Redbone Coonhounds are a type of hunting dog with a friendly personality and a deep red coat. The Redbone Coonhound is a smart, loving, and loyal dog that makes a great pet for a family. When raised with children and other dogs, they are good with both. But to be happy and healthy, they also need a lot of exercise, training, and care. The Redbone Coonhound might be the right breed for you if you want a loyal and loving dog with a beautiful red coat and a lot of energy. In this complete guide, we’ll tell you all about Redbone Coonhounds, including where they came from, their temperament, and how to take care of them.
History of Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is an American hunting dog. It can follow and tree raccoons, bears, cougars, and deer because of its deep red coat. Red-colored foxhounds and bloodhounds imported by Scottish immigrants in the late 18th and early 19th centuries developed the breed. The name Redbone might come from an early breeder called Peter Redbone or the dogs’ red color.
By the end of the 19th century, coonhounds were well-established. Redbones have continued to act as excellent hunters and loyal companions. The Redbone coonhound was officially accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC) hound group in 2009, yet they’re still rare outside of North America. The Redbone Coonhound became famous through the novel Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, which tells the story of a boy and his two Redbone dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan.
The Redbone Coonhound is a loyal, courageous, and versatile hunter who can adapt to different terrains and climates. Lean and strong, it has a short, thick coat, dark eyes, floppy ears, and webbed paws. Its powerful nose can find ancient routes, and its booming voice may be heard from afar. The breed is loving, kind, and eager to please its owner. It requires exercise, mental stimulation, and interaction to be happy and healthy.
Physical Characteristics Redbone Coonhound
| Coat | The Redbone Coonhound has a short, smooth, and shiny coat that is deep red in color. The coat is easy to groom and sheds moderately. The red color may come from the name of an early breeder, Peter Redbone, or from the Irish hounds that were crossed with the foxhounds. |
| Body | The Redbone Coonhound has a lean, muscular, and well-proportioned body that is typical of the Coonhound subgroup. The body is designed to run fast, navigate difficult terrains, and respond to commands from the owner. The height of the Redbone Coonhound ranges from 21 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and the weight ranges from 45 to 70 pounds. |
| Head: | The Redbone Coonhound has a classically houndy head with a broad skull and a long muzzle. The nose is black and the eyes are brown, giving the face an expression of pleading or soulfulness. The ears are long enough to reach the nose and are set low on the head. They are floppy and hang close to the cheeks. |
| Tail | The Redbone Coonhound has a long and tapered tail that is carried high and proud when hunting or showing. The tail is sometimes docked, but this practice is discouraged by some breed clubs. |
| Feet | The Redbone Coonhound has webbed feet that help it swim and walk on wet or marshy grounds. The feet are oval-shaped and have well-arched toes and strong nails. |
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Temperament of Redbone Coonhound
Redbone Coonhounds are powerful hunting dogs with rich red coats. The loyal, friendly, and active dogs require exercise, mental stimulation, and socializing to be happy and healthy. Here are some aspects of the Coonhound’s temperament and personality:
Family-oriented
The Coonhound is friendly and loving with its family. They adore family and want to satisfy them. As lively and patient as they are, they are great with kids. Their size and enthusiasm may knock down tiny children, therefore they may not be suitable.
Even-tempered
Routine and changes in their surroundings don’t bother them. They are friendly and don’t fight with other dogs or animals. However, their hunting drive may cause them to chase or hurt smaller prey like rabbits or squirrels, so they must be supervised or trained to avoid this behavior.
Energetic
Redbone Coonhounds are energetic and need daily exercise. They’re built to hunt for extended hours and have stamina. They like hiking, swimming, running, and fetch. Their powerful nose can pick up ancient traces, and their booming voice may be heard from afar. They must be mentally stimulated and challenged to avoid boredom and destruction. They may benefit from agility, tracking, or rally dog sports.
Friendly
The Redbone Coonhounds is a very sociable and outgoing dog that likes to make friends with everyone. They are not shy or aloof and will greet strangers with enthusiasm and curiosity. Friendly and trusting, they make poor guard dogs. If given proper exercise and care, they may adapt to urban or rural areas
Curious
The Redbone Coonhound is a naturally curious dog that likes to explore and investigate everything. They have a keen sense of smell and will follow any interesting scent they find. They are also very intelligent and learn quickly with positive reinforcement. They can be stubborn and independent, so they require constant and strict instruction from the beginning. When bored or excited, they may bark loudly or howl. This can be controlled by teaching them the “quiet” command and providing them with enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Independent
The Redbone Coonhound is an independent dog that can think for itself and make its own decisions. This trait makes them excellent hunters, as they can outsmart their prey and respond to their owner’s commands. However, they don’t always listen or comply, making them difficult to train. If left alone, they may wander off or chew on objects. They require a lot of care and rules from their owner.
