Redbone Coonhound Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: United States
The Redbone Coonhound is a scenthound bred in the United States primarily for tracking and treeing raccoons, bears, and other game across varied terrain. It is known for its striking deep red coat, melodious bay, and affectionate nature with family.
| Breed | Redbone Coonhound |
| Size | Large (45–70 lbs) |
| Height | 22–27 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Affectionate, Loyal, Eager to Please |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Low Maintenance |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Redbone Coonhound Overview
The Redbone Coonhound is a versatile, athletic hound that thrives in active households where it receives plenty of outdoor exercise and mental stimulation. Its warm, affectionate personality makes it a loving companion, but its powerful prey drive and tendency to follow a scent require a securely fenced yard and experienced handling. This breed bonds strongly with its family and generally gets along well with children and other dogs when properly socialized from an early age.
📜 History & Origin
The Redbone Coonhound traces its roots to the late 18th century in the American South, developed from Foxhounds brought by Scottish and Irish settlers and later crossed with Bloodhounds to enhance trailing ability. The breed takes its name partly from early breeder Peter Redbone of Tennessee, though regional hunters across Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas all shaped its development. The AKC recognized the Redbone Coonhound in 2009 as part of the Hound Group, cementing its status as a distinct American breed.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 45–70 lbs (20–32 kg)
- Height: 22–27 inches (56–69 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 45–65 lbs
- Height: 21–26 inches
Coat type: Short, dense, and coarse outer coat with a softer undercoat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Redbone Coonhounds are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Redbone Coonhounds are high-energy dogs that require at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Redbone Coonhound)
- Daily amount: 2.5 to 3.5 cups of high-quality dry food split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Redbone Coonhound lifespan is 12–15 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active Outdoor Families
- Hunters and Sportsmen
- Rural or Suburban Homeowners with Large Yards
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- Apartment Dwellers
- First-Time Dog Owners
- Owners Who Are Away for Long Hours Daily
- Requires significant daily exercise
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Redbone Coonhound vs Other Breeds
✅ Redbone Coonhound wins at
The Redbone Coonhound tends to be warmer and more affectionate with family members, making it a better choice as a dual-purpose hunting companion and household pet.
✅ Bluetick Coonhound wins at
The Bluetick Coonhound is generally considered a more cold-nosed tracker with superior ability to work older, colder trails in challenging terrain.
✅ Redbone Coonhound wins at
The Redbone Coonhound is typically more eager and energetic on the trail, and its striking red coat makes it highly distinctive and visually appealing.
✅ Black And Tan Coonhound wins at
The Black and Tan Coonhound is often calmer indoors and may be slightly easier to manage for owners new to scenthounds.
🏠 Who Should Own a Redbone Coonhound?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active Outdoor Families
- Hunters and Sportsmen
- Rural or Suburban Homeowners with Large Yards
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Apartment Dwellers
- First-Time Dog Owners
- Owners Who Are Away for Long Hours Daily
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Redbone Coonhound good for families?
The Redbone Coonhound is an affectionate and loyal breed that generally does very well with families, including children of all ages when raised together from puppyhood. Its playful energy and gentle disposition make it a patient and devoted companion around kids, though its large size means young toddlers should always be supervised during interactions. Socialization from an early age helps ensure it coexists peacefully with other household pets as well.
How much does a Redbone Coonhound puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Redbone Coonhound puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 800 and 1,500 GBP, though the breed is relatively rare and availability may be limited. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 40,000 to 90,000 PKR depending on the breeder and lineage. In India, expect to pay approximately 30,000 to 70,000 INR from an established breeder, with imported or pedigreed stock commanding higher prices.
Is Redbone Coonhound easy to train?
The Redbone Coonhound is intelligent and eager to please, but its strong prey drive and independent scenthound instincts can make consistent obedience training a challenge, especially for first-time owners. Positive reinforcement methods work best, and training sessions should be kept short, engaging, and reward-based to hold the dog's attention. Early socialization and puppy classes are strongly recommended to build a reliable foundation.
What food is best for a Redbone Coonhound?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for large, active breeds is the best foundation for a Redbone Coonhound's diet, providing the protein and fat levels needed to support its athletic build. Feeding should be divided into two meals per day totaling roughly 2.5 to 3.5 cups depending on the dog's age, weight, and activity level, to help reduce the risk of bloat. Because this breed is prone to weight gain, portion control and avoiding excessive treats are important parts of long-term health management.
Does Redbone Coonhound bark a lot?
Yes, the Redbone Coonhound is a vocal breed known for its loud, melodious bay that was specifically developed to alert hunters when game was treed. This tendency to vocalize means the breed is not well suited to close-quarters living or noise-sensitive neighborhoods without proper training and management.
Can a Redbone Coonhound live in an apartment?
The Redbone Coonhound is not well suited to apartment living due to its high energy levels, need for extensive daily exercise, and tendency to bay loudly, which can disturb neighbors. This breed performs best in a home with a large, securely fenced yard where it can run and explore safely.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Redbone Coonhound is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and low maintenance grooming requirements, the Redbone Coonhound is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Redbone Coonhound will reward you with years of loyal companionship.