Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a medium to large scenthound that hunters in the southern United States developed to trail and tree raccoon and bigger game. It is the only coonhound breed with a coat that comes in one solid red color, which is what sets it apart from the other American coonhound breeds. A full-grown male usually stands 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighs 45 to 70 pounds.

At home, the Redbone is gentle and easygoing with the people it lives with, but out in the field its drive to work does not let up. It tracks by scent, works comfortably with other dogs in a pack, and bays loudly once it picks up a trail; this is simply how the breed does its job, not bad behavior. Redbones are affectionate toward their families and usually patient with kids who grow up around them.

This is not a dog for a quiet, sedentary household. A Redbone that does not get enough exercise and something to think about will get restless and start baying out of boredom. Fur parents who hunt, jog, hike, or join scent-tracking activities tend to bring out the best in this breed.

Who it suits

The Redbone Coonhound suits an active, outgoing fur parent who can commit to daily exercise, not someone after a low-key lap dog. It fits well with hunters and households in the province or in subdivisions with a decent, securely fenced yard. Because it follows its nose and bays when it does, a condo unit or a house close to neighbors is not the best setup. Owners away from home for long stretches, including those working overseas, will find this breed hard to manage without support at home.

The Redbone Coonhound goes back to red-coated foxhounds that Scottish and other European settlers brought to North America in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Breeders crossed these dogs with imported hounds, including some from Ireland, to come up with a hound built for American terrain and American game.

All throughout the 1800s, hound breeders in the southern United States kept refining a dog that could run fast on a trail, stay locked onto a scent, and tree raccoon as well as bigger quarry like bear and cougar. People often credit early breeders who worked on the line for the Redbone name, and little by little the breed settled into the solid red color it is known for today.

Careful, selective breeding phased out the black saddle markings that earlier red hounds carried, leaving a hound with a clean, solid red coat. This push toward one uniform color, on top of strong working ability, is what set the Redbone apart from the other American coonhound types.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Redbone Coonhound in 2009 under its Hound Group. The breed is still uncommon in the Philippines, known mainly among hunting dog circles and hound hobbyists rather than as a common household pet, but it holds its place both as a working coonhound and as a family companion wherever it is kept.

The Redbone Coonhound has an athletic, well put together build, with a deep chest, straight legs, and a body a little longer than it is tall. It is built for speed and stamina, not bulk. The head is moderately wide with a clean muzzle, and the long, low-set ears hang close against the cheeks. Like most scenthounds, its expression is soft, almost pleading.

Coat and colors

The signature trait is the solid red coat, which can run from a light red to a deep mahogany. A small white patch on the chest or feet is allowed under the breed standard, as long as it stays minimal. The coat itself is short, smooth, and lies flat against the body, giving some protection against brush and rough weather on a hunt. The nose is dark, and dark pigment around the eyes rounds out the breed's calm, alert expression.

The Redbone Coonhound is even-tempered and easy to like, and it bonds tightly with its family. Around the house it is affectionate and often just wants to lie near its people once the day's activity is done. It is generally good with kids and tends to be patient, though given its size and energy, playtime with very young children should be watched.

Redbones are usually friendly with strangers rather than wary, so they will not double as guard dogs, though a loud bay will still let the household know someone is at the gate. They come from a long line of pack hounds and typically get along fine with other dogs. Cats and smaller pets are a different story: a strong prey drive can switch on around smaller animals, so introductions need to be slow and supervised.

This is a vocal breed. Baying and barking come with the territory of being a coonhound, and a Redbone left bored or alone at home will make noise about it, something worth keeping in mind in a subdivision with close neighbors. A scent on the ground can pull a Redbone away in seconds, so a secure fence and solid recall training matter a lot.

Keeping a Redbone Coonhound clean is simple, but keeping it satisfied takes real effort. Its short coat asks for very little upkeep, while its body and mind ask for plenty.

Grooming

• Brush once a week with a rubber curry or hound mitt to clear out loose hair and spread natural skin oils.
• Bathe only when really needed, since the coat carries a natural hound smell that comes back not long after a bath.
• Check and clean the long, drooping ears often, since their shape traps moisture easily in our humid weather and can lead to infection.
• Trim the nails every few weeks and brush the teeth several times a week.

