourself. If you tend to be very physical you may discover a more active, hyper dog would accommodate you better. If you spend very little time at home and your dog would be kenneled during that time, you would like to find a dog that is a bit independent and is less expected to suffer from separation anxiety. Most people will tell you that a calmer, more relaxed dog is naturally easier to train. But, although it may be somewhat simpler to hold this type of dog’s attention, an exuberant, hyper dog can also be easy to train if you have some patience.

You as well will want your companion dog to be smart and eager to please. This will make it easy to teach your pet what you want it to know and it will happily learn the skills and perform them well. When you take your dog out in public, you do not want a fear nipper or a dog that is aggressive to strangers. Plainly, this will come with socializing the dog frequently, but the sharper dog will watch you to see who is a possible foe and who’s not a possible threat.

Domestic dogs can be splendid companions having the right breed and character type for your needs. Also, while many people feel that only young dogs can be trained, this is false. A lot of older dogs are saved from shelters each day and they’re trained rather easily. The key to disciplining a dog is attaching with it. When you have bonded with your dog, it will cater to your needs. The dog will learn to anticipate what you want and will even look for new ways to communicate with you. If you’re discerning, you and your dog can build your own particular form of communicating and this can give you a companion dog (even the American Staffordshire Terrier or Bisben that’s a joy to be with.

This is Red. My dad got this 35lb+ coon and tied it to a rope so that Red could have some fun. Its the first time he’s had a coon. It was raining tho and very cold but he loved it! Please Comment!

Dog picture taken by phi1317.

Jack thinks I hid his cat……….

Dog picture taken by Dan Harrelson.

Our 9 month old Redbone Coohound, Rustee.

Dog picture taken by bcare77.

Rustee at the Dog park

Vizsla, The Hungary’s national dog also called The Hungarian Vizsla, The Magyar Vizsla, and The Hungarian Pointer is a hunting dog represents one of the best in sporting dogs, loyal companions and family dogs. They are the smallest of the all-round pointer-retriever breeds.

They are a medium sized dog that stands between 22.5 and 25 inches tall and weighs between 48.5 and 66 pounds. They are short-coated, robust but rather lightly built lean dogs with well defined muscles. The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard for the Vizsla states that the coat should be short, smooth, dense and close-lying, without woolly undercoat. The standard coat is a solid golden-rust color in different shadings. Lack of undercoat means Vizslas are less likely to cause allergic reactions than many breeds but this also makes the Vizsla susceptible to the cold so it must not be kept in a kennel or left outside for extended periods of time.

Vizslas are often mistaken for other breeds and various other breeds are often mistaken for Vizslas, as the body structure of a Vizsla is very similar in appearance to a Weimaranar and Redbone Coonhound, though the Vizsla is typically leaner with more defined musculature. Their reddish color nose makes them different from other similar size and similar physical characteristics dogs. The color of nose, eyes and nails should blends with their coat color.

They are self-cleaning dogs and with almost no “dog smell”. Their coat needs brushing regularly due to the frequent shedding of the hair. Being clean and not able to cause allergies, they are also acceptable to those against the idea of keeping a dog for a pet. They are a quiet breed and bark only when provoked. Vizslas require a good deal of exercise to remain healthy and happy. A house with a fenced yard is a necessity for the Vizsla to release some of his energy.

Vizsla Puppies need to be given socialization training for that they are shy enough to get scared on meeting anyone new. They do not do anything purposely and need to be given time to learn. While training you need to be careful not to be harsh and yet be firm or else they will get turned off and refuse to be trained. The Vizsla is a natural hunter endowed with a good nose, if it ever catches a scent it will not respond to the training session. They are hyperactive, alert, attentive and very energetic. They are always ready to hunt due to their abundance energy.

Vizsla Puppies make excellent pets as they are happy, playful, loyal, affectionate, caring, sweet nature, gentle, tolerant and devoted animals, and like to be close physically to humans. Often they are referred to as “velcro” dogs because of their loyalty and affection. Many Vizslas will sleep in bed with their owners if allowed, burrowing under the covers.

Bean the Redbone Coonhound puppy makes funny noises while sleeping.

