Why you Should Get the German Shorthaired Pointer Instead of the Redbone Coonhound.

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2022

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German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Redbone Coonhound: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer or the Redbone Coonhound.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound: Overview

Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are similar in size. The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound

FactorGerman Shorthaired PointerRedbone Coonhound
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Height1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span12 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Shed4/54/5
Does NOT Drool4/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
General Health3/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/52/5
Easygoing2/51/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/52/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Does NOT chew on things2/52/5
Weight45 to 70 pounds45 to 70 pounds
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Easy To Train5/53/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Low Prey Drive1/52/5
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$1140$540
Price Range$800 – $1300$300 – $600
Temperament Score78.1 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – min age 24 months
  • Cone Degeneration
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – annual exams until age 6 recommended
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds10143
    *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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is 75 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Redbone Coonhound is 72 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the German Shorthaired Pointer is a better pet than the Redbone Coonhound. So, you should get a German Shorthaired Pointer!

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound

    Below is a list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are most different:

  • German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Redbone Coonhounds adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are most similar:

  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer weighs 45 to 70 pounds when fully grown. The German Shorthaired Pointer is 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 1 inch tall at the sho 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 German Shorthaired Pointer versus Size of Redbone Coonhound

    Appearance (Colors) of the German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound

    German Shorthaired Pointer Colors

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • White / Cream
    • Bicolor
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    The German Shorthaired Pointer comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    Redbone Coonhound Colors

    The Redbone Coonhound comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

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

    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 German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    The lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer lives longer than the Redbone Coonhound.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    Temperament of the German Shorthaired Pointer Versus the Redbone Coonhound

    The Redbone Coonhound has a better temperament than the German Shorthaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Redbone Coonhound is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Shorthaired Pointer is 78.1 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 78.1 percent, the German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound by measuring the temperaments of 137 German Shorthaired Pointers and 5 Redbone Coonhounds.

    Price of German Shorthaired Pointer versus Price of Redbone Coonhound

    The average price of the German Shorthaired Pointer puppy is $1140. The price of the German Shorthaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1300. However, the price of a German Shorthaired Pointer can be as low as $350 and as high as $2695. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 453 German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer is more expensive than the Redbone Coonhound.

    German Shorthaired Pointer Redbone Coonhound
    Average Price $1140 $540
    Price Range $800 to $1300 $300 to $600

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Shorthaired Pointers. 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 German Shorthaired Pointer 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.

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    Adopting the German Shorthaired Pointer versus Adopting the Redbone Coonhound

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointer named Blue that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Shorthaired Pointers like Blue on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Shorthaired Pointers, Redbone Coonhounds are also available for adoption. For example, Elbee is a Male Redbone Coonhound that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Redbone Coonhounds like Elbee that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Rodney is the name of another German Shorthaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointers and Redbone Coonhounds are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Shorthaired Pointers and Redbone Coonhounds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shorthaired Pointer is more popular with dog owners than the Redbone Coonhound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shorthaired Pointer is 10 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Redbone Coonhound is 143 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Shorthaired Pointer

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Popularity of Redbone Coonhound

    Year German Shorthaired Pointer Popularity Rank Redbone Coonhound Popularity Rank
    2013 13 133
    2014 12 148
    2015 11 139
    2016 11 143
    2017 10 139
    2018 9 142
    2019 9 143
    2020 9 146
    2021 9 155

    Tolerates Being Alone: German Shorthaired Pointer versus Redbone Coonhound

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Redbone Coonhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shorthaired Pointers shed more than Redbone Coonhounds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Redbone Coonhounds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along very well with other dogs.

    Redbone Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shorthaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Redbone Coonhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Redbone Coonhound

    German Shorthaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Redbone Coonhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are German Shorthaired Pointers and Redbone Coonhounds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the German Shorthaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Redbone Coonhounds?

    German Shorthaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Redbone Coonhounds can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shorthaired Pointer vs. Redbone Coonhound

    German Shorthaired Pointers 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 German Shorthaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Redbone Coonhounds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shorthaired Pointers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the German Shorthaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Redbone Coonhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Shorthaired Pointer or the Redbone Coonhound?

    German Shorthaired Pointers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    German Shorthaired Pointer versus Great Pyrenees     German Shorthaired Pointer versus American Eskimo Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Field Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Japanese Spitz     German Shorthaired Pointer versus English Cocker Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Miniature Pinscher     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Afghan Hound     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Chinook     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Berger Picard     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Bouvier des Flandres     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Pyredoodle     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Border Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Irish Terrier     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Goldador     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Australian Cattle Dog     German Shorthaired Pointer versus Spinone Italiano     

    Conclusion: German Shorthaired Pointer 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 German Shorthaired Pointer and the Redbone Coonhound better suits you and your family.