Redbone Coonhound Dog Breed Guide: Info, Pictures, Care & More!

The Redbone Coonhound was developed from Bloodhounds and Irish Foxhounds by Scottish and Irish immigrants to America in the late 1700s. The settlers were looking for an even faster hound dog that would have the ability to tree raccoons.

Breed Overview

Redbone Coonhounds are medium to large-sized hounds with the typical dropping hound ears and adorable pleading expressions. They are muscular yet slender dogs that are quite agile with their movements, and they have long slim tails. They also have short, smooth coats and are famous for their deep red color with occasional white markings.

Redbone Coonhound Characteristics

Redbone Coonhound Puppies

Redbone Coonhounds are social dogs that tend to be friendly, but they can act like watchdogs too. They are an energetic breed that is healthy and has a good lifespan for their size. Training can be a challenge, though, thanks to the usual hound dog stubbornness.

In addition to taking your puppy home, you will also need to purchase a few items in preparation for your new family member.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Redbone Coonhound

Redbone Coonhounds are gentle and laidback dogs with a strong sense of loyalty. They are affectionate and are generally friendly with everyone they meet. That said, they take their watchdog duty quite seriously.

Redbones are smart dogs that might sometimes seem a little silly, but that is probably because of their stubbornness and distractibility. Their activity level and the amount of barking that they do make them a better fit for a house with a yard, particularly in the country.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

Redbones make wonderful family dogs! They get along with all people and children and can make fantastic playmates for children of all ages. Just take the time to teach your children to treat all dogs with respect. Dogs should never have to endure ear or tail pulling or be ridden like a horse, no matter how patient they seem.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Redbones do get along with all kinds of pets, particularly if they are socialized with them. Redbones get along well with other dogs, but they might see smaller animals as prey and give chase. If you have cats, the Redbone will usually only do fine with them if they were raised together.

Things to Know When Owning a Redbone Coonhound

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Redbone Coonhounds should be fed high-quality dog food designed for their current age, activity level, and size. How much you feed them also depends on these factors. You can use the guidelines on the dog food bag to help you to figure out how much to feed them. You can also speak to your vet if you have any questions or concerns about your Redbone’s diet.

Exercise 🐕

Redbones need quite a bit of exercise. They are highly active dogs when outside (they can be quite calm when indoors) and will need long daily walks. They will also enjoy running, swimming, and hunting. They should always be on a leash because of their high prey drive and are happiest when they have something to do.

Training 🎾

Training can be a bit of a challenge. Like most hound dogs, they are easily distracted and can be rather stubborn. They are also loving and loyal and will take to training well. Just ensure that the training sessions are short and interesting, and give them plenty of positive feedback.

Grooming ✂️

Grooming the Redbone is easy because they have short coats, but like any hound dog, they shed excessively, so you’ll want to brush them with a grooming mitt or shedding tool at least once a week. Bathe them about once a month with a good dog shampoo or only when necessary.

Trim your Redbone’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks, brush their teeth about two to three times a week, and clean and check their long floppy ears at least once a week.

Health and Conditions 🏥

Redbone Coonhounds are overall healthy dogs. But like most purebred dogs, they are prone to certain health conditions.

Male vs. Female

Female Redbone Coonhounds tend to be a little smaller than the males. They stand at 21 to 26 inches in height, while the males are 22 to 27 inches.

When you’re considering surgery for your Redbone, a female needs to be spayed, which is a more complicated operation than neutering. It also costs more and she’ll have a longer recovery time.

Some people believe that in general, female dogs tend to be easier to train but are not quite as cuddly as males, but this is debatable. What truly determines a dog’s personality is how they were trained and socialized as puppies and how they are treated throughout their lives.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Redbone Coonhound

1. The Redbone is also known as the “Saddleback”

In the early days of the development of the Redbone, they were initially called “Saddlebacks” because they had a black saddle-like marking on their backs. The marking was eventually bred out to the all-over red that we see today.

2. The Redbone gets their name from an early breeder

Early breeders were F.L. Birdsong from Georgia and Peter Redbone from Tennessee around 1840. They were looking for a breed that would not be afraid of the larger animals that they were hunting. We can only assume that due to the dogs’ deep red coloring, the name “Redbone” was the best fit.

3. The Redbone Coonhound has a “cold nose”

They are known to be “cold-nosed” dogs, which essentially means they are good at following an old trail or one that’s “gone cold.”

Final Thoughts

When you start looking for one of these dogs, check for breeders in your area. If you don’t have any luck there, try contacting other Redbone breeders and ask for help finding one of these puppies. Some breeders also ship. Consider posting your interest in a Redbone on social media, where someone will likely know of available puppies.

If you want to look into adoption, check your local animal shelter and rescue groups. There are also breed-specific rescues scattered around the world, like the Redbone Coonhound Rescue.

If you don’t mind barking and howling at the best of times and you are planning on taking your dog on plenty of hikes and walks, the Redbone Coonhound might just be the perfect breed for you.

• See also: Vizsla vs. Redbone Coonhound: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Cindy Underwood, Shutterstock