Redbone Coonhound Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Redbone Coonhound

A female Redbone Coonhound

Common nicknames

Reds

Origin

Traits
Weight	45 to 70 lb (20 to 32 kg)
Height	21 to 27 inches
Coat	Short and dense
Color	Solid red, although small amount of white is allowed on feet or chest

Classification / standards
AKC	Hound	standard
UKC	Scenthounds	standard

Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Redbone Coonhound is a special type of dog from the southern United States. People use them for hunting animals like raccoons, deer, bears, and cougars. The American Kennel Club says Redbones are good-looking, calm, confident, and great at hunting.

This breed has been officially recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1902. Later, in 2009, the American Kennel Club also recognized them. You might know the Redbone from the famous book Where the Red Fern Grows, where a Redbone Coonhound is a main character.

What Does a Redbone Coonhound Look Like?
- Their Body and Size
- Their Coat and Color
Redbone Coonhound Personality
Images for kids
See also

What Does a Redbone Coonhound Look Like?

A male Redbone Coonhound treeing an animal. This means they've chased it up a tree!

Their Body and Size

Redbone Coonhounds are strong and athletic dogs. They have a lean, muscular body that is well-balanced. Like other coonhounds, they have long, straight legs and a deep chest. They hold their heads and tails high, showing off their proud posture.

Their eyes are usually dark brown, and their face often has a sweet, "pleading" look. Their nose is typically black and stands out. Redbones have floppy ears that can reach almost to the end of their nose if stretched out.

Their Coat and Color

The Redbone Coonhound's coat is short and smooth. It's also tough enough to protect them when they run through thick bushes while hunting. Their large paws have thick pads and webbed toes, which helps them move easily, especially in water.

The most famous thing about them is their color: they are always a rich, solid red! Sometimes, you might see a small amount of white on their chest, between their legs, or on their feet. This white marking might be a leftover trait from when Bloodhounds and Foxhounds were mixed into their family tree long ago. Some Redbones also have black fur on their face or muzzle.

Male Redbones are usually 22 to 27 inches (56 to 68.5 cm) tall at the shoulder. Females are a bit shorter, from 21 to 26 inches (53 to 66 cm). Their weight should match their size and bone structure, usually between 45 to 70 pounds (20.5 to 31.75 kg).

Redbone Coonhound Personality

Their Temperament

Redbone Coonhounds are known for being loving, gentle, and eager to please their owners. They are very loyal companions.

Being Vocal Hounds

As hounds, Redbones are quite vocal. They are famous for their unique, long, drawn-out bark, called a "bay." Hunters listen for this sound to follow the dogs when they are tracking animals. It takes training to help them control their loud, excited barks.

When a Redbone Coonhound has an animal "treed" (chased up a tree) or cornered, they make a special baying sound. This specific bay is different from their everyday barks and helps hunters know exactly what's happening.

A young Redbone Coonhound playing in the snow.

Redbone Coonhounds were originally bred to be hunting dogs.

Growing Up and Training

Redbones grow up slower than many other dog breeds. They don't fully mature physically and mentally until they are about two years old. Like all young dogs, puppies and teenagers have lots of energy. If they don't get enough activity, they might get into trouble, like chewing furniture or digging through the trash.

When training a Redbone, it's important to be gentle. They can be stubborn but are also sensitive. Being too harsh can scare them. Once they are trained and understand their size, they are very gentle and can be trusted around children. They even love to jump into swimming pools and play with older kids! They are great swimmers, similar to Labrador Retrievers.

Hunting Instincts and Exercise

Coonhounds belong to a group of dogs that includes Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Bloodhounds. They are bred to track game using their excellent sense of smell and sight over long distances. They also naturally bark loudly to let hunters know where they are when they find their prey.

Because of these strong instincts, Redbones love to chase small animals like rabbits, squirrels, or even cats. If you have a Redbone, you'll need a tall fence to keep them from wandering off.

Hunting dogs need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Redbones are best suited for living in the countryside or suburbs. City life can work, but they will need at least an hour and a half of walking every day.

Redbones are smart and good at solving problems. This can be a challenge if the problem they want to solve is how to get over your backyard fence or into the "dog-proof" garbage can! Most Redbones need to be on a leash when out walking to prevent them from following an interesting scent and wandering away. When hunting, they might make quarter-mile loops away from the group to find a scent before returning or barking to call the others. Their strong desire to follow scents means they might ignore commands if their nose leads them somewhere exciting.