Redbone Coonhound
A flame-red hound with a moonlight voice — the South's sweetest night hunter.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 53–69 cm |
| Weight | 20–32 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Energy | High — 60+ min/day |
| Shedding | Low–moderate |
| Coat | Short, sleek · solid red |
| Group | Hound · AKC |
| Origin | American South, United States |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
The Redbone Coonhound by the numbers
The Redbone Coonhound facts owners search for most — price, lifespan, weight, shedding and colours, in one place.
Widely bred, so you can usually find a litter from a registered breeder without a long wait. Ongoing costs run high — more food, bigger doses at the vet, and pricier insurance.
We don't quote a single figure: the real price swings with breeder, region, bloodline and health testing — and a rescue costs a fraction of a breeder's litter. Adopting is almost always the cheapest route.
Temperament
Bred in the American South to trail raccoon through swamp and briar all night, the Redbone pairs a relentless, independent nose with one of dogdom's gentlest household temperaments. Home life reveals an affectionate, easy-going companion who adores children — until a scent crosses the garden, at which point you become background noise.
Habits & quirks
The front-porch flop
Between adventures, a Redbone sprawls with a stillness that borders on furniture.
Song of the ancestors
That deep, musical bay carries for miles — and the Redbone knows it.
Nose-first navigation
Walks happen at ground level; the world is read one sniff at a time.
The gentle lean
Twenty-five kilos of hound resting its weight against your legs is a declaration of love.
Care
| Exercise | An hour or more daily — long sniffing walks, tracking games and jogging suit it perfectly. |
| Containment | Never trust it off lead near open country; a hot scent trumps every recall. Fences must be sound. |
| Training | Patient, food-driven repetition works; expect independence, not defiance, when the nose engages. |
| Grooming | A weekly once-over with a hound glove and regular ear checks — those long ears trap moisture. |
Life expectancy
This breed has a typical life expectancy of 12–15 years.
Similar breeds
Breeds with a similar build and background — worth a look if this one isn't quite the fit.
Breeds that look like this
Common questions
Are Redbone Coonhounds good family dogs?
Yes — they're famously gentle, patient and affectionate at home. They just also need real daily exercise and tolerance for houndy vocals.
Do Redbone Coonhounds bark a lot?
They don't chatter, but they do bay — a deep, carrying song when excited or on a scent. Close-packed housing with thin walls is a poor match.
Can a Redbone Coonhound be let off lead?
Rarely and only in enclosed spaces. Once committed to a trail, a Redbone can follow it for miles, deaf to everything behind it.
Does the Redbone Coonhound shed a lot?
Moderately. The Redbone Coonhound sheds a fair amount, steadily through the year with heavier seasonal patches. A weekly brush keeps most of the loose hair off your floors and clothes.
Is the Redbone Coonhound hypoallergenic?
Not really. No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and the Redbone Coonhound's shedding coat releases plenty of the dander that sets off allergies. If someone at home is allergic, this isn't the easiest breed to live with — spend time around one first.
Is the Redbone Coonhound easy to train?
Reasonably. The Redbone Coonhound is trainable with consistency and rewards, though it isn't the quickest study. Keep sessions short and positive, and be patient with the basics like recall.