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Breed Characteristics
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Redbone Coonhound
| Other Names | Redbone Hound |
| Nicknames | Reds |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | 50 - 70 lbs. (23 - 32 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 21 - 27 in. (53 - 66 cm) |
| Coat | The Red Coonhound has a smooth shiny and short coat that requires minimum care. It may be thin, but it is coarse enough that it gives them protection while hunting in the woods or shrubs. It also serves as a good insulation in all weather conditions. |
| Colour | The colours of the Redbone Coonhound are red and occasionally you may see red with a little white on the chest or legs. This dog is the only coonhound that is one solid colour. |
| Litter Size | 6 - 10 puppies |
| Life Span | 12 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | In the late 18th century, many European type hunting dogs were imported to America, most of them of Scottish, French, English, and Irish ancestry: the English Foxhound, the Harrier, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, the Welsh Hound, the beagle, and the Bloodhound were among these. Most often, these dogs were imported so that wealthy planters of the Tidewater could mimic the European gentry and engage in foxhunting, with smaller amounts of dogs winding up on small farms. However, after the American Revolution, as settlement pushed farther West and deeper South, hunters discovered they had a problem: the hounds imported from the late 18th and early 19th century British Isles and France were bred to hunt in different terrain than what was on offer in the American South. By late in the reign of George III much of the original oak forests of England, Scotland, and Ireland had long since been cut down to service the Royal Navy and many of the peat bogs were being mined for use as a source of fuel; with the exceptions of badgers, rabbits, and foxes much of the original fauna that would have inhabited these lands had become extirpated over time. The French aristocracy owned a few private reserves for themselves to hunt in, but typically their dogs could get away with having a colder nose as the amount of land to hunt on was still limited. This was in stark contrast to the American South, which included many hundreds of miles of subtropical bald cypress swamps and hardwood forest . The terrain was loaded with animals that would fight back viciously to the death, like alligators, black bears, porcupines, cougars, or raccoons. When confronted with such conditions the European breeds were almost useless since none of the aforementioned animals burrow into the ground or passively run from trouble: when confronted with prey that climbed a tree or in some cases tried to throw off their pursuers in deep, swampy water, the dogs would mill about pacing below the tree, confused. When confronted with porcupines, they would sometimes even flee when the lead dog was quilled. Over time, Southern hunters would selectively breed dogs that would not back down, had great stamina, and would "hound" their prey until they treed or cornered their exhausted quarry, leading to modern coonhounds. In the late 18th century Scottish immigrants brought with them red colored foxhounds to Georgia, dogs which would be the foundation stock of the Redbone. Later, c. 1840 Irish bred Foxhounds and Bloodhound lines were added to the mix. The name would come from an early breeder, Peter Redbone of Tennessee, though other breeders of note are Mr. Redbone's contemporary, Georgia F.L. Birdsong of Georgia, and the Dr. Thomas Henry in the 19th century. Over time, breeders followed a selective program that led to a coonhound that is more specialized for prey which climbs trees relative to European hunting dogs, was unafraid of taking on large animals, was agile enough to carry on over mountain or in meadow, and liked to swim if necessary. They were ideal for pack hunting of both small and larger prey. Originally, the Redbone had a black saddleback, but by the beginning of the 20th century, they were an uninterrupted red tone. Like many American hunting dogs, especially those from the South, they were widely known and loved by hunters and farmers, but totally unknown in the show ring. Recently, this has changed, and the Redbone has found recognition by the two major American kennel clubs. The breed was classified at the AKC Westminster show for the first time in 2011. Unfortunately, for reasons of its main use as a hunting dog rather than a show dog Redbones are extremely rare dogs outside of the United States. There are very few breeders outside of North America of this hound and it is virtually unknown in Europe or Australia. The Redbone Coonhound is also shown in books and films such as "Where the Red Fern Grows." "Where the Red Fern Grows" is a story about a young boy and his coonhounds enjoying life with the hunt. The book is found at many library's across the country and teaches a lifelong lesson about love and friendship. |
| Personality | The Redbone Coonhound is happy, even-tempered and very good with children. It can be surprisingly affectionate and has a pleasant-sounding bark. It loves being with its people. If raised indoors from puppyhood, it will adapt well to family life. Coonhounds are all instinctive hunters, and it is not difficult to train the breed to follow scent and tree a quarry. The Redbone has a strong desire to please his master. Redbones are hotter-nosed, able to locate, and faster tree coons than many other coonhounds. Like other coonhounds, the Redbone is alert, quick and able to work in all types of weather over difficult terrain. Their agility benefits them when hunting in fenced country or steep, rocky ground. With the thrusting grit of a terrier and the pumping stamina of a Husky, the Redbone is every hunter's hot-trailed dream come true. A natural treeing instinct has been bred into the Redbone, making it a specialist in coon hunting. But it is also proficient in trailing and treeing bear, cougar and bobcat. When used on game, Redbones often hunt in packs. Redbones are known to make excellent water dogs. In the home he is affectionate and kind. The Redbone should be well socialized at an early age and taught simple obedience like walking on a leash. Be careful with cats and other non-canine pets. If raised with a kitten from puppyhood they may be okay but some Redbone Coonhounds try to hunt cats down like raccoons. Some Redbone Coonhounds drool a lot, while others do not at all. It all depends on the shape of the lips. The true coonhound-shaped mouth will drool a lot. The Redbone Coonhound needs a firm, but calm, confident, consistent pack leader in order to be mentally stable. |
Care Requirements
| Health | The Redbone Coonhound is a relatively healthy dog with few Health Problems. They are sometimes prone to hip dysplasia. An x-ray of the hips will tell a prospective owner if the hips are good. They should be OFA certified as excellent or good. You can often look at the pedigree to see if there is a history of poor hips in a certain family. Elderly Redbone Coonhounds also have a tendency to get arthritis. Some are afflicted with eye diseases or disorders. A regular annual checkup at your vet is recommended to prevent any Health Problems or catch them when they start. Keeping up on their vaccinations and worming will also ensure that they look good, perform well for you and live a long healthy life. |
| Grooming | An occasional brushing will do. This breed is a light shedder. |
| Exercise | This breed needs a lot of physical exercise. They need to be taken on a daily walk or jog. Coonhounds are born natural hunters, so they have a tendency to run off and hunt if they are not kept well-fenced while exercising on their own. |
| Other Considerations | The Redbone Coonhound will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. These dogs are relatively inactive indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. Their all-weather coat allows them to live and sleep outdoors and work in all kinds of terrain. Famous Redbone Coonhounds; Where the Red Fern Grows is a story about two Coonhound dogs ("Old Dan" and "Little Ann") and their owner Billy Coleman. The book was written by Wilson Rawls in 1961, then turned into a movie in 1971. The Hound That Thought He Was a Raccoon is a story about a young Coonhound puppy raised by a family of raccoons. The film was made by Walt Disney Productions in 1960. |