Caring for Your Redbone Coonhound
Redbone Coonhounds are a breed of hunting dogs that have a deep red coat and a muscular body. They are loyal, friendly, and energetic dogs that need regular exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization to be happy and healthy. Here are some tips on how to care for a Coonhound:
Exercise
Redbone Coonhounds run hard and need plenty of exercise. These dog athletes need one to two hours of daily activity, according to the American Kennel Club. Hiking, swimming, jogging, and fetch are their hobbies. Due to their intense hunting drive and great sense of scent, they must be leashed or gated outside. Dog activities like agility, tracking, and rally may help them.
Grooming
Redbone Coonhounds have a short, smooth coat that makes for easy upkeep and minimal grooming. They only need to be brushed once or twice a week to remove loose hair and dirt. They also need to have their nails trimmed regularly, their ears checked and cleaned weekly, and their teeth brushed daily. Bathing is only necessary when they get dirty or smelly.
Diet and nutrition
The Redbone Coonhound is a healthy breed and can eat any dog food. They need to be fed a high-quality commercial dog food for energetic breeds that meets AAFCO nutritional guidelines. Age, weight, exercise level and health determine the amount and frequency of feeding the dog. For this you should take dietary advice from the veterinarian. Redbone Coonhounds should always have fresh water available.
Health
Redbone Coonhounds are healthy and they can live 10-12 years. Hip dysplasia, PRA, ear infections, obesity and inflammation may be common among them. Regular veterinary checkups, vaccinations, parasite control, and spaying or neutering can prevent or manage these problems. Obesity can cause health problems, so the Coonhound’s weight and condition should be checked regularly.
Training
Redbone Coonhounds are intelligent and eager to please dogs that can learn quickly with positive reinforcement. They respond well to praise, treats, toys, and play as rewards for good behavior. They can also be stubborn and independent at times, so they need consistent and firm training from an early age. They may also have a tendency to bark or howl loudly, especially when they are bored or excited. This can be controlled by teaching them the “quiet” command and providing them with enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Socialization
Redbone Coonhounds are friendly and sociable dogs that get along well with people and other animals. They are especially good with children, as they are gentle, playful, and tolerant. However, they may chase or harm smaller pets such as cats or rabbits due to their hunting instinct. Therefore, they need to be socialized from an early age with different people, animals, sights, sounds, and situations. This will help them become well-adjusted and confident dogs that can cope with various environments.
Common Health Problems Redbone Coonhound
Redbone coonhounds are healthy usually. Hunting may cause running injuries to the breed. Breeders that follow the AKC breed standard and screen for health issues avoid passing on diseases. However, breeds may have genetic health issues. Here are two points to keep an eye out for in a Redbone:
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections (otitis)
FAQs
Q. Is a Redbone Coonhound a good family dog?
If well-trained, socialized, and exercised, a Redbone Coonhound may make a good family dog. A loyal, loving, and affectionate dog, the Redbone Coonhound adores its family.
Q. What is the Redbone Coonhound lifespan?
Redbone Coonhounds lives for about 10-12 years.
Q. Do Redbone Coonhounds bark a lot?
Yes, Redbone Coonhounds are known to bark a lot for various reasons. They are a breed of hunting dogs that have a strong nose, a loud voice, and a high energy level.
Q. How Much Should You Feed a Redbone Coonhound?
An adult Redbone Coonhound should eat about 2–2.5 cups of high-quality dry dog food every day, but this can change.
Q. Can Redbone Coonhounds live with cats?
Some Redbone Coonhounds are calm and friendly with cats, particularly if raised with them. They are energetic, loyal, and loving dogs who connect with family and other pets. However, certain Redbone Coonhounds may have a high prey drive and be drawn to pursue or injure cats, particularly if they have hunted or attacked them before.
Q. Are Coonhounds kid friendly?
Coonhounds are loyal, loving, and fun with kids. They are high-energy, headstrong, and independent dogs who require plenty of exercise, training, and socializing to be happy and healthy. Due to their size and activity, they may knock down young kids.
Q. What is the smallest coonhound?
The new hybrid Mini Coonhound is the tiniest coonhound. The Mini Coonhound is a mix of shorthaired Chihuahua, Italian Greyhound, Rat Terrier, Beagle, and Min Pin.
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