This is Toby. Toby was born at Ironwood Kennel in Michigan. Until this video he had never seen a coon hide before. We decided to see how good his instincts were when his family brought him over for a visit. See www.ironwoodkennel.com if interested in our dogs. We have redbone and english coonhounds

Redbone Coonhound

Most coonhounds are ancestors of the foxhound and the same holds true for the Redbone Coonhound. During the late 1700s, red foxhounds were brought to America by Scottish immigrants. It is suggested that these are the dogs that formed the base for the Redbone Coonhound breed.

A man named George Birdsong heavily influenced the breed. During the 1840s, Mr. Birdsong, a hunter from Georgia, obtained a pack of coonhounds and began breeding his own dogs. In time, more and more coonhunters became interested in these dogs and began mixing them with Red Irish Foxhounds. The purpose of this mix was to create a dog that was faster and could hunt down coons with a stronger sense of smell.

The resulting litters produced many dogs that were colored red with black saddles. For a while they were referred to as “Saddlebacks.  Over several generations, hunters would breed these dogs in an attempt to emphasize a solid-red color. The Black saddle was eventually bred out. It was around this time when the breed became recognized as the “Redbone Coonhound”.

The Redbone Coonhound became the second coonhound dog breed to be recognized by the UKC in 1902. It wasn’t until the year 2001, practically a century later, that the AKC admitted this breed into the miscellaneous class. To this day, the Redbone Coonhound remains a favorite choice for serious hunters that prefer a versatile hunting dog that has a strong treeing ability.

Personality

The Redbone Coonhound Is typically very gentle, relaxed, and easy-going. They have a calm attitude and generally do not let trouble get to them. They enjoy being with their family or hunter owners, but are not starved for attention. This is one dog breed that needs to be kept busy with daily exercise and advanced training for mental stimulation. They are gentle with children and other dogs, but may be a little too rough with smaller house pets.

Taking Care Of Your Redbone Coonhound

As mentioned above, Redbone Coonhound dogs must have plenty of daily exercise. They have an amazing sense of smell and when a scent is picked up, it may have a tendency to dart off as fast as they can towards the target. These dogs also love to swim and can be kept outdoors if necessary.  However, they are family-oriented so it makes a better choice to keep them indoors at night with the rest of the family. Grooming requirements are minimal, with a weekly brushing to remove dead hair. Some Redbone Coonhounds also have a tendency to drool a lot.

Health Information

Like many purebred dogs who have kept their bloodline intact, Redbone Coonhounds are amazingly healthy with absolutely no major health issues to worry about and zero minor health concerns. These dogs have an average lifespan of between 12 and 15 years.

History

During the 18th century, rich landowners in the Virginia Tidewater area and the Southern Atlantic coastal area liked to hunt with dogs like the Beagle, Welsh Hound, and English Foxhound., which were suited for the terrain and game. These had been popular in Northern states before the American Revolution with the wealthy for fox hunting.

Those that moved further south needed a different kind of hunting dog and they bred the Redbone Coonhound: a dog that could deal with swamps, bayous, larger and more ferocious prey, and animals that climbed trees. To achieve this function goal they bred red Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and Irish Foxhounds. And they also bred for a fancy appearance in color. This breed is named after one the original breeders, Peter Redbone. 

General Looks

It has a  muscular, lean build with long legs, floppy ears, and a soulful expression. It has a black nose. The Redbone Coonhound is a large hound.

Is This Your Breed?

It has an easy going temperament, trains with ease, and its coat needs minimal brushing and bathing.

Coat

The coat is short, lays close to the skin, and is sufficiently rough to supply protection when hunting in a brushy area.

Color

These dogs should be completely red, though a bit of white on the feet and brisket is okay.

Locomotion

The steps of a Redbone Coonhound are sure and strong. The reach and drive are excellent.

Personality

Redbone Coonhounds are easy going with their people, but avid and aggressive when hunting. They are affection and like being around their people. Cooping them up away from the family saddens them. They might give a growl, if disturbed while snoozing.

Redbone Coonhound video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZL3hD9zy1A