Plate 183 · The Americas
Redbone Coonhound
红骨猎浣熊犬
“The red hound of 'Where the Red Fern Grows'.”
- Origin
- United States
- Georgia and Tennessee
- Region of origin
- Much of the breed's development took place in Georgia; the name may come from Peter Redbone of Tennessee. The marker is Georgia's reference point.
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- Late 18th–early 19th century (sources differ); UKC registration reported as 1902
- Today
- Hunting dog · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
Georgia and Tennessee
A solid-red American coonhound, fast and agile in swamp or mountain.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Treeing raccoons, and also used on bear and cougar.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Scottish immigrants brought red foxhounds to America, in the late 1700s by the AKC's account or to Georgia in the early 19th century by others; Irish foxhound and Bloodhound lines were added around 1840. Early dogs had a black saddle; breeders selected for solid red by about 1900.
04 · Today
Hunting dog · Companion
A hunting hound and family dog.
Personality
- Eager to please
- Even-tempered
- Amiable
- Vocal
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- Needs a lot of activity; on lead, since it follows its nose.
- Grooming
- Minimal: a weekly rub.
- Training
- Devoted and versatile; early socialization.
Living with one
- Size
- Large
- Lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Short, smooth, solid red coat
Field note
In popular culture the breed is best known from the 1961 children's novel 'Where the Red Fern Grows'.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- United Kennel Club
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Hound Group, recognized 2009.
Widely used as a hunting hound; the AKC calls it a great family dog. AKC registrations: ranked 146 among breeds in 2025.
Sources2 references
- Redbone Coonhound — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/redbone-coonhound/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Redbone Coonhound — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redbone_Coonhound
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · Scottish red foxhounds in Georgia, Irish foxhound and Bloodhound crosses (~1840), Peter Redbone and George Birdsong, the saddleback type, UKC 1902, the 1961 novel.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: Much of the breed's development took place in Georgia; the name may come from Peter Redbone of Tennessee. The marker is Georgia's reference point.