Exercise

• Give the dog at least 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day through walks, jogs, or fieldwork.
• Use scent games, tracking, or trailing exercises to satisfy its working drive.
• Keep the dog on leash or inside a fenced area in open spaces, since a scent trail can override its recall in an instant.
• Add short training sessions and puzzle feeders to tire out the mind along with the body.

Environment

A Redbone does best in a home with a securely fenced yard and room to run around, the kind of setup more common in subdivisions or provincial properties than in a condo or a small city apartment. Given the Philippines' hot, humid climate and long rainy and typhoon season, make sure the dog has shade, fresh water, and good drainage outdoors, plus a dry, sheltered spot to retreat to during heavy rain and flooding.

Feed a complete and balanced dog food made for a large, active breed. A working hunting dog burns through more calories than a pet that mostly stays home, so adjust the amount to the individual dog and how much it is doing. Protein and fat levels should support muscle and stamina without piling on extra weight. Split the daily food into two meals to lower the risk of bloat, a serious stomach condition that deep-chested breeds like this one can develop.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to around 10 percent of daily calories so they do not throw off the diet. Small pieces of plain cooked meat or commercial training treats both work well. Most Redbones on a complete diet do not need extra supplements, but a vet may recommend joint support for an aging dog or one that works hard in the field. Always keep fresh water available, especially after exercise and during the hot months.

The Redbone Coonhound is a tough, hardy working breed that usually lives 12 to 15 years. Like most large dogs, it has a handful of conditions worth watching for, and responsible breeders screen their breeding stock to cut down the risk of passing on inherited problems. Routine vet visits and a healthy weight do a lot toward a long, active life.

Preventive care

• Stay current on vaccinations and parasite prevention, including flea, tick, and heartworm control, which matters year-round in our tropical climate.
• Book a yearly vet check-up, and more often once the dog reaches its senior years.
• Clean and dry the ears regularly to head off infection.
• Keep the dog at a healthy weight to protect its joints.
• Ask the breeder whether the parents were screened for hip and eye problems.

The Redbone Coonhound is smart and willing to work with you, but it carries the independent streak typical of scenthounds. Once it locks onto an interesting scent, commands can go right past it, so training calls for patience and consistency. Start young, keep sessions short and varied, and build a dependable recall before letting the dog off leash anywhere open. Harsh handling backfires with a Redbone; food, praise, and play work far better as rewards. Its strong nose is also an asset in tracking and scent-based games, which help burn off energy and cut down on nuisance baying.

Basics

1. Socialize the puppy early with different people, places, dogs, and other animals.
2. Teach it to respond to its name and a marker word, such as "yes," to mark the right behavior.
3. Build sit, down, and stay through short, frequent sessions.
4. Train a solid recall, starting in a fenced area and rewarding generously.
5. Work on loose-leash walking, since a Redbone will pull hard toward a scent.
6. Add scent or tracking games to give the working drive an outlet.

Breeding a Redbone Coonhound calls for planning around health and temperament, not just convenience. Dogs should be bred only once they are physically mature and have passed health screening, usually from one to two years old, rather than at their very first season. Screening both parents' hips and eyes helps cut down on inherited problems in the litter.

Pregnancy in dogs runs about 63 days. Litters in this breed usually fall between 6 and 10 puppies, though the number varies from one female to another. The pregnant dam needs good nutrition, a calm environment, and veterinary care right through pregnancy and whelping.

Newborn puppies are born blind and deaf and depend completely on their mother for warmth and feeding. Their eyes open at around two weeks old, and weaning usually starts close to four weeks. Gentle handling and early socialization from just a few weeks old help the puppies grow into stable, friendly adults. Puppies typically go to their new homes at around eight weeks old, and in the Philippines it is worth asking the breeder for proof of deworming and initial vaccinations before bringing a puppy home.

How to register a Redbone Coonhound in the Philippines

A Redbone Coonhound that gets loose during a storm is identified by whatever record answers the scan, not by the barangay it came from. Give it a record that answers: your mobile number, the dog's photo, and his details, free for life with United Pet Club. Register your dog today and it is done for good.

The clinic's part ended with the implant; the tracing part is yours. File your Redbone Coonhound's 15-digit number with United Pet Club and every scan leads to your phone: free for life, all brands accepted, updates free every time your details change. Microchip registration plus a free account finishes the job.