Group: Hound

Weight: 50 – 75 pounds

Height: 23 – 27 inches

Life Expectancy: About 10 – 12 years

Size of Litters: Average of 7 – 8 puppies



History

As its name suggests, the Black and Tan Coonhound is an expert raccoon hunter. Its hunting prowess isn’t limited to only raccoons, however. The Black and Tan Coonhound is also proficient at tracking and hunting larger quarry such as deer, opossum, bear and even mountain lion. The dog tracks its prey by keeping its sensitive nose to the ground and using its powerful sense of smell. When the raccoon, or other animal, has been located and run up a tree, the Black and Tan Coonhound releases a special howl. This breed is one of the few to be developed exclusively in the United States. While it did not receive AKC recognition until 1945, it was first recognized by the UKC as early as 1912. Foundation stock for the Black and Tan Coonhound include the Bloodhound, the Foxhound and possibly the Talbot Hound.

Characteristics

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a powerfully built, working hound dog. As its name suggests, it has a short, shiny coat, predominantly black in color with tan markings on the head, legs and chest. Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the Black and Tan Coonhound are the very long, pendulous ears. These ears, along with the drooping folds of skin on the Black and Tan Coonhound’s muzzle, help sweep scents of the ground and into the dog’s nostrils so it may more easily track its prey. This breed has long legs, allowing it to cover more ground when hunting.

Temperament

With its history as a working hunter, the Black and Tan Coonhound lives to follow its nose. For this reason, it should not be trusted off-lead unless enclosed in a secure area. This breed has a reputation as a loyal, friendly and devoted companion for hunters and pet-owners alike. Some Black and Tan Coonhounds tend to be willful, so guardians for this breed must be devoted to training and exercise patience. They can be a bit rowdy, so these dogs do better with older children than with toddlers or babies. Socialization from an early age is necessary, as it is not uncommon for this breed to be aggressive around strange dogs.

Care

No special grooming is required for the Black and Tan Coonhound’s short, sleek coat. The ears, however, do need extra attention. Because of their excessive length, moisture can get trapped in the ears and cause infection. Be sure and clean your Black and Tan Coonhound’s ears at least once a week. Like other hounds, the Black and Tan sometimes has a distinct, “houndy” odor. This can be kept under control with regular bathing. Some Black and Tan Coonhounds drool and slobber quite a bit. For more detailed info, take a look at the Black and Tan Coonhound Grooming page.

Training

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an intelligent dog, but can be willful at times. This dog does not respond well to overly strict or heavy-handed training methods. Use patience, consistence and positive training methods to teach your Black and Tan Coonhound what you expect him to do. This is an active breed that needs regular, daily exercise. It will howl if left alone for long periods of time.

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