Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is an American hunting dog breed. It belongs to the scenthound family, and they were mostly used to track prey with their superb sense of smell. These dogs are still used to this day for their original purpose - hunting and tracking various game like mountain lions, bears, deer, and, most of all, raccoons.
The Black and Tan Coonhound is one of the six American coonhounds, and they are the most popular and recognizable. Even though they were developed as a hunting breed, these dogs can make excellent house pets for owners and families that know how to handle such a breed. They are very active and fairly intelligent so if you thinking of getting one of these dogs, make sure you learn about them and that you can fulfill their basic needs.
Height:
23-27 in (58-69 cm)
Weight:
65-110 lb (30-50 kg)
Origin:
USA
Life Expectancy:
10-12 years
Dog Breed Characteristics
Black and Tan Coonhound’s characteristics give these dogs the impression of power and alertness. These dogs share their characteristics with other coonhound breeds, and they are undeniably an impressive breed. Black and Tan Coonhound should always have a black nose. Their eyes should be almost round and can come in various shades, from hazel to dark brown.
Their most distinct characteristic is their ears. Their ears should hang in “graceful folds” and give these dogs a majestic appearance. They should be set fairly low on their head, either in line with their eyes or lower. They should be fairly long and can extend well beyond the tip of their nose.
They are powerful dogs that are able to work in the toughest conditions. They have long limbs with light bones and well-developed muscles that give these dogs the ability to cover great distances and lengths relatively easily.
Grooming
Black and Tan Coonhound have short and dense coat that serves as protection during hunting. These dogs need regular weekly brushing to keep the hair under control. These dogs will shed once or twice a year, and during that period, daily brushing is required to keep the dog looking good.
Black and Tan Coonhound coat colors:
- black with rich tan markings
Markings can be above the eyes, on the muzzle side, chest, and on the legs.
They will also need other basic care; brush their teeth at least three times a week. Check their ears for signs of infection and redness, bathe them regularly, and trim their nails if they don’t wear them down naturally.
Black and Tan Coonhound temperament
The Black and Tan Coonhound’s temperament is that of a typical pack-hunting hound. They were bred to work alongside other dogs, so they understand the pack order quite well. They are extremely good hunters, and the temperament of the working dog should always be positive and energetic.
If you are considering a Black and Tan Coonhound pet, keep in mind that they are extremely active and require a great deal of exercise every day. They can be a bit stubborn and difficult to train, so this is a breed that is not recommended for novice and inexperienced dog owners. It is extremely important that you remember this is a scenthound, and they will follow their nose if they stumble upon an interesting scent.
Walking them off-leash in an unfenced area should never be an option. They can also be shy and a bit distrustful towards strangers, but these dogs should never show aggression or fear.
Black and Tan Coonhound training and socialization
Training a Black and Tan Coonhound to hunt shouldn’t be too much of a problem, as hunting is something that comes naturally to them. Working dogs usually follow prey until they make it run up a tree. They will notice their owner or hunter by barking.
Training this breed could be a bit problematic because they can be strong-willed. You will need plenty of patience and consistency in order to properly train these dogs. Make sure you use positive training methods that involve plenty of food-based rewards, and your dog will certainly react well to those types of training sessions.
When socializing a Black and Tan Coonhound, you shouldn’t have too many problems because these dogs have been working with other dogs for years, and they generally get along great with them. They can be shy when it comes to strangers, but early socialization can teach them that strangers are nothing to be afraid of.
Ensure you take your dog to busy parks and places where they can face different people and dogs. Make it a positive experience for them and follow their good behavior with a treat.
Kids
Early socialization and proper training can teach them to behave even when children are around. If you train and socialize your dog well, your children will get a great playing partner that has plenty of energy. These dogs can play for hours upon hours without getting tired or bored. Children should never be left alone with any dog, no matter what breed.
You should make sure that your children understand how to approach dogs of this breed and understand how to interact and play with them properly.
Other animals
These dogs are a hunting breed, but they learned to hunt in packs, which makes them quite tolerant of other dogs; they love having company. The Black and Tan Coonhound was developed to hunt in coordination with other dogs and hunters.
If you are thinking about getting one of these dogs, it might be useful to think about getting them some company. They will get along with just about any breed and with dogs of both sexes. your dog has some company, it is less likely to get in trouble and misbehave while you are away.
They can also get along with other animals, especially if they are raised together from the start.
Health problems
Black and Tan Coonhounds are dogs with a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Like any other dog breed, they are prone to some health problems that every (future) owner should be aware of. To be sure that you'll get the healthiest possible dog, never buy a dog from a puppy mill breeder or a pet store. Black and Tan Coonhound can suffer from
- Hip dysplasia - Genetic problem affecting hips resulting from an improperly formed hip joint.
- Cataracts - Cloudy spots on the lens of the eye
- Ear infections - Especially for dogs that love water, you need to check their ears regularly for signs of infections or redness.
Breeders
If this breed is a good fit for you and/or your family, make sure that you find a registered and reputable Black and Tan Coonhound breeder that can provide you with a great dog that will be physically and mentally healthy. Ask the breeder to show you the health certificates of his breeding dogs and if you can, try and see what the puppy’s parents look like.
Buying a dog from a responsible breeder will cost you more money, but you can be sure that you will get a healthy puppy. If you cannot buy a dog, we advise you to search for local animal shelters because there is a chance you can find a Black and Tan Coonhound dog in it.
When you bring your new puppy home, start with the training and socialization immediately. By doing so, you will end up with a well-behaved dog whom you can trust. Provide him with enough daily exercise for him to be happy.
If you are unsure whether this is the breed for you, check out this FREE GUIDE that will help you decide which dog breed is right for you.
SEARCH BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND BREEDERS
World Dog Finder team
Updated at31.08.2023.
Breed History
English Foxhound is a direct ancestor of Black and Tan Coonhounds. These dogs were developed in the US around the 1700s, and they were bred to tree raccoons and possums. Other than that, this dog is capable of running even a bigger game. Because of their versatility, they were favored by the settlers.
Black and Tan Coonhound were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1945 and despite all the qualities that this dog possesses he never became a popular dog breed in the US.
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