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AKC: Redbone Coonhound breed overview

Hound group · United States

Redbone Coonhound

Also called Redbone

An easygoing sofa companion indoors and a tireless, musical tracker the moment its nose finds a trail outside.

The Redbone Coonhound was developed in the southern United States to trail and tree raccoons, and it still has the nose, stamina and voice for the job. At home, most Redbones are mellow, affectionate and famously gentle with children. The trade-offs are a loud baying voice, a scent drive that overrides recall, and ears that need regular care.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

20 to 32 kg

44 to 70 lb

Height

53 to 69 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

12 to 15 yrs

Activity estimate

90 to 120 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a Redbone Coonhound

Two different dogs live inside every Redbone. Indoors you get a relaxed, affectionate companion who sprawls across the sofa, leans against your legs and tolerates toddlers with remarkable patience. Outdoors, once the nose locks onto a trail, you get a single-minded hunter with a voice that can carry a kilometer or more. Understanding and enjoying both sides is the key to living with this breed.

The Redbone emerged in the American South, where settlers of Scottish and Irish descent are said to have brought red foxhounds in the late 18th century. Hunters in Georgia and Tennessee bred for speed and a solid red coat, and a later dose of Bloodhound is often credited with sharpening the nose. The name is usually linked to Peter Redbone, a Tennessee enthusiast. The dogs were used mainly on raccoon but also on bear, bobcat and cougar, and their surefootedness made them valued in swamps and hills.

The breed's reputation for sweetness is well earned. Redbones are sociable with visitors, easygoing with other dogs and seldom possessive. They are also sensitive to household mood and respond poorly to harshness. The main drawbacks are vocal: a deep, melodic bay that can bother neighbors, and a habit of announcing every squirrel, cat and passing dog.

What stands out

Training

Redbones are intelligent and willing, but they were bred to make their own decisions on a trail without human instruction. Their attention drifts whenever a scent is more interesting than you, which is often. Keep sessions short and upbeat, use tasty food rewards and train in quiet places before moving to busier ones.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

families with children
active owners who hike or run
homes with other friendly dogs
people who enjoy scent work or tracking

Think twice if

loud baying that carries across the neighborhood
unreliable recall once on a scent
long ears prone to infection
counter surfing and food theft
may chase cats and small wildlife

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Redbone Coonhound eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	24 kg	1050 kcal	285 g (2.8 cups)
Female, typical pet	24 kg	1200 kcal	325 g (3.3 cups)
Male, typical pet	29 kg	1380 kcal	375 g (3.8 cups)
Male, very active	29 kg	1730 kcal	465 g (4.8 cups)

Full Redbone Coonhound feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Redbone Coonhound

FeedingAn adult of around 27 kg (60 lb) usually eats about 300 to 400 g of dry food daily, roughly 3 to 4 cups, split into two meals. Working hounds in season may need more.Read more Puppy growthRedbone puppies grow quickly and reach adult height at around 12 months, with muscle and chest filling out until 18 to 24 months. They are clumsy and gangly in adolescence, sometimes tripping over their own ears.Read more ExerciseAdults need around 60 to 90 minutes of activity daily. Long sniffing walks on a lead or long line, trailing games, hiking and jogging suit them well.Read more GroomingGrooming is simple. A rubber mitt or hound glove once a week removes loose hair and brings up the shine.Read more HealthRedbones are generally robust hounds, often living 12 to 15 years. Known concerns include hip dysplasia, ear infections linked to the long, heavy ears, obesity and eye problems such as cataracts.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Often said to descend from red foxhounds brought to the American South by Scottish and Irish settlers in the late 1700s
2The name is often credited to Peter Redbone, an early Tennessee breeder
3Surefooted enough to hunt swamps and rough mountain ground, and a strong swimmer
4Two Redbones, Old Dan and Little Ann, are the canine heroes of the novel Where the Red Fern Grows
5Joined the American Kennel Club's Hound Group in 2009

Redbone Coonhound questions

Are Redbone Coonhounds loud?

Yes. Their bay is a deep, ringing call that carries a long way, and many Redbones also bark at wildlife and passing dogs. They are rarely nuisance barkers when relaxed indoors, but they will sound off when bored or on a scent. If you live in an apartment or close to neighbors, think honestly about whether the noise will be a problem.

Can a Redbone Coonhound be off lead?

Some can in very secure areas, but relying on recall in open country is risky. Once a Redbone picks up a trail, its instinct is to follow until the quarry is found, and many owners have spent hours searching for a dog that vanished after a scent. Long lines, fenced fields and scent games give freedom without the danger of getting lost or hit by a car.

Do Redbone Coonhounds get along with cats?

Many live peacefully with a cat they were raised with, particularly if the cat is confident and doesn't run. Outdoor cats and local wildlife are another matter, because a hound bred to chase raccoons usually chases small, fast animals. Introduce a new cat slowly with the dog on a lead and give the cat high places and escape routes.

Why does my Redbone smell?

Hounds have naturally oily skin that gives off a mild, musty odor. Redbones are not extreme, but they can smell doggy, especially when wet. A strong, sour smell from the ears or skin is not normal and often points to a problem your vet should check. Weekly ear care and occasional baths keep the natural smell under control.

Are Redbone Coonhounds good with children?

They are among the most tolerant hounds with children and often become devoted to them. Their size and bounce mean a young, excited Redbone can knock over a small child in play. Teach children to stay calm around the dog and supervise play until the hound matures. Most Redbones settle into gentle, patient family dogs by around two years.

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