The sleek Redbone Coonhound, an American original, is patient, polite, and even-tempered indoors but is a tiger outdoors. The rhythm of a coonhound’s life alternates between vigorous activities like swimming and hunting. Redbones are medium- to large-sized hound dogs with muscular undertones and a striking red exterior. The overall impression is that they were carved from blocks of the finest mahogany by a skilled sculptor. Ears that can reach the nose flank the traditionally hound-like head. Redbones are swift and surefooted with a proud, purposeful gait. They were bred to labor on all types of severe terrain. Dreamy brown eyes give the face an expression that the breed’s admirers refer to as “pleading.”