Redbone Coonhound vs Long Haired Chihuahua - Breed Comparison

The short haired Chihuahua is such a recognizable dog breed, probably because of his tiny size, but did you know that you also get a long haired variety?

Looking quite a bit like a Pomeranian, the only difference between the two types of Chihuahua is the length of the coat.

This small dog dates back to Mayan times and while it may well have originated in Mexico, its popularity saw it becoming a sought after pet in other countries too.

To get the long haired Chihuahua, breeding programs were established and the short-haired variety was mated with other long haired toy sized dogs such as the Pomeranian and the Yorkshire Terrier.

The Redbone Coonhound has always had a busy life hunting bear, deer and cougar. It is thought that this dog descends from from Bloodhounds, Foxhounds and Irish Hounds.

Hailing from America, this dog has been registered with the American Kennel Club since 2009.

It was during the 18th century that many European-type hunting dogs were imported to America. Over time, Southern hunters bred with stamina and this ultimately lead to the emergence of coonhounds.

Your long haired Chihuahua will have a coat that is soft and slightly wavy. He weighs between 1 and 3kg and stands at about 15 – 23cm. He generally sheds throughout the year with a couple of heavier shedding periods during the year.

Don’t be fooled by the long, thick hair on the long haired Chihuahua as it doesn’t protect him from the cold – in fact he doesn’t tolerate the cold well at all, and is essentially an indoor dog. The ears are erect and feathery and the tail is full and plumed, lying over the back. He has a ruff on the neck, which is often described as a mane.

Temperament:

Chihuahuas are such bright-as-a-button little dogs and they’re intelligent too.

It’s difficult to say how a dog’s temperament will turn out, because breed, lifestyle and the type of owners can all make a dog a certain way.

Socialization and training can sometimes help with a dog that has bad genes. There are some people who say the Long haired Chihuahua is a nasty, aggressive little dog who’ll easily give you a nip but they’ve got a good reputation with many other dog lovers.

They love their own human family but may take quite a while to chill towards other people and other dogs too. They’re more ‘birds of a feather flock together’ type of dogs, preferring to get on with other Chihuahua dogs.

This beautiful, shiny red dog is medium-sized and stands at between 53 and 70cm at the shoulders and weighs between 20 and 32kg.

The dog’s coat is short and smooth with maybe just a tiny bit of white found around the feet and chest area. He is lean and muscular with strong, straight legs and a deep chest. The ears are floppy and the tail, traditionally docked, is often left long these days.

The paws are large and webbed and when the dog is excited, the tail is held high

Temperament:

The Redbone Coonhound is an affectionate dog who wants to please his owners. He just loves his human family and would be beside himself if he were locked outside day after day.

He is a social dog who should be allowed time indoors and out. They make splendid playmates for children too, and get along well with other animals in the house.

Because they’re independent and strong willed, he will need to be trained and socialized to ensure he is well mannered and obedient.

He is an active dog and will require a good bout of exercise. He is vocal, known for his baying type of bark, and training will keep this kind of baying under control. Training is also necessary as this dog is stubborn. He is intelligent enough to learn, and once trained, is gentle and calm.

The Chihuahua is such a feisty, courageous, confident little dog who also believes that he is part- lion. He is loving, sweet and gentle and just loves being picked up and petted non-stop. He looks up at you, moving his front paws up and down to tell you that he wants to be picked up.

He is in 7th heaven when he can be cuddled up in your lap. You just have to teach your children to be very careful with him and not enter into games with him that are too rough and tumble. Tiny he may be but he makes a great watchdog too, barking and alerting you to strangers.

His small size makes him perfect for life in the city or in the countryside. Just be careful when in the countryside lest an Eagle or Owl scoop him up and carry him off to some faraway nest.

He doesn’t need a great deal of exercise either and you can actually keep him happily busy with some games indoors. He’ll always welcome walks with you though.

This small dog is full of life and confidence and he is ready to be your constant, loving companion.

The Redbone loves the company of his human family. He is such a friendly dog,getting on well with everyone in the family, including the children and other pets.

He is a hunting dog and always ready to be part of any activities his human family is involved in. He is gentle and easy going, and and having him in your life is guaranteed to bring in a lot of joy and sunshine.

With good care, you’ll have your long haired Chihuahua with you for a long time – 15 years and longer.

Parasites:

Make sure to de-worm your Chihuahua. Worms and other parasites can be deadly for your pet and the vet will do preventative deworming on a regular basis.

You Chihuahua will need to be vaccinated when he is a puppy and even when he is an adult, although less often. These vaccines will protect your Chihuahua from the likes of parvo, distemper and rabies. Have your chihuahua spayed or neutered.

There are so many puppies in the world who can’t find homes. Desexing your Chihuahua is a responsible way to ensure your pet doesn’t have puppies. Spaying and neutering can actually be beneficial for your dog’s health.

The Redbone Coonhound is generally a healthy breed that can reach 12, 13, 14 years of age if well cared for.

There are some common dog illnesses that this do can succumb to and which are worth knowing about as they affect so many dogs. These are cancer, bloat, skin allergies, ear infections and hip dysplasia.

If you notice that your active dog is subdued and lethargic, it is your responsibility to get your 4-legged child to the vet to be looked over.

Grooming:

The pint-sized long-haired Chihuahua isn’t going to take up too much of your time in terms of grooming. Make sure you brush him at least twice a week to ensure his long hair doesn’t tangle. Small dogs are prone to dental problems, so try and brush his teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week with special doggy toothbrush- and toothpaste.

General Care:

Take your puppy Chihuahua to the vet for his regular vaccinations to prevent him getting dangerous illnesses.

Feed him a high quality dog food. He is a high energy dog so buy high quality food that caters for small, lively dogs. Try and feed him such home made food from time to time. Remember that with small dogs, high-salt diets can contribute to kidney problems.

Never overfeed your Chihuahua as obesity opens up major health problems in Chihuahuas.

Exercise:

Hunting dogs such as the Redbone Coonhound will need a good deal of exercise to stay happy and healthy. The breed is best suited to the countryside or suburbs as opposed to city dwelling.

He won’t be content with just a walk every day but is the kind of dog that will want to be free from a leash and be running far and wide. When at home, involve him in some rope- and ball games.

Grooming:

The Redbone Coonhound isn’t going to be a dog that you have to fuss over. His short coat can be brushed twice a week to keep him looking beautifully shiny. When you brush him, make sure you check for any unusual lumps.

He has floppy ears, so look inside his ears for signs of redness and discharge. This could be an indication of an ear infection. Also check inside his mouth as he could have a rotting tooth which could be causing him a lot of pain and also be poisoning his body.

Diet:

You want to ensure your beautiful Redbone Coonhound stands every chance to enjoy good health. Every dog owner should try to feed their dog the best food there is.

There are some good commercially manufactured foods on the market and these are wonderfully convenient to use for your dog. However, you want to provide him with some good homemade food too.

Dogs thrive on simplicity and consistency with their diets because then it prevents upset stomachs. Some home-cooked food such as boiled chicken, sweet potatoes, brown rice or pasta, carrots and spinach will be perfect for him.

Chop the food up finely and add it into the dry kibble once or twice a week. Raw meat can also be added in occasionally to promote good skin health. Make sure your pet is never without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.