Compare Breeds
Compare dog breeds side by side
Select 2 or 3 breeds and compare them across purpose, size, daily life, household fit, training, health and reality. This tool uses the same verified information from each breed guide — it does not assign scores, rank breeds, or declare a winner. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time.
Preset comparisons
Overview
Original purpose
Trailing and treeing raccoon and large game
Trailing and baying boar, bear and raccoon
Country / region of origin
United States (Southern)
United States (North Carolina, German heritage)
Academy group
Treeing Scenthound
Big-Game Scenthound
Life expectancy
12–15 years
12–14 years
Physical
Height range
53–66 cm (21–26 in)
51–71 cm (20–28 in)
Weight range
20–32 kg (45–70 lb)
18–27 kg (40–60 lb)
Coat type
Short, dense coat
Short, dense coat
Recognized colours
Solid red; sometimes with white on chest and feet
Brindle (any shade); also solid black, liver
Shedding
Moderate
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
High
Mental-work commitment
High (scent)
High (scent)
Training commitment
Moderate
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Bawling, baying and howling are core and persistent breed behaviour, especially on trail. The voice is loud and musical. Close-neighbour housing is rarely suitable. Manag…
A distinctive chopping bawl, baying and howling are core and persistent breed behaviour, especially on trail. The voice is loud and carrying. Close-neighbour housing is r…
Prey-drive tendency
High prey and scent drive is defining. The breed trails and trees quarry and chases small fleeing animals. Secure containment and accepting off-leash limits are essential…
High prey and scent drive is defining. The breed trails, bays and chases, and was bred to hold large, dangerous quarry. Secure containment and accepting off-leash limits…
Protective tendency
Variable
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Variable
Children considerations
Redbone Coonhounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Generally good with other dogs. Prey and scent drive can affect…
Plott Hounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Boldness and prey drive require supervision around small animals. Som…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Redbone Coonhounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Generally good with other dogs. Prey and scent drive can affect…
Plott Hounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Boldness and prey drive require supervision around small animals. Som…
Training
Training style considerations
The breed is trainable but scent-driven and independent; consistency, patience and food-motivated short sessions work best. Recall is a lifelong project. Harsh handling r…
The breed is trainable but scent-driven and independent; consistency, patience and food-motivated short sessions work best. Recall is a lifelong project. The bold tempera…
Recall considerations
Variable
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include ear infections (related to drooping ears), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain orthopedic conditions…
Commonly discussed health concerns include ear infections (related to drooping ears), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain orthopedic conditions…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Gentle, devoted and sociable temperament; Sleek, striking solid-red coat; Powerful nose and trailing ability; Generally good with family and other dogs
Bold, devoted and athletic temperament; Powerful nose and big-game baying ability; Distinctive brindle coat; Low-maintenance short coat
What can be difficult
Very loud, musical bawling — especially on trail; High prey and scent drive — unsafe off leash when on a trail; Roaming and range requiring secure land; Stubborn, single-minded persistence that resists interruption
Very loud, distinctive chopping bawl — especially on trail; High prey and scent drive — unsafe off leash when on a trail; Roaming and range requiring secure land; Stubborn, single-minded persistence that resists interruption
Who this breed may suit
Redbone Coonhounds may suit active rural homes with secure land and owners who provide trailing outlets. The breed's gentle, sociable nature can be rewarding for househol…
Plott Hounds may suit active rural homes with secure land and experienced owners who provide trailing outlets. The breed's bold, devoted nature can be rewarding for house…
Who should think carefully
Redbone Coonhounds may not suit suburban or close-neighbour housing, homes unable to provide secure land, or anyone requiring fast, biddable obedience or quiet. The breed…
Plott Hounds may not suit suburban or close-neighbour housing, homes unable to provide secure land, or first-time or casual homes. The breed's scent drive, vocalizing, ra…
Redbone Coonhound
Treeing Scenthound
Overview
Original purpose
Trailing and treeing raccoon and large game
Country / region of origin
United States (Southern)
Academy group
Treeing Scenthound
Life expectancy
12–15 years
Physical
Height range
53–66 cm (21–26 in)
Weight range
20–32 kg (45–70 lb)
Coat type
