Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a hunting dog developed in the United States from crosses between the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. It follows its quarry entirely by scent, and its main job has always been hunting raccoons.

History

The breed’s ancestry goes back to the Talbot Hound, a dog found in medieval England after the 11th century. From there the line runs through the Bloodhound and the Foxhound to the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound of the American colonies.

In 1945 the Black and Tan became the first of the six coonhound breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, which placed it in the Hound Group. The other five, the Redbone, Plott, Bluetick, American English and Treeing Walker, were not recognized until the 2010s.

Although raccoons are its usual quarry, the breed has enough courage to be used on deer, bear, wolf, cougar and other big game. Many US states now restrict hunting antlered animals with dogs.

Appearance

The two main standards differ a little on size. The FCI asks for males of 64–69 cm (25–27 in) and females of 58–64 cm (23–25 in), and sets no weight. The United Kennel Club allows males of 58–69 cm (23–27 in) and females of 53–66 cm (21–26 in), with guideline weights of 23–34 kg (50–75 lb) for males and 18–29 kg (40–65 lb) for females.

The coat is short, dense and glossy, coal black with tan markings laid out much like those of a Dobermann or Rottweiler. The eyes are hazel to brown. The ears are long, wide and thin, set low and far back, and hang well down the neck. The legs are muscular and long in proportion to the body, and the tail sits just below the line of the back, rising to a right angle when the dog is alert or excited. The overall impression is of power and agility, with a strong, rhythmic stride that covers ground quickly.

The voice is a loud, deep bay. Each hound sounds a little different, and owners can often pick out their own dog from a long way off.

Temperament

Indoors the Black and Tan Coonhound is mellow, calm and unobtrusive. Outdoors its hunting instinct takes over, and once it is on a trail it can be hard to call off. It is strong, independent and stubborn, as its working background would suggest.

It is gentle and tolerant with children, though it may be too independent for a child who wants a playmate. With strangers it is reserved and may bay or howl.

Care and health

The breed can run for miles but is usually content with a moderate jog or a long walk and the odd outing in the field. Because it will wander off after a scent, it needs a secure area.

The coat needs only occasional brushing. Most coonhounds drool to some degree, so the face may need regular wiping, and the long ears should be checked regularly for infection.

The breed is generally healthy, with some risk of hip dysplasia, ear cancer and other ear infections, and eye problems. Litters average about eight puppies, and dogs usually live 10 to 12 years.

Facts on this page were checked against Wikipedia and may have changed since.