Black & Tan Coonhound Breed Description

An Owner's Black & Tan Coonhound Description
Blue would have never made a good house pet. His need for physical exercise and his inherent gift of smell drives him to the great outdoors to do what he loves best: chase raccoons up trees. I keep Blue close to the house, because once a scent enters his nostrils he's determined to chase it down, especially if it's the smell of a coon.

As far as tracking goes, there's not a more dependable dog than Blue. He's never lost a scent and has never failed to get the coon up into a tree and to keep him there. He's got a tremendous amount of stamina and determination and truly enjoys his work. I swear, sometimes I can see Blue smiling with pleasure after he's treed a coon.

Over the years, Blue has proved himself very capable of being an excellent watchdog; he can pick up the scent of a stranger up to a quarter mile down the road, which is plenty of time for me to load the shotgun. And he's not aggressive enough to be a real danger to a person's being, just a great early-warning-system.

As the children grew older, Blue grew to be a much better companion for them than when they were small. Maybe he just didn't like the scent of what the young'uns were leaving behind. Whatever the reason, he was much more willing to run after them once they grew up a bit.

You may be wondering why I call Blue by that name since he is all black and tan without a speck of blue on him anywhere. Well, he got his name the first time I ever heard him howl. It was such a woeful sound that I was sure he was showing just how sad he was feeling. I came to know that when Blue's not hunting, he's just about as blue as anyone could be.

 

 

Introduction

The Coonhound is an American breed These dogs are one of the world's most specialized breeds. They have a highly developed instinct to follow scent trails of raccoons or opossums. Once the quarry has been cornered, the Coonhound changes the tone of its voice. Grooming, with special attention to the ears, is vitally important. They are good with children and other pets. These dogs require a secure fence; if left outside unattended their baying can be a nuisance. They weigh 50 to 75 lbs. and stand 23-27" at the shoulders.

History

Bloodhounds and the black and tan Foxhound were crossed with the Talbot Hound to create the Black and Tan Coonhound, which was first recognized by the AKC in 1945 as a separate breed in its own right.

General Description

A large hunting hound with distinct black and tan markings, this dog has a long head and muzzle, with a medium stop. Scissors bite and round eyes present a calm expression. Round eyes are hazel to dark brown. Long, low-set ears hang lower than the nose tip. Long legged with a strong tail, they are loose skinned, including on their head, so they do slobber and drool. For those who love Black and Tan Coonhounds, that's a small price to pay for their love and companionship.

Temperament

As a hunter, few animals compare with the tracking and agility of the Black and Tan Coonhound. As the name implies, they were bred to trail and tree raccoon and would change their voice to a howl to let their master know they had treed the critter. However, they have been used to hunt far more dangerous prey, including bear and mountain lion.

Hounds need firm guidance, and the Black and Tan is no exception. Whether yours is a field dog or comes from a show line, it will need daily exercise; the difference is the field type needs more! Understanding this is key to happily owning a black and tan, whether as a family pet, or a hunter, or a show dog. Ongoing training, firm and consistent, will be necessary as the dog will respond best when it is secure in its knowledge of the family's pack order. Happiest as a house pet in an active home, this Coonhound is easy to socialize with children and enjoys playing with them.

Health and Care

Little is required other than petting your Black and Tan. Keep nails trimmed and teeth clean and your dog will thrive. Bathe only when absolutely necessary; a quick brush will remove debris.

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