Southern Indiana,just outside of Evansville to be exact.A lot of ours are pretty red also, that's why we usually can't get much for our hides.Fur buyers seem to like them western grey's.
The redness of the hair resembles the pattern of a dog with allergies. They lick their feet and belly causing a reddish saliva staining.If it was an old dog that could be the case. Check the teeth for wear and buildup of tartar along the gum line. Shiny bright sharp teeth = young dog.
That's a big one alright. Biggest I ever got was a 3-legged yote running across the hayfield on a ranch I managed just outside of Aspen back in the 80's. He was missing a front leg up at the elbow but he was downright fat. I suspect he was eating well on the cats and small dogs around town. There was always a new sign up looking for Fifi.