Redbone Coonhound
The Redbone Coonhound is an American scenthound with a solid red coat, soft expression, long ears, and a musical bay. Its ancestry traces to red foxhounds brought by Scottish and Irish immigrants and selected in the southern United States for treeing raccoons and trailing game across hills, swamps, and farmland. A good Redbone is athletic rather than bulky, with enough nose to work an old track and enough speed to move a hot one. The breed may also be used on bear, cougar, or feral hogs where local practice allows.
In a household, a Redbone needs more than a casual walk; scent games, hunting, hiking, or other endurance work help keep it settled. It is usually sociable with people and other dogs, but recall can be unreliable once a trail is found, so leashes and fenced yards are important. The short coat needs little grooming, while ears, feet, and body condition deserve regular attention. Prospective owners should be prepared for baying, late-maturing hound independence, and the difference between show-bred, pleasure-hunting, and hard field lines.
