Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a medium to large scenthound developed in the United States to hunt raccoon and bigger game across rough country. It is the only coonhound with an even, solid red coat, which sets it apart from the other American coonhound breeds at a glance. Males generally stand 56 to 69 cm at the shoulder and weigh 20 to 32 kg.

At home the breed is friendly and level headed, but out in the field it keeps a serious working drive. Redbones hunt by scent, work well as part of a pack, and bay or bark to signal they have found something. That is the job doing what it was bred to do, not a behaviour problem. They form strong bonds with their family and are usually good with kids who grow up around them.

This is not a breed for a quiet life. Without a solid daily outlet for its energy and its nose, a Redbone can turn bored and noisy fast. Owners who hunt, run, hike, or take up scent work tend to end up with the most settled, satisfied dog.

Who it suits

The Redbone Coonhound suits people after an active, sociable dog who can commit to exercise every day, not just on weekends. It fits well with hunters and households that enjoy long walks, runs, or dog sport. Because the breed is vocal and led by its nose, it needs a securely fenced yard and a recall you can actually rely on. It is a poor match for apartment living, inner city units, or owners who are out at work for long stretches.

The Redbone Coonhound traces back to red coloured foxhounds brought to North America by Scottish and other European settlers in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Breeders crossed these dogs with imported hounds, including stock from Ireland, to build a hound suited to the game and terrain of the American south.

Through the 1800s, breeders in the southern states worked toward a hound that was quick on the trail, reliable on scent, and able to tree raccoon along with bigger quarry such as bear and cougar. The name is often linked to early breeders who had a hand in shaping the line, and over generations the breed settled into its trademark solid red colour.

Selective breeding gradually bred out the black saddle markings common in earlier red hounds. What remained was a hound with a clean red coat. This focus on a uniform colour, alongside working ability, is what set the Redbone apart from the other American coonhound types.

The American Kennel Club recognised the Redbone Coonhound in 2009, placing it in its Hound Group. Dogs Australia, the national body for pedigree dog registration here, does not currently list the breed, so the Redbone remains a rare sight in Australian backyards and is usually sourced through overseas hunting hound contacts rather than a local show ring breeder.

The Redbone Coonhound has an athletic, well balanced frame with a deep chest, straight legs, and a body a touch longer than it is tall. The whole picture is built for speed and stamina rather than bulk. The head is moderately broad with a clean muzzle, and the long, low set ears hang close against the cheeks. The expression is soft, almost pleading. That look is typical of scenthounds generally.

Coat and colours

The defining feature is the solid red coat, ranging from a light red through to a deep mahogany. A small white marking on the chest or feet is allowed under the breed standard but should stay minimal. The coat is short and smooth, sitting flat against the body, and gives some protection against scrub and weather while working. Australian conditions add another test: a short coat offers little insulation against harsh sun, so shade and rest breaks matter over the warmer months. The nose is dark, and dark pigment around the eyes adds to the breed's steady, alert look.

The Redbone Coonhound is even tempered and easygoing, and it bonds closely with its family. At home it is affectionate and often happy to flake out near its people after a decent burn of activity. The breed is generally good with kids and tends to be patient, though given its size and energy, play with younger children is worth keeping an eye on.

Around strangers, Redbones are usually friendly rather than wary, so they are not much chop as guard dogs, though a loud bay will let the household know someone is at the gate. They come from pack hunting stock and typically get along well with other dogs. Cats and smaller pets are a different story: a strong prey drive can switch on around anything small and fast moving, so introductions need care.

The breed is a talker. Baying and barking are part of how a coonhound does its job, and a Redbone left bored or alone will often use its voice to say so. A scent on the breeze can pull a Redbone off task in a heartbeat, so secure fencing and solid recall training earn their keep.

The Redbone Coonhound is easy enough to keep clean, but it is demanding when it comes to activity. Its short coat asks little of an owner, while its body and mind ask for a great deal.

Grooming

• Brush weekly with a rubber curry comb or hound mitt to lift loose hair and spread natural oils through the coat.
• Wash only when needed, since the coat carries a natural hound smell that comes straight back after a bath.
• Check and clean the long drop ears regularly, since their shape traps moisture and can lead to infection.
• Trim nails every few weeks and brush teeth several times a week.

