Redbone Coonhound
紅骨獵浣熊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Redbone Coonhound is one of the six American coonhounds — a sleek, solid-red hound that looks carved from mahogany, bred by settlers to tree raccoons over punishing terrain, and, despite the porch-dog stereotype, among dogdom's most tireless and tenacious pursuers on a night hunt. Redbones are eager to please, even-tempered and amiable: devoted, loving and loyal family dogs, good with children and other dogs, versatile enough for coonhound trials and agility, and easy to keep in a short coat. They are athletes for runners, cyclists and hikers, need a lot of activity, have a strong instinct to follow their nose after prey and should never be off leash in an uncontrolled situation.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 53–69cm |
| Weight | 20–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Ear infections
The AKC says a Redbone's long ears should be checked regularly for signs of infection and cleaned of excess wax and debris weekly. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Behaviour
Even-tempered at home, tireless on the trail
The AKC calls Redbones eager to please, even-tempered and amiable — devoted companions, very loving and loyal, and above all great family dogs, versatile enough for coonhound trials and agility; its trait chart scores affection, children and other dogs 5/5. It notes that coonhounds are portrayed as lazy porch dogs, but anyone who has been on a night hunt knows they are among dogdom's most tireless and tenacious pursuers. The parent club says the Redbone is even-tempered at home but an aggressive hunter, a good family dog that likes to please and is amenable to formal training.
Follows its nose — never off leash
The AKC calls the Redbone a friendly, energetic canine athlete and a wonderful companion for an active runner, cyclist or hiker, needing a lot of physical activity to stay healthy and happy, with a very strong instinct to follow its nose and go off after prey — so it should never be allowed off leash in an uncontrolled situation; its trait chart scores barking 4/5. The short, smooth coat needs only a weekly going-over with a shedding tool or grooming mitt.
Temperament
The AKC summarises the breed's temperament as "eager to please / even-tempered / amiable".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Redbone Coonhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'About the Breed' page describes a dog that is even-tempered at home but an aggressive hunter — a good family dog that likes to please and is amenable to formal training — well-balanced and adaptable to many kinds of hunting and terrain, agile enough for fenced country or steep, rocky ground, an excellent water dog, with a short, smooth coat coarse enough to protect it and a 'sweet voice' on the trail. It says most breeders regard the Redbone as an extremely healthy breed and that the club requires no specific health testing for membership.”
— National Redbone Coonhound Club — About the Breed via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Redbone Coonhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]About the Breed — National Redbone Coonhound Club — National Redbone Coonhound Club (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.