Where the Red Fern Grows is a 1961 children's novel by Wilson Rawls about a boy who buys and trains two Redbone Coonhound hunting dogs. read more
In the novel, Where the Red Fern Grows, the various dogs serve to show Billy loyalty, determination and the strong bond a person can have with a dog. In the beginning of the book, Billy lives in the suburbs and encounters a hound named Buddy. read more
And Billy learns to have faith in God through having faith in his dogs. Even in almost hopeless situations, Billy refuses to give up his belief in his dogs. At the very end, when he sees the red fern, he believes in them again—only this time, belief in them means belief in God. read more
The Redbone Coonhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1902, becoming the second coonhound breed to gain recognition. The Redbone Coonhound was popularized after the novel Where the Red Fern Grows, written by Wilson Rawls, was published in 1961. read more