Canis lupus familiaris
Redbone Coonhound
Featured photoredbone-coonhound.jpgThe Redbone Coonhound is a medium-to-large American scenthound developed in the southern United States for night hunting of raccoon, bear, and cougar. Its rich dark red coat, pleading expression, and deep melodious voice distinguish it among the six AKC-recognised coonhound breeds. Descended from Bloodhound and Foxhound crosses, it was selectively bred for speed, a cold nose, and the distinctive bay that allows nocturnal hunters to track it. The AKC admitted it in 2009.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States
- Origin period
- 18th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Red, Dark Red
- Average lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2009 · UKC 1902
Origin
The Redbone Coonhound's foundation stock arrived in North America as red foxhounds brought by Scottish and Irish immigrants during the 18th century. American hunters in the Deep South — particularly in Georgia and Tennessee — crossed these foxhounds with Bloodhounds to improve cold-trailing ability (the capacity to follow an old or faint scent). The resulting breed was selectively fixed for a rich, dark red coat and trained to tree raccoon, opossum, and large prey such as bear and cougar. Georgia breeder Peter Redbone gave the breed his name during the 19th century.
Recognition
The United Kennel Club recognised the Redbone Coonhound in 1902, making it one of the earliest UKC-recognised coonhound breeds. For more than a century, coonhound enthusiasts resisted AKC recognition, preferring the UKC's emphasis on field performance. When attitudes shifted, the AKC admitted the Redbone to the Miscellaneous Class in 2008 and granted full Hound Group recognition in 2009. The FCI has not recognised the breed, as it is not held by a member nation's kennel club.
Standard
The AKC standard describes a well-proportioned, medium-to-large hound with a deep, broad chest, a muscular, well-arched neck, and a moderately long, level topline. The coat is short, dense, and hard — rich, dark red throughout. Minimal white markings on the chest or feet are permissible but not preferred. The breed's voice — the melodious, deep-toned bay used to signal that the quarry has been treed — is considered a functional characteristic of the highest importance in field evaluation. Males stand 56–66 cm; females 53–62 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
What AKC group does the Redbone Coonhound belong to?
The AKC places the Redbone Coonhound in the Hound Group as a scent hound. Coonhounds are a distinctly American category of scenthound developed in the southern United States for nocturnal trailing and treeing of quarry such as raccoon, opossum, and bear. The Redbone is one of six coonhound breeds recognised by the AKC.
How was the Redbone Coonhound developed?
The Redbone was developed in the southern United States — particularly Georgia and Tennessee — from red foxhounds brought by Scottish and Irish settlers in the 18th century, subsequently crossed with Bloodhounds to improve cold-trailing ability. Georgian breeder Peter Redbone played an important role in the breed's development and gave it his name. The breed was selectively fixed for its rich red coat and trained for night hunting of raccoon and large game.
When was the Redbone Coonhound recognised by the AKC?
The AKC granted full recognition to the Redbone Coonhound in 2009, placing it in the Hound Group. The breed had entered the Miscellaneous Class in 2008. The UKC had recognised it much earlier — in 1902 — as coonhound culture in the American South maintained a strong tradition of UKC-registered field competition independent of the AKC.
