Redbone Coonhound vs Bloodhound: The Redbone Bloodhound Mix Guide

If you've ever watched a Redbone Coonhound and a Bloodhound work a scent trail, you know you're witnessing two of the most driven noses in the canine world. The Redbone Bloodhound mix — a designer cross between the Redbone Coonhound and the Bloodhound — inherits the best (and most challenging) traits of both parent breeds. This is not a casual couch companion. This is a large, vocal, scent-obsessed hound that needs an owner who understands what makes a scenthound tick.

Before you bring one home, here's what you actually need to know — from realistic size projections to the health conditions this cross is predisposed to, and the real costs of keeping a 90-pound hound healthy and happy.

What Is a Redbone Bloodhound Mix?

The Redbone Bloodhound is a first-generation (F1) designer cross, not a recognized breed by the AKC or UKC. It results from breeding a purebred Redbone Coonhound with a purebred Bloodhound. Because both parent breeds are large scenthounds originally developed for tracking game across rugged Southern terrain, the offspring tend to be remarkably consistent in type — though individual puppies can lean more toward one parent than the other.

The Redbone Coonhound was developed in the American South during the 18th and 19th centuries, with formal recognition by the UKC in 1904 and the AKC in 2009. Bloodhounds trace their lineage to medieval Belgian monasteries (the St. Hubert Hound) and were refined in England and France for human tracking. When you cross these two, you get a dog with extraordinary olfactory capability — the Bloodhound's 300 million scent receptors combined with the Redbone's speed and agility in the field.

Physical Characteristics: How Big Does a Redbone Bloodhound Get?

This is where prospective owners often underestimate the commitment. Both parent breeds are substantial dogs, and the cross doesn't shrink them.

• Weight: Expect 65–110 lb (29–50 kg). Females typically land in the 65–85 lb range; males often push 80–110 lb. A few large males can exceed 110 lb if they inherit the Bloodhound's heavier bone structure.
• Height: 23–27 inches (58–69 cm) at the withers. Bloodhound males stand 25–27 inches; Redbone males stand 22–27 inches. The cross usually falls in the overlapping zone.
• Build: Athletic but heavy-boned. Expect a deep chest, long dropped ears (inherited from both parents), loose skin around the face and neck (dewlap), and a long, tapered tail carried high when alert.
• Coat: Short, smooth, and dense. The signature redbone mahogany is common, but black-and-tan and liver variations appear depending on which parent's genes dominate. Shedding is moderate year-round with seasonal increases.

The ears are a critical feature — they're long, velvety, and hang well below the jawline. This is beautiful, but it also means chronic ear infections are a real management issue (more on that in the health section).

Temperament & Personality: What Living With One Is Really Like

Scenthound temperament is not for everyone. Here are the five core traits that define this cross, with real behavioral examples so you know what you're signing up for:

1. Scent-Obsessed Focus. Once this dog picks up a track, the world ceases to exist. You can call, whistle, and shout — they won't hear you. This isn't disobedience; it's neurology. The olfactory cortex in scenthounds is proportionally massive, and when it activates, auditory processing literally diminishes. Off-leash time should only happen in fully fenced areas or with GPS tracking collars.

2. Vocal and Expressive. Both parent breeds bay — that deep, resonant howl that carries for miles. Your Redbone Bloodhound mix will bay at squirrels, at the mail carrier, at 2 AM when they hear a raccoon on the roof. If you live in a neighborhood with close neighbors or noise ordinances, this is a serious consideration.

3. Gentle and Affectionate at Home. Despite their size and field intensity, these dogs are famously soft with their families. They lean against your legs, curl up at your feet, and tolerate children's handling with remarkable patience. They're not guard dogs — they'll greet a burglar with a tail wag and a nose sniff.

4. Stubborn Independence. Bred to work at a distance from hunters, scenthounds think for themselves. This translates to a dog that evaluates every command before deciding whether to comply. "Sit" might earn you a slow blink and a yawn. This isn't a lack of intelligence — it's a different kind of intelligence.

5. Pack-Oriented and Social. Both breeds hunted in packs and lived in kennels with other dogs. Your Redbone Bloodhound mix will generally do well with other dogs and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long stretches. They want to be with you or with another dog.

Exercise & Activity Needs: The Honest Daily Requirement

This is where many owners fail with hound crosses. "A walk around the block" will not cut it. An under-exercised Redbone Bloodhound mix will destroy your furniture, dig craters in your yard, and bay incessantly.

Total daily minimum: 60–90 minutes of combined physical and mental exercise. Puppies under 18 months need shorter, more frequent sessions to protect developing joints — aim for 5 minutes per month of age, twice daily, with free play on soft ground.

One underappreciated activity for this cross: barn hunt and tracking trials. Both the AKC and UKC offer tracking titles, and these dogs excel at them. It channels their drive into structured sport, and it's exhausting in the best way.

Common Health Issues: What This Cross Is Prone To

Crossbreeds can benefit from hybrid vigor — the reduced likelihood of inheriting recessive disorders that plague purebreds. However, when both parent breeds share predispositions, the cross inherits the risk. Always consult your veterinarian about screening protocols specific to your dog's lineage.

