The Red Bone Coonhound is a lean, muscular breed. They have very thick pads on their paws which are also webbed, making them very good swimmers. Their long ears are floppy and reach almost to the tip of their nose. Their sleek short coat does not require a lot of grooming, a weekly brushing generally will suffice.
The beautiful red coat of the Red Bone Coonhound was the first breeding consideration for this working breed. The Red Bone evolved from the red foxhounds brought to the US in the 1700s by Scottish immigrants and those that arrived from Ireland prior to the Civil War. Once the coat color could be bred true, breeders then began to select for hunting skills.
This American breed is typically used when hunting bear, raccoon, and cougar. They instinctively will tree their prey. Their agility makes them a good choice for hunting in varied terrain.
Their even temperament and affectionate demeanor make them good companions and family pets. They are, however, quite large (between 50 and 70 lbs.) when fully grown making it best to train them in basic obedience early on. If not trained for hunting, a good option would be to utilize their talents and demeanor to make them into a capable watch dog.
Ellie Mae was dumped in the country by her owner. She was starving and very pregnant. I found out about her situation and rescued her. Ellie Mae ended up having 9 adorable puppies one week later. She has been such a huge blessing and we love her so much.
