Which is Better between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound? A Very Detailed Review.

by

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Redbone Coonhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Flat-Coated Retriever and for the Redbone Coonhound. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Redbone Coonhound

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound: Overview

Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are similar in size. The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Flat-Coated Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Redbone Coonhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Flat-Coated Retriever to the Redbone Coonhound based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Flat-Coated Retriever Redbone Coonhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 45 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1350 $530
Price Range $1150 – $1800 $300 – $600
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•  No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 94 141

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Flat-Coated Retriever in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Redbone Coonhound. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Flat-Coated Retriever is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Redbone Coonhound is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a better pet than the Redbone Coonhound. So, you should get the Flat-Coated Retriever!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound

    Below is a list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are most different:

  • Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Redbone Coonhounds adapt well to apartment living.

    • The Similarities Between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are most similar:

  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are very easy to train.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Flat-Coated Retrievers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Redbone Coonhounds weigh 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Redbone Coonhounds are 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Price of Redbone Coonhound

    The average price of the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy is $1350. The price of the Flat-Coated Retriever typically ranges from $1150 – $1800. However, the price of a Flat-Coated Retriever can be as low as $100 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Flat-Coated Retriever puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Redbone Coonhound puppy is $530. The price of the Redbone Coonhound typically ranges from $300 – $600. However, the price of a Redbone Coonhound can be as low as $200 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 102 Redbone Coonhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever is more expensive than the Redbone Coonhound.

    Flat-Coated Retriever Redbone Coonhound
    Average Price $1350 $530
    Price Range $1150 to $1800 $300 to $600

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Flat-Coated Retriever and Redbone Coonhound. For different price points, the charts show how many Flat-Coated Retriever puppies or how many Redbone Coonhound puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Flat-Coated Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds

    A breakdown of the prices of Redbone Coonhounds

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Flat-Coated Retriever puppy or the Redbone Coonhound puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Flat-Coated Retriever versus Adopting the Redbone Coonhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Flat-Coated Retrievers and many Redbone Coonhounds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Flat-Coated Retriever named Kaluha that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Flat-Coated Retrievers like Kaluha on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Flat-Coated Retrievers, Redbone Coonhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Duke is a Male Redbone Coonhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Redbone Coonhounds like Duke that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Palisade is the name of another Flat-Coated Retriever (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Elvis, an adorable Male Redbone Coonhound on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Flat-Coated Retrievers and Redbone Coonhounds are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Flat-Coated Retrievers and Redbone Coonhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever versus Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Flat-Coated Retriever is more popular with dog owners than the Redbone Coonhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Flat-Coated Retriever is 94 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Redbone Coonhound is 141 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Flat-Coated Retriever

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Year Flat-Coated Retriever Popularity Rank Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank
    2013 94 133
    2014 92 148
    2015 86 139
    2016 89 143
    2017 96 139
    2018 91 142
    2019 104 143
    2020 102 146

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Redbone Coonhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Which one drools more, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Redbone Coonhound

    Flat-Coated Retrievers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers shed more than Redbone Coonhounds?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers shed moderately.

    Redbone Coonhounds do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Does the Flat-Coated Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Redbone Coonhounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Can Flat-Coated Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

    Redbone Coonhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

    Is the Flat-Coated Retriever Easier to Train than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are very easy to train.

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Do Flat-Coated Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Redbone Coonhounds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Flat-Coated Retriever vs. Redbone Coonhound

    Flat-Coated Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Redbone Coonhounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Are Flat-Coated Retrievers good family dogs? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Redbone Coonhounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Flat-Coated Retrievers and Redbone Coonhounds?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Redbone Coonhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Flat-Coated Retriever or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Flat-Coated Retrievers get along very well with other dogs.

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Flat-Coated Retriever that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Flat-Coated Retriever:

  • Wirehaired Pointing Griffon (81 percent match with Flat-Coated Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Redbone Coonhound vs Wirehaired Pointing Griffon.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Redbone Coonhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Redbone Coonhound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Redbone Coonhound:

  • Bluetick Coonhound (81 percent match with Redbone Coonhound). Here is our comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever vs Bluetick Coonhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Flat-Coated Retriever and how the Redbone Coonhound compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Flat-Coated Retriever and of the Redbone Coonhound to other breeds:

    Flat-Coated Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Flat-Coated Retriever versus Gordon Setter     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Saint Berdoodle     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Alaskan Malamute     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Irish Setter     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Westiepoo     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Harrier     Flat-Coated Retriever versus German Longhaired Pointer     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Affenpinscher     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Australian Kelpie     Flat-Coated Retriever versus Australian Shepherd     

    Redbone Coonhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Redbone Coonhound versus Sussex Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Basset Hound     Redbone Coonhound versus Chi-Poo     Redbone Coonhound versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Redbone Coonhound versus Border Collie     Redbone Coonhound versus Westiepoo     Redbone Coonhound versus English Cocker Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Redbone Coonhound versus Clumber Spaniel     Redbone Coonhound versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     

    Conclusion: Flat-Coated Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Flat-Coated Retriever and the Redbone Coonhound better suits you and your family.