Short, dense coat
Recognized colours
Solid red; sometimes with white on chest and feet
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Low maintenance
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High (scent)
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
Bawling, baying and howling are core and persistent breed behaviour, especially on trail. The voice is loud and musical. Close-neighbour housing is rarely suitable. Manag…
Prey-drive tendency
High prey and scent drive is defining. The breed trails and trees quarry and chases small fleeing animals. Secure containment and accepting off-leash limits are essential…
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Redbone Coonhounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Generally good with other dogs. Prey and scent drive can affect…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Redbone Coonhounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Generally good with other dogs. Prey and scent drive can affect…
Training
Training style considerations
The breed is trainable but scent-driven and independent; consistency, patience and food-motivated short sessions work best. Recall is a lifelong project. Harsh handling r…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include ear infections (related to drooping ears), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain orthopedic conditions…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Gentle, devoted and sociable temperament; Sleek, striking solid-red coat; Powerful nose and trailing ability; Generally good with family and other dogs
What can be difficult
Very loud, musical bawling — especially on trail; High prey and scent drive — unsafe off leash when on a trail; Roaming and range requiring secure land; Stubborn, single-minded persistence that resists interruption
Who this breed may suit
Redbone Coonhounds may suit active rural homes with secure land and owners who provide trailing outlets. The breed's gentle, sociable nature can be rewarding for househol…
Who should think carefully
Redbone Coonhounds may not suit suburban or close-neighbour housing, homes unable to provide secure land, or anyone requiring fast, biddable obedience or quiet. The breed…
Plott Hound
Big-Game Scenthound
Overview
Original purpose
Trailing and baying boar, bear and raccoon
Country / region of origin
United States (North Carolina, German heritage)
Academy group
Big-Game Scenthound
Life expectancy
12–14 years
Physical
Height range
51–71 cm (20–28 in)
Weight range
18–27 kg (40–60 lb)
Coat type
Short, dense coat
Recognized colours
Brindle (any shade); also solid black, liver
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming commitment
Low maintenance
Daily life
Exercise commitment
High
Mental-work commitment
High (scent)
Training commitment
Moderate
Vocal tendency
A distinctive chopping bawl, baying and howling are core and persistent breed behaviour, especially on trail. The voice is loud and carrying. Close-neighbour housing is r…
Prey-drive tendency
High prey and scent drive is defining. The breed trails, bays and chases, and was bred to hold large, dangerous quarry. Secure containment and accepting off-leash limits…
Protective tendency
Variable
Household
Housing & experience
Variable
Children considerations
Plott Hounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Boldness and prey drive require supervision around small animals. Som…
Other-dog considerations
Variable
Other-pet considerations
Plott Hounds can live well with children and other pets when raised with them and managed carefully. Boldness and prey drive require supervision around small animals. Som…
Training
Training style considerations
The breed is trainable but scent-driven and independent; consistency, patience and food-motivated short sessions work best. Recall is a lifelong project. The bold tempera…
Recall considerations
Variable
Health & care
Major health considerations
Commonly discussed health concerns include ear infections (related to drooping ears), certain eye conditions (progressive retinal atrophy), certain orthopedic conditions…
Expected financial considerations
Variable
Fit & reality
What people often love
Bold, devoted and athletic temperament; Powerful nose and big-game baying ability; Distinctive brindle coat; Low-maintenance short coat
What can be difficult
Very loud, distinctive chopping bawl — especially on trail; High prey and scent drive — unsafe off leash when on a trail; Roaming and range requiring secure land; Stubborn, single-minded persistence that resists interruption
Who this breed may suit
Plott Hounds may suit active rural homes with secure land and experienced owners who provide trailing outlets. The breed's bold, devoted nature can be rewarding for house…
Who should think carefully
Plott Hounds may not suit suburban or close-neighbour housing, homes unable to provide secure land, or first-time or casual homes. The breed's scent drive, vocalizing, ra…
This comparison explains differences. The better fit depends on the individual dog, the owner's experience, household, environment, goals and available time. No breed is ranked or scored.