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 |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
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. |
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.