Redbone coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a medium to large scenthound developed in the United States for hunting raccoon and larger game. It is the only coonhound with a uniform red coat, a feature that sets it apart from the other American coonhound breeds. Males typically stand 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh 45 to 70 pounds.

The breed is known for being friendly and even-tempered at home while keeping a high working drive in the field. Redbones track by scent, work well in packs, and tend to bay or bark to signal a find, which is part of their working purpose rather than a fault. They are affectionate with their families and generally good with children when raised alongside them.

This is an active breed. Without regular exercise and mental work, a Redbone can become bored and noisy. Owners who hunt, hike, run, or compete in scent sports tend to get the best out of the breed.

Who it suits

The Redbone Coonhound fits people who want an active, sociable dog and can commit to daily exercise. It does well with hunters and households that enjoy long walks, running, or dog sports. The breed is vocal and follows its nose, so it needs a securely fenced yard and reliable recall training. It is less suited to apartment living or owners who are away for long hours.

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

Through the 1800s, breeders in the southern United States worked toward a hound that was fast on the trail, sure on the scent, and able to tree raccoon and larger quarry such as bear and cougar. The name is often linked to early breeders who shaped the line, and over time the breed settled into its distinctive solid red color.

Selective breeding gradually removed the black saddle markings common in earlier red hounds, producing a hound with a clear red coat. This focus on a uniform color, alongside working ability, distinguished the Redbone from the other American coonhound types.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Redbone Coonhound in 2009, placing it in the Hound Group. The breed remains valued both as a working coonhound and as a family companion.

The Redbone Coonhound has an athletic, well-balanced build with a deep chest, straight legs, and a body slightly longer than it is tall. The overall look is one of speed and endurance rather than bulk. The head is moderately broad with a clean muzzle, and the long, low-set ears hang close to the cheeks. The expression is soft and pleading, typical of scenthounds.

Coat and colors

The defining feature is the solid red coat, which ranges from a light to a deep mahogany red. A small white marking on the chest or feet is allowed in the breed standard but should be minimal. The coat is short and smooth, lying flat against the body, and gives some protection against brush and weather during work. The nose is dark, and the dark pigment around the eyes adds to the breed's even, attentive look.

The Redbone Coonhound is an even-tempered and amiable dog that bonds closely with its family. At home it is affectionate and often relaxed, content to lie near its people after a day of activity. The breed is generally good with children and tends to be patient, though its size and energy mean play with small children should be supervised.

With strangers, Redbones are usually friendly rather than guarded, so they are not strong guard dogs, though their loud bay will alert a household. They are pack hounds by history and typically get on well with other dogs. Cats and small pets are a different matter, since a strong prey drive can be triggered by smaller animals, and careful introductions are needed.

The breed is vocal. Baying and barking are part of how a coonhound works, and a Redbone left bored or alone may use its voice. A scent on the ground can pull a Redbone away quickly, so secure fencing and trained recall are important.

The Redbone Coonhound is straightforward to keep clean but demanding when it comes to activity. Its short coat needs little work, while its body and mind need a lot of it.

Grooming

• Brush weekly with a rubber curry or hound mitt to remove loose hair and spread skin oils.
• Bathe only when needed, since the coat carries a natural hound odor that returns after washing.
• Check and clean the long drop ears regularly, because the shape traps moisture and can lead to infection.
• Trim nails every few weeks and brush teeth several times a week.

Exercise

• Provide at least 60 to 90 minutes of activity daily through walks, running, or fieldwork.
• Use scent games, tracking, or trailing to satisfy the working drive.
• Keep the dog leashed or in a fenced area in open settings, since a scent can override recall.
• Add training sessions and puzzle feeders to tire the mind as well as the body.

Environment

A Redbone does best in a home with a securely fenced yard and access to space for running. It is not well matched to apartments or homes with close neighbors who may object to baying. The breed tolerates a range of climates thanks to its working coat but should have shade and water in heat and shelter in cold.

Feed a complete and balanced dog food suited to a large, active breed. Active hunting dogs need more calories than a pet kept mainly at home, so adjust amounts to the individual dog and its workload. Protein and fat levels should support muscle and endurance without leading to excess weight. Split the daily ration into two meals to reduce the risk of bloat, a serious stomach condition that deep-chested breeds can face.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to about 10 percent of daily calories so they do not unbalance the diet. Healthy options include small pieces of plain cooked meat or commercial training treats. Most Redbones on a complete diet do not need supplements, but a vet may suggest joint support for an aging or hard-working dog. Always provide fresh water, especially around exercise and in warm weather.

The Redbone Coonhound is a hardy working breed and typically lives 12 to 15 years. Like many large dogs, it has a few conditions worth watching for, and responsible breeders screen breeding stock to lower the risk of inherited problems. Routine veterinary care and a healthy weight go a long way toward a long, active life.

Preventive care

• Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention current, including flea, tick, and heartworm control.
• Schedule yearly veterinary check-ups, with more frequent visits for senior dogs.
• Clean and dry the ears regularly to head off infection.
• Maintain a healthy weight to protect the joints.
• Ask the breeder about hip and eye screening of the parents.

The Redbone Coonhound is smart and willing, but it has the independent streak common to scenthounds. A dog that catches an interesting scent may tune out commands, so training needs patience and consistency. Start early, keep sessions short and varied, and build a reliable recall before trusting the dog off leash. Redbones respond poorly to harsh handling and do much better with food, praise, and play as rewards. Their strong nose can be put to good use in tracking and scent-based activities, which also help burn energy and reduce nuisance baying.

Basics

1. Socialize the puppy early with people, places, dogs, and other animals.
2. Teach name response and a marker word, such as "yes," to mark correct behavior.
3. Build sit, down, and stay with short, frequent sessions.
4. Train a strong recall, starting in a fenced area and rewarding heavily.
5. Work on loose-leash walking, since a Redbone will pull toward scents.
6. Add scent or tracking games to channel the working drive.

Breeding a Redbone Coonhound should be planned with health and temperament in mind. Dogs are best bred after they are physically mature and have passed health screening, usually after one to two years of age, rather than at the first season. Hip and eye screening of both parents helps reduce inherited problems in the litter.

Pregnancy in dogs lasts about 63 days. Litters in this breed commonly fall between 6 and 10 puppies, though numbers vary with the individual female. The pregnant dam needs good nutrition, calm surroundings, and veterinary care through gestation and whelping.

Newborn puppies are blind and deaf at birth and depend fully on the mother for warmth and feeding. Eyes open at around two weeks, and weaning usually begins near four weeks. Early handling and gentle socialization from a few weeks of age help puppies grow into stable, friendly adults. Puppies generally go to new homes at about eight weeks.

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