How to Breed Redbone Coonhounds

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Quality Redbone Coonhound male and female
Vet who is well versed in dog breeding
Demand for puppies
Registration certificates
Knowledge of the breed

Step 1

Redbone coonhound clipping of relative in magazine

Research the breed. When you think you have researched enough, research some more. It takes a great deal of working knowledge of any breed of dog to be successful in breeding them. Breeding dogs is more than just sticking a male and female together and hoping for the best.
Step 2

Redbone Coonhound on Practice show bench

Evaluate both the male and the female you plan to breed together. Are they conformationally correct? Even if you are not looking to produce show ring worthy puppies, conformation is in direct relationship with the overall health and longevity of any dog. Studying the breed standard and talking with other breeders is a great place to start.
Step 3

Redbone Coonhound

Attempt to off-set weaker points with a strong point in their mate and really emphasize the positives by doubling up. Never breed two dogs who both have the same weak points.
Step 4

Dog Temperaments are important

Evaluate the dog's temperaments. Temperaments are highly genetic. NEVER breed any dog who has a less than desirable temperament.
Step 5

Redbone coonhound puppy

Look at the pedigrees. UKC is favorable as AKC does not yet fully recognize redbone coonhounds so they lack the indepth information you can get from a UKC pedigree. I like when I have a grandparent or great grandparent in common that is known to throw certain positive characteristics. You also want to see if you have titles for hunt and/or show in there. Oftentimes with coonhounds, those two things are very different in what they will produce.
Step 6

Future Redbone Coonhound Stud

Have your veterinarian give a basic physical examination of both dogs. Include a brucellosis test if either have been bred before. Brucellosis is a sexually transmitted disease in dogs and can ruin them for any future breeding.
Step 7

Raccoons are giardia carriers

Worm both dogs against roundworm when your female is in season. If you hunt them, it's wise to also be sure they are free of giardia. I also like to give a vaccination to the redbone coonhound female at this time as it ensures protection for the puppies until 8 wks of age. Be certain the male is current on his yearly vaccine as well.
Step 8

Redbone coonhound puppy

You will know your female is ready when the blood colored discharge from her heat cycle turns a corn husk gold color. She will also tend to raise her tail up higher and act quite frisky. She will insist on backing up towards other dogs, even females. Test that she's ready with both redbones on a leash. If she is not ready, she will be quite upset with the male and you do not want a fight you can't control easily.
Step 9

Redbone Coonhound

When the female is accepting, allow them to breed. Keep them on leash or in an enclosed area. Monitor them the entire time. It is possible your dogs could injure themselves if they aren't kept calm during their tie. Expect the tie to last between 5 minutes to an hour.
Step 10

Redbone Coonhound Puppy

Once the tie is broken, lift your female's rear end up in the air just a tad for about 2 minutes. This helps ensure the proper travel of semen. It also prevents her from succumbing to the urge to urinate right after the breeding, which could dispose of some of the sperm.
Step 11

Redbone female who is in standing heat. Note the swollen vulva.

Watch the male and see that his male organ retreats back into the sheath okay. If it is too dry from taking too long to retreat, it could be painful for him and you may need to apply some vaseline. This rarely happens but you need to be aware of it just in case.
Step 12

Well bred redbone coonhound puppy

Put the two dogs up in separate pens to rest and relax. Do not allow heavy playing at this time. Let them rest for 3 hours at least before resuming normal activities. Be certain they are given ample water.
Step 13

Redbone Coonhound

Make note of the breeding on your calendar. Your female will be due in approximately 63 days from the breeding date.
Step 14

9 Newborn Redbone Coonhound Puppies

You may wish to have your female examined later in her pregnancy to find out the approximate litter size and size of the puppies. This could help you determine if a c-section may be on the horizon and to give you fair warning of the minimum number of puppies that should be arriving when their whelping date arrives. Redbone coonhounds are known to have large litters.
Step 15

Heavily Pregnant Redbone Coonhound

Feed your female a bit extra food as her pregnancy goes on. 2 weeks before her due date, mix her food 50/50 with puppy food until she is eating puppy chow. Keep her on puppy chow until the puppies are weaned.
Step 16

Pregnant Redbone Coonhound in Whelping Area

Gather all your whelping supplies early on. And don't forget to include a few cans of goat's milk. It is not rare for a first time dam to have too little or no milk for her new litter. Be prepared to bottle feed around the clock if you choose to breed your redbone coonhound.
Step 17

Redbone Coonhound Puppy

Prepare the paperwork to submit for puppy papers. If you do not own the stud dog, the stud dog owner will need to sign the application and fill in his dog's information (registration name and ukc number)