Redbone Coonhound

• Bathing: Bathe them once a week if they’re super active. These pups tend to have an oily coat and a slightly musty odor, and frequent bathing can help. If they’re less active, a bath every few weeks should suffice.  
• Brushing: These pups have a short coat and shed moderately, so you’ll need to brush them once a week. Try a curry brush and a bristle brush for best results.  
• Dental care: Help keep your Redbone’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a puppy, so they get used to the experience. Get a professional cleaning at your vet when recommended. 
• Ear care: Check their ears at least weekly. If there’s redness, swelling, debris, or an odor, your pup may have an ear infection that needs meds. Talk to your vet about how to clean your dog’s ears if they’re prone to irritation or infections.  
• Nail care: Redbone Coonhounds need their nails trimmed once a month. If nails get too long, it can make it painful to walk. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear the nails tapping on hard surfaces. 

The Redbone breed is an intelligent dog who is eager to please you, but they’re just as eager to chase whatever interesting scent they’re picking up.  

It’s important to start training your Redbone Coonhound puppy while they’re young to help curtail those instincts, though they’ll never quite go away. If you adopt them as an adult, start then—it’s never too late.  

Basic obedience training teaches your puppy commands like sit, stay and come, and how to walk nicely on a leash. Once fully grown, these dogs are strong, and they’ll take you for a walk (a run, actually) if they aren’t properly trained and take off after a squirrel. 

To keep your pup’s attention, keep your sessions to 10–15 minutes, and reward them with positive reinforcement—think treats, praise, and toys—when they do a good job. A Redbone Coonhound needs a confident, calm pet parent who understands that patience is key. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Redbone Coonhound puppy or adult dog, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your canine kiddo’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).  

Redbones will benefit from a large-breed dog food, especially as a young, growing puppy, to help prevent developmental disorders like hip dysplasia and panosteitis. 

Supplements or treats containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and fish oils can also help protect their joint health as they age. Ask your veterinarian if your dog would benefit from these supplements.  

It’s often smart to use a slow feeder with Redbone Coonhounds and feed your dog smaller meals throughout the day to avoid a serious health condition called bloat. Keeping their food bowls on the ground (don’t elevate them), and restricting exercise for two hours after meals can also help reduce the odds of bloat. 

Redbone Coonhounds are high-energy dogs who love to have a good time—and who can blame them? They’re active, sporty souls who love nothing more than running, hiking, and swimming. And as their pet parent and bestie, it’s your job to make sure they have an outlet for all that energy.  

You’ll need to give them a chance to run around the yard or at the dog park, in addition to regular walks, jogs, or hikes with you. One hour of exercise every day is the minimum, but you could do more if you have the time and energy yourself; two hours is even better.   

If these pups don’t get enough exercise and become bored, they’ll likely let you know.  

A dog sport like agility is a great option, too. They usually love the water, but always let them initiate going in so you can be sure they enjoy it. If your Coonhound does love swimming, dock diving is a fun exercise that will keep them entertained. 

Because these fast pups will take off running any time they catch an intriguing scent, it’s best to always have them on a leash or in a safely fenced enclosure.  

A Redbone Coonhound is a great fit for active and experienced pet parents who enjoy activities like running and hiking. They do best with a spacious, fenced yard so that they can be off-leash and release all that energy every day.  

They are known for being escape artists, however, so keep a close eye on them. A GPS tracker can be helpful in case your four-legged Houdini gets out of your backyard; they should also be microchipped.  

This breed loves children, but if you have small kids, you’ll want to supervise their playtime together; Redbone Coonhounds are adorably bouncy and could unintentionally knock over small children.  

Redbone Coonhounds have an impressive howl and like to use it. Coupled with their size and need to run, this makes them prime contenders for larger spaces, like a house in the suburbs with distant (or tolerant) neighbors.  

These pups usually get along well with other dogs, especially those who can match their energy level, but they might be prone to chasing cats and smaller animals.