Appearance

The Redbone Coonhound is a robust dog. The body is lean with a deep chest, well sprung ribs, a slightly sloping topline, long straight legs and a long tail held upright. The head is flat with a square muzzle, large open nostrils, pendulous ears, and dark pleading eyes. The coat is short and smooth, and the coloring tends to be red, sometimes with a little white.

History

In the late 18th century, Scottish immigrants brought red foxhounds to America. Sometime after the Civil War, hunters mixed these canines with Red Irish Foxhounds (and possibly Bloodhounds) to create the leaner, faster Redbone Coonhound. Redbone Coonhounds proved to be exemplary helpers, moving quickly over rough terrain, through forests, lakes and rivers.