Exercise

• Aim for at least 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day through walks, runs, or fieldwork.
• Use scent games, tracking, or trailing work to satisfy the working drive rather than leaving it unmet.
• Keep the dog on lead or inside a fenced area in open spaces, since a scent trail can override recall in an instant.
• Add training sessions and puzzle feeders to tire the mind as well as the legs.
• In the hotter months, shift exercise to early morning or evening and skip the midday sun altogether; hot bitumen and pavers can burn paw pads fast.

Environment

A Redbone does best in a home with a securely fenced yard and room to move. It is not a good fit for apartments or for neighbourhoods where a loud bay would cause friction. The breed copes with a range of climates thanks to its working coat, but over an Australian summer it needs shade, fresh water, and a cool spot to rest, and over a cold snap it needs shelter.

Feed a complete and balanced dog food formulated for a large, active breed. Working and hunting dogs burn through more energy than a pet kept mainly at home, so adjust the amount to the individual dog and its workload. Protein and fat levels should support muscle and stamina without tipping the dog into excess weight. Split the daily ration into two meals to lower the risk of bloat, a serious stomach condition that deep chested breeds are prone to.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around 10 percent of daily calories so they do not throw the diet out of balance. Good options include small pieces of plain cooked meat or shop-bought training treats. Most Redbones on a complete diet do not need supplements, but a vet may suggest joint support for an older or hard-working dog. Keep fresh water on hand at all times, especially around exercise and during hot weather.

The Redbone Coonhound is a tough working breed and typically lives 12 to 15 years. Like many large dogs, it carries a handful of conditions worth watching for, and responsible breeders screen their breeding stock to cut the risk of passing on inherited problems. Regular veterinary care and a healthy weight go a long way toward a long, active life.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date, including flea, tick, and heartworm cover.
• Book yearly veterinary check-ups, with more frequent visits once the dog reaches its senior years.
• Clean and dry the ears regularly to head off infection before it starts.
• Maintain a healthy weight to protect the joints.
• Ask the breeder about hip and eye screening on both parents.

The Redbone Coonhound is clever and willing, but it carries the independent streak common to scenthounds. A dog that picks up an interesting scent can switch off from commands entirely, so training calls for patience and consistency. Start early, keep sessions short and varied, and lock in a reliable recall before trusting the dog off lead. Redbones respond poorly to harsh handling and do far better with food, praise, and play as rewards. Their strong nose can be put to good use in tracking and scent work. This also helps burn energy and cuts down on nuisance baying.

Basics

1. Socialise the puppy early with people, places, dogs, and other animals.
2. Teach name response and a marker word, such as "yes," to flag correct behaviour.
3. Build sit, down, and stay through short, frequent sessions.
4. Train a strong recall, starting in a fenced area and rewarding generously.
5. Work on loose-lead walking, since a Redbone will pull hard toward a scent.
6. Add scent or tracking games to give the working drive somewhere to go.

Breeding a Redbone Coonhound should be planned around health and temperament, not left to chance. Dogs are best bred once they are physically mature and have cleared health screening, usually from one to two years of age, rather than at the first season. Hip and eye screening on both parents helps lower the risk of inherited problems turning up in the litter.

Pregnancy in dogs runs about 63 days. Litters in this breed commonly fall between 6 and 10 puppies, though numbers vary from one female to the next. The pregnant dam needs good nutrition, a calm environment, and veterinary care right through gestation and whelping.

Newborn puppies are blind and deaf at birth and rely entirely on their mother for warmth and feeding. Eyes open at around two weeks, and weaning usually starts near the four week mark. Early handling and gentle socialisation from a few weeks of age help puppies grow into stable, friendly adults. Puppies typically head to new homes at around eight weeks old.

How to register a Redbone Coonhound in Australia

Rangers and shelters can only call the number the scan hands them. Give your Redbone Coonhound a free United Pet Club profile and that number is yours: dog registration takes a few minutes, costs nothing for his lifetime, and works with or without a chip in place.

A chipped Redbone Coonhound without a registration is carrying a number nobody can use. File it with United Pet Club and the number works for him: free for life, open to every chip brand sold here, searchable from any clinic or pound in the country. Microchip registration now, free account while you're at it.