Redbone Coonhound Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Traits & More

The Redbone Coonhound is an American purebred that was developed to hunt raccoons in the early days of American colonial expansion. They like to relax during the day but become a tireless hunter at night. This sure-footed dog can move quickly through many types of terrain.

Breed Overview

The Redbone Coonhound has a red or red and white coat, and their height is in proportion to their length. They have dark brown or hazel eyes set far apart. Their floppy ears are set low on the head and can almost reach the nose if stretched out. Their nose is black with large open nostrils.

Redbone Coonhound Characteristics

Redbone Coonhound Puppies

When you're looking for a Redbone Coonhound puppy, take your time to find a reputable and ethical breeder. Quality breeders take their work seriously and may do extra testing to make sure you get a dog free of defects, which helps everyone and preserves the breeder’s high standards. Breeders who won’t discuss such things have something to hide, and it’s best to look elsewhere. A quick search of the internet can tell you all of the breeders in your area, and there will often be reviews or a comment section that can give you some insight into what type of breeder they are.

When you bring a Redbone Coonhound home, be ready to have a loyal and affectionate dog by your side. They're an excellent choice for families, and they'll need plenty of space to run around in to burn their energy off.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Redbone Coonhound 🧠

The Redbone Coonhound is an even-tempered and relaxed dog at home during the day. They get much livelier at night and become a perfect watchdog. They like to please their family members and will usually play games, go for walks, or learn new tricks without too much encouragement. They will chase small animals like squirrels and rabbits that run through the yard, and we recommend early socialization if you have other pets.

The Redbone Coonhound is smart enough to learn several tricks, and you can also train them to do small tasks around the home.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Redbone Coonhound makes a great family dog because they mostly lounge around all day, hanging out with family members. They're not necessarily a lap dog, but you will often find them at your feet watching TV or watching you watch TV. At night, they become more alert and make a great watchdog that only barks when they need to or if they see a raccoon. They're cautious around strangers but not aggressive.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Early socialization is the best way to keep all pets in harmony, as the Redbone Coonhound has generations of breeding telling them to chase small animals into the nearest tree. They will often chase cats, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and even birds. With proper training, you can get them to leave the cats alone, and they usually don’t bother other dogs, but it will be hard to stop them from chasing animals in the yard.

Things to Know When Owning a Redbone Coonhound

These are some of the more important things to consider before you purchase a Redbone Coonhound.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Redbone Coonhound is a medium-sized dog with a healthy appetite. They will require high-quality dog food with whole meat listed as the first ingredient and no artificial dyes or preservatives. We recommend foods fortified with antioxidants, omega fats, and other helpful ingredients, but you should consult your vet before using a specialized food like a grain-free, puppy, or senior dog food.

Always follow the feeding instructions on the package so you don’t overfeed, which can lead to obesity. We also recommend spreading the food out over several meals so you don’t overload their digestive system. More small meals also lessen the chance that a dangerous condition known as bloat will occur. Bloat is when your dog’s stomach fills with air, usually because they eat too fast, which can lead to a life-threatening situation.

Exercise 🐕

The Redbone Coonhound is energetic and requires a moderate amount of exercise. They make a fantastic running companion and will even run along with a bike. They also enjoy long hikes and are surefooted enough to climb in most terrains. Fetch and catch are also great ways to burn off excess energy and help keep your pet healthy and happy.

Training 🦮

The Redbone Coonhound is an intelligent dog that is easy to train and rarely becomes stubborn during training sessions. We recommend early socialization to help them get along better with pets and to cut down on how aggressively they chase yard animals. Puppy classes can be even more effective, and many times, these classes can help you as well by showing you tips and tricks you may not have discovered on your own.

If you intend to train the dog yourself, we recommend a positive reinforcement training style, which means lots of praise and treats. Holding your training sessions at the same time every day is also essential to help your dog get into a routine for maximum effectiveness.

Grooming ✂️

The Redbone Coonhound requires a minimum amount of grooming, and you will only need to use a grooming mitt or brush once a week to keep shedding to a minimum. This action will also help to distribute natural oils more evenly over the hair, leading to a softer, shinier coat.

Your Redbone Coonhound will also need their nails trimmed every few weeks. Well-groomed nails will make it easier for your pet to walk and will reduce scratched and torn furniture. You’ll know it’s time to trim the nails when you can hear them clicking as your dog walks.

Health Conditions ❤️

The Redbone Coonhound is a healthy dog that usually doesn’t suffer from too many ailments, especially for a purebred dog. However, there are still a few conditions that tend to affect the Redbone Coonhound, and we’ll look at them here.

Male vs Female

The male and female Redbone Coonhound are very similar in temperament, but the males are slightly larger.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Redbone Coonhound

1. They existed before the Civil War.

The Redbone Coonhound descends from the Red Foxhounds brought to America before the Civil War.

2. They have a superb hunting game.

Redone Coonhounds hunt by “treeing” game, which means they chase raccoons and other game into trees where hunters can easily snag them.

3. They are favored for their gorgeous looks.

Some breeders bred the Redbone Coonhounds for looks over hunting skills, which is why they have such a striking red color.

Conclusion

The Redbone Coonhound is a good all-around dog that’s relaxed during the day and keeps watch over the house at night. They have very few health problems and require very little grooming. A puppy school may help prevent them from chasing animals around the yard, and they are never aggressive.

See Also:

• American English Coonhound Breed Info, Pics, Traits & Facts

• Treeing Walker Coonhound Breed Info, Pics, Traits, Facts

Featured Image: Crystal Alba, Shutterstock