Apartment fit
The Redbone Coonhound is usually a poor apartment fit because of hound voice and exercise needs.
HoundMedium to Large
United States
United StatesRedbone Coonhound
Weight
45-70 lb
Height
21-27 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Redbone Coonhound is an American scenthound with a short solid-red coat, a musical hound voice, and an even home temperament paired with serious hunting drive.
American trailing and treeing coonhoundShort solid-red coat is the breed hallmarkEven-tempered at home but serious in the fieldNeeds scent work, exercise, and voice management
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
No widely used alternate names are recorded for this breed.
Even-TemperedAffectionateDeterminedScent-DrivenEnergeticVocal
Weight
45-70 lb
Height
21-27 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Redbone Coonhound was developed in the United States from red foxhound-type ancestry into a trailing and treeing hound. The breed is known for its rich red coat, endurance, and clear hound voice while working raccoon and other game.
The AKC standard describes a medium-to-large hound with a short smooth coat and solid red preferred, with only small white markings allowed on chest or feet. At home, Redbones are often affectionate and even-tempered, but outdoors they remain scent-driven hunters.
A Redbone is best for owners who can handle hound noise, secure fencing, and daily scent-based exercise. It can be a warm family dog, but it is not a quiet apartment companion or a dog to trust off leash around wildlife.
Temperament & Personality
Even-TemperedAffectionateDeterminedScent-DrivenEnergeticVocal
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a even-tempered, affectionate, determined companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Solid Red, Red With Small White Markings
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers4/5
Apartment Friendly1/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active hound owners
- homes with secure fencing
- people interested in tracking or hunting-style work
- families comfortable with hound voice
Not ideal for
- quiet apartments
- owners wanting reliable off-leash freedom
- low-exercise homes
- people who dislike baying
Common challenges
- baying and alert barking
- following scent
- ear care after outdoor work
- restlessness without enough activity
Barking & behavior
Expect baying and vocal excitement. Give the dog scent outlets and teach quiet routines early.
Training style
Use rewards, patience, and management. Hound training should respect scent motivation.
Grooming & shedding
The coat is low effort, but ears and feet need checks after outdoor work.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Redbone Coonhounds need 60 to 90 minutes of daily activity, with scent walks, tracking games, hiking, or hunting-style work. Secure fencing and leash control are important around wildlife.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to brush weekly. Check ears, feet, nails, and skin after woods, water, or tall grass.
Training
Use patient hound training with meaningful rewards. Recall, quiet cues, leash manners, and settling should be practiced early, but scent can override obedience outdoors.
Nutrition
Feed measured portions for an active hound and keep the dog lean. Adjust calories around hunting seasons or quieter periods.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEar infectionsEye diseaseBloat risk in deep-chested dogsObesity if under-exercised
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Redbone Coonhound bark a lot?
Yes. Redbones are hounds with a strong voice, especially when excited or working scent.
Is the Redbone Coonhound good for apartments?
Usually no. Voice, exercise needs, and scent drive make apartment life difficult for most owners.
What color is a Redbone Coonhound?
Solid red is preferred. Small white markings on the chest or feet may occur.
How much exercise does a Redbone Coonhound need?
Most need 60 to 90 minutes daily, ideally with scent work or long outdoor activity.
Is the Redbone Coonhound good with families?
It can be affectionate and even-tempered with family when exercised, trained, and managed around scent and noise.
Can a Redbone Coonhound be off leash?
Only in secure areas. A fresh trail can pull a Redbone away quickly.
What is the biggest challenge of owning a Redbone Coonhound?
The biggest challenge is managing hound voice and scent drive while providing enough outdoor work.
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