Bloat is the #1 killer to understand. GDV can progress from first symptoms to death in under 2 hours. If your dog shows a distended belly and tries to vomit without producing anything, go to the nearest emergency vet immediately. The Merck Veterinary Manual provides detailed clinical information on GDV pathophysiology.

Ask your breeder for OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) hip scores and thyroid clearance for both parents. Responsible breeders will have these readily available.

Grooming, Training & Daily Care

Grooming is straightforward but non-negotiable:

• Brushing: Once weekly with a rubber curry brush or bristle brush (Kong ZoomGroom or similar). Increases to 2–3x weekly during spring and fall shedding peaks.
• Ear cleaning: Weekly, using a veterinary ear cleanser (Epi-Otic Advanced or similar). Lift the ear flap, fill the canal, massage the base, let the dog shake, and wipe visible debris with cotton balls. Never use cotton swabs in the canal.
• Nail trimming: Every 2–3 weeks. Long nails on a 90-pound dog cause joint stress and alter gait mechanics.
• Dental care: Daily brushing with enzymatic dog toothpaste, or dental chews (VOHC-approved) 3–4x weekly.
• Bathing: Every 6–8 weeks, or as needed. Hound coats have a natural musk — some owners describe it as "corn chips" — and over-bathing strips essential oils.

Training requires patience and realistic expectations. Trainability rating: moderate. These dogs are intelligent but independently motivated. Recommended methods:

• Positive reinforcement only. High-value food rewards (freeze-dried liver, boiled chicken) work far better than repetition-based drills. Never use shock collars, prong collars, or alpha rolls — these damage trust with a sensitive hound and can trigger fear-based reactivity.
• Keep sessions short: 5–10 minutes, 2–3 times daily. Hounds lose interest in repetitive obedience work quickly.
• Recall training: Start in low-distraction environments and build gradually. Use a long-line (30 ft) for proofing. Understand that 100% reliable recall off-leash may never happen with a dog this scent-driven — management (fences, GPS collars) is your safety net.
• Socialization window: Critical between 8–16 weeks. Expose to varied surfaces, sounds, people, and other dogs during this period to prevent fearfulness.

Family Suitability: Kids, Pets & Living Situation

With children: Excellent for families with kids ages 5+. The dog's size means toddlers could be accidentally knocked over, so supervise interactions. Teach children to respect the dog's ears (no pulling) and to leave the dog alone while eating.

With other pets: Generally good with other dogs. Cats and small mammals are high-risk due to prey drive — some individuals can be trained to coexist, but never leave them unsupervised together.

Apartment living: Not recommended. The combination of size, vocalization, and exercise needs makes this cross best suited for homes with fenced yards in suburban or rural settings. A minimum fenced area of 6-foot fencing is recommended — these are athletic dogs that can clear shorter fences when motivated.

Cost of Ownership: Purchase Price & Annual Budget

Because this is a designer cross and not a standardized breed, pricing varies significantly by breeder, region, and parent pedigree.

Cost Category	Estimated Range
Puppy purchase price	$800–$2,000 (from health-tested parents)
Adoption / rescue	$200–$500 (hound rescues frequently have mixed-breed hounds)
First-year veterinary (vaccines, spay/neuter, microchip)	$600–$1,200
Annual veterinary (wellness, heartworm, flea/tick)	$500–$900
Food (premium large-breed kibble, 4–6 cups/day)	$60–$120/month ($720–$1,440/year)
Heartworm + flea/tick prevention (year-round)	$200–$400/year
Grooming supplies (brushes, ear cleaner, nail clippers)	$50–$100 initial
Training (group classes + private sessions)	$200–$600
Emergency fund (bloat surgery, hip surgery)	$3,000–$8,000 per incident
Estimated annual cost (after first year)	$1,700–$3,400

A note on breeders vs. rescue: Reputable breeders of either parent breed will health-test (OFA hips, OFA thyroid, cardiac clearance) and offer take-back clauses. Ask to see documentation before committing. Equally valid: hound-specific rescues like the American Coonhound Rescue Association or regional Bloodhound rescues frequently have mixed-breed hounds needing homes. Adoption is not a lesser option — it's often how experienced hound owners acquire their dogs.

Is the Redbone Bloodhound Right for First-Time Owners?

Honestly? Usually not — unless the first-time owner is committed to extensive education and has the lifestyle to match. Here's a decision framework:

1. Do you have a securely fenced yard (minimum 6 ft)? If no → this breed is not a fit.
2. Can you dedicate 60–90 minutes daily to exercise, rain or shine? If no → consider a lower-energy breed.
3. Are you comfortable with a dog that won't come when called off-leash? If you need perfect obedience → look to herding or sporting breeds instead.
4. Can you tolerate baying (loud vocalization)? If you have noise-sensitive neighbors → this will create problems.
5. Are you prepared for potential $5,000+ emergency vet bills (bloat, hip surgery)? If you don't have pet insurance or an emergency fund → address this before acquiring any large, deep-chested breed.

If you answered "yes" to all five, you may be ready — even as a first-time owner. Pair yourself with a positive-reinforcement trainer experienced with hounds, join online hound-owner communities, and invest in a GPS tracking collar (Garmin Alpha or Tractive GPS) from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian for health, nutrition, and behavioral guidance specific to your dog.