Which is Better between the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound?

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

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Australian Shepherd Versus Redbone Coonhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd or the Redbone Coonhound.

Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound: Overview

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound

FactorAustralian ShepherdRedbone Coonhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/52/5
Easy To Groom1/55/5
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Height18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
General Health2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/54/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/52/5
Kid-Friendly4/55/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Does NOT chew on things2/52/5
Low Prey Drive2/52/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Weight40 to 65 pounds45 to 70 pounds
Easygoing1/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/51/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.5 years11.0 years
Average Price$1180$540
Price Range$800 – $1500$300 – $600
Temperament Score82.2 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds15143
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),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 Australian Shepherd 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 the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Redbone Coonhound is 72 out of 125.

    Despite the higher Better-Pet score of the Redbone Coonhound, we still believe that the Australian Shepherd is a better pet than the Redbone Coonhound.

    This is because Australian Shepherds are much cuter but you cannot put a score on cuteness. If you could put a score on cuteness, then the Australian Shepherd will come out on top.

    Also, we are biased in favor of the Australian Shepherd :-). We are for the Australian Shepherd. So get a Australian Shepherd!

    Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are most different:

  • Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Redbone Coonhounds adapt well to apartment living.
  • Australian Shepherds do not have the tendency to drool. However, Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound

    The Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are most similar:

  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound.

    The Australian Shepherd weighs 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. The Australian Shepherd is 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Redbone Coonhound weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The Redbone Coonhound is 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Australian Shepherd versus Size of Redbone Coonhound

    Appearance (Colors) of the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound

    Australian Shepherd Colors

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Black
    • Merle (Red)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Harlequin
    • Merle (Blue)
    • White / Cream
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Bicolor
    • Golden
    • Brindle

    The Australian Shepherd comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Black
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Sable
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Merle (Blue)

    Redbone Coonhound Colors

    The Redbone Coonhound comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Brindle
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Redbone Coonhound comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brindle

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    The lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Australian Shepherd is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of the Redbone Coonhound is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of the Redbone Coonhound is 11.0 years.

    The Australian Shepherd live longer than the Redbone Coonhound.

    Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    Temperament of the Redbone Coonhound Versus the Australian Shepherd

    The Redbone Coonhound has a better temperament than the Australian Shepherd.

    This is because the temperament score for the Redbone Coonhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Australian Shepherd is 82.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.2 percent, the Australian Shepherd has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Redbone Coonhound has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound by measuring the temperaments of 702 Australian Shepherds and 5 Redbone Coonhounds.

    Price of Australian Shepherd versus Price of Redbone Coonhound

    The average price of the Australian Shepherd puppy is $1180. The price of the Australian Shepherd typically ranges from $800 – $1500. However, the price of a Australian Shepherd can be as low as $100 and as high as $12009. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 2674 Australian Shepherd puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Redbone Coonhound puppy is $540. The price of the Redbone Coonhound typically ranges from $300 – $600. However, the price of the Redbone Coonhound can be as low as $100 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 110 Redbone Coonhound puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Australian Shepherd is more expensive than the Redbone Coonhound.

    Australian Shepherd Redbone Coonhound
    Average Price $1180 $540
    Price Range $800 to $1500 $300 to $600

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Australian Shepherds. 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 Australian Shepherd 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

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

    Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    Adopting the Australian Shepherd versus Adopting the Redbone Coonhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Australian Shepherds 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 Australian Shepherd named 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Australian Shepherds like 0149 Vern (Aka Walter) on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Australian Shepherds, Redbone Coonhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Sharky is a Male Redbone Coonhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Redbone Coonhounds like Sharky that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    You can find more Australian Shepherds and Redbone Coonhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Australian Shepherd is more popular with dog owners than the Redbone Coonhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Australian Shepherd is 15 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Redbone Coonhound is 143 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Australian Shepherd

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Year Australian Shepherd Popularity Rank Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank
    2013 20 133
    2014 18 148
    2015 17 139
    2016 16 143
    2017 17 139
    2018 15 142
    2019 13 143
    2020 12 146
    2021 12 155

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Redbone Coonhounds?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Redbone Coonhound

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Redbone Coonhounds?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds 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.

    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.

    Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Redbone Coonhound

    Australian Shepherds 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.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Redbone Coonhound?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Australian Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Australian Shepherd compares to other breeds aside from the Redbone Coonhound. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Australian Shepherd to other breeds:

    Australian Shepherd versus Silky Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Affenpinscher     Australian Shepherd versus Cockalier     Australian Shepherd versus Toy Fox Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Shiranian     Australian Shepherd versus Norfolk Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Norwich Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Lakeland Terrier     Australian Shepherd versus Akita Chow     Australian Shepherd versus English Cocker Spaniel     Australian Shepherd versus Pomapoo     Australian Shepherd versus Saint Bernard     Australian Shepherd versus Afador     Australian Shepherd versus Maremma Sheepdog     Australian Shepherd versus Portuguese Pointer     Australian Shepherd versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Australian Shepherd versus Basset Hound     Australian Shepherd versus Affenhuahua     Australian Shepherd versus Fila Brasileiro     

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd 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 Australian Shepherd and the Redbone Coonhound better suits you and your family.

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