they are both redbone hound dogs
The dogs in "Where the Red Fern Grows" are coonhounds, specifically a pair of Redbone Coonhounds named Old Dan and Little Ann. These dogs are known for their hunting abilities and loyalty to their owners.
He enters them into a coon hunting contest
The Redbone Coonhound originated in the United States, specifically in the southern region. They were bred as hunting dogs, known for their hunting skills and distinctive red coat.
Years ago most coon hunters who owned a red dog of unknown ancestry, but proven ability in tracking and treeing raccoons, called their dog a "Redbone." Then a few serious breeders who were devoted both to the breed and the sport began a campaign of selective breeding to produce a hound with the necessary characteristics to make a superior coonhound and which would breed true to type in color and conformation. Breeders in the American South, Tennessee and Georgia to be precise, desired a hound with more speed and a hotter sniffer than many of the existing coonhounds. The first dogs were commonly called "Saddlebacks." The background color was red, and most of them possessed black saddle markings. By selective breeding, the black saddle was bred out and the solid red dogs became known as Redbone Coonhounds. As is the case with most of the other coonhound breeds, the ancestors of the Redbone were Foxhounds. A Bloodhound cross is said to have been made, and it's also said to account for the white chest and feet markings which still occasionally show up in Redbone pups today. The result of this mixture makes them a reliable hunting dog, as the breed's moderate size, foxhoundish appearance, and courage are in its nature. They are used primarily for treeing coon, but can be adapted to other game, including big cat. This hound may have been named after an early breeder, Peter Redbone of Tennessee, although much of its breeding has taken place in Georgia. The foundation stock of the modern day Redbone came from George F.L. Birdsong of Georgia, who was a noted fox hunter and breeder. He obtained the pack of Dr. Thomas Henry in the 1840's. The Redbone was the second coonhound breed to be registered with U.K.C., the first being registered in 1902, two years after the Black & Tan. Today it is used for hunting Raccoon and as a companion dog. The Redbone Coonhound was recognized by the AKC in 2009.
It was a coon hound. That is why Billy took him in and remembered his own dogs.
if your "hunting" yes.... id say so.....its not learly as fun without the dogs and harder to find them.....if you do it without dogs, its kinda more likepest control, the fun part about coon hunting, the true sport of it is training your hound(s) to do the job, and nothing beats seeing and hearing how much fun they are having! do yourself a favor and get a good hound! and watch where the red fern grows!
The oldest breed of domestic dog is believed to be a close relative to the greyhound and Pharaoh hound.
You know that camouflage is important when hunting. And so coon hunters have developed that breed of dog having stealth, agility, profile and sense for coon hunting. Once upon a coon, they sound the alarm. Now find a picture of a coon and hopefully you won't be mistaking a coon for a coon dog. But don't be persuaded by me; many hound dogs can be viciously trained to hunt for coons.
Billy obviously wanted two hound dogs for coon-hunting... DURR DURR DURR.
greyhounds are the fastest dogs Yes, they are. All breeds of hound dogs were bred to run, whether the purpose be for running races or chasing down prey. They can also keep running for long periods of time (how long and far depends on the breed the how fast they are going)
No, spayed dogs are infertile and cannot be bred.