Black and Tan Coonhound Dog Breed

Registration: KC, AKC, FCI
Country of Origin: United States of America
Size: Large
Coat: Short
Colours: Black and tan
Temperament: Friendly, easygoing, bright, independent, active, responsive

History

The Black and Tan Coonhound was first developed in the mountains of South America in the 1700s. However, they are believed to have originally descended from the Talbot Hound, which existed in Medieval England from the 11^th century. They are also thought to have Bloodhounds and Virginia Foxhounds in their bloodline. Black and Tan Coonhounds were originally bred to hunt raccoons that served as a source of food, fur, and fat for immigrants who first settled in southern and western territories. They were produced by frontiersmen and developed to be skilled at tracking raccoons at night through swamps. These dogs have a characteristic deep howling voice which they would use to mark the location of the raccoon for hunters.

These dogs were highly prized in the southern states of the US because of their strong scenting abilities, incredible stamina, and ability to work in many challenging terrains and across vast distances. In addition, they were very capable of finding prey that climbed up trees. They would stay at the base to alert the hunters. Moreover, Black and Tan Coonhounds have unique webbed feet, making them adept at tracking prey through marshlands and swamps.

One of the earliest enthusiasts of the breed was explorer and hunter Daniel Boone. In fact, his home state of Kentucky became a popular and well-known base for Black and Tan Coonhound breeding programs.

The American Kennel Club officially recognised the Black and Tan Coonhound in 1945. These dogs were first imported to the UK from Finland and America in 2014. They were officially recognised by the UK Kennel Club in 2018. Today, these dogs are still commonly used as hunting dogs in America. However, they are also becoming popular as family pets and show dogs around the rest of the world.

Appearance

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large, strong, agile, and well-balanced dog breed. They have remarkable stamina when they pick up a scent. Known for their handsome and solid appearance, they are recognised for their black and tan markings, glossy coats, and long ears. They have large, broad, and slightly domed heads with strong jawlines and rounded eyes that can be hazel to dark brown in colour. Their muzzles are well-proportioned with nostrils that are black, large, and open.

Their characteristic ears are set low, below eye level, and hang well down. The inside edge of the ears slants towards the muzzle. They are slightly oval at the tips and velvety and smooth to the touch.

Coonhounds have strong yet graceful necks without excessive dewlaps. Their shoulders are nicely muscled and well-laid-back. This is a good indication of the hound’s speed and strength. Their straight front legs are powerful, making them perfectly adapted to track prey across long distances. Their moderately broad chests are deep, and their backs are strong, muscular, relatively short, and slightly curved. Their round hips are well-proportioned, and their loins are well-muscled. They also have graceful and arched flanks. These dogs have a tremendous amount of power and it shows on their muscular and strong back legs. Their feet are well-padded, and their toes are close-knit and tight. These dogs have strong tails that are set slightly below the level of the back but are carried high when alert.

The Black and Tan Coonhound’s coat is short, smooth, fine, glossy, and waterproof. These characteristics offer a huge amount of protection against the outside elements. The only accepted colour recognised by the Kennel Club breed standard is coal black with rich tan markings that are normally present on the chest, legs, above the eyes, and on the sides of the muzzle. Any white markings are considered to be highly undesirable.

Personality

Known for their gentle, playful natures in a home environment, Black and Tan Coonhounds are loyal, good-natured, and reliable canine companions. With proper training and handling, these amazing dogs are a joy to have around. However, bear in mind that they are also independent thinkers with a strong stubborn streak. Because of this, it is imperative that consistent training starts from puppyhood. If not, these clever dogs may quickly exhibit a more dominant side that can result in the development of unruly behaviours. Black and Tan Coonhounds are known to be highly social. They love being around people and are generally accepting of strangers. These dogs should never be left alone for long periods because this can lead to boredom and separation anxiety. In particular, these dogs can become excessive barkers and howlers if left to their own devices for too long.

It’s worth noting that Black and Tan Coonhounds have strong prey drives, so it’s recommended to keep them on a strong leash when outside on walks. Furthermore, make sure you keep their bright minds alert by incorporating varied games and exercises into their daily routine. Puzzles that involve an enticing scent will be most appreciated!

Trainability

Black and Tan Coonhounds are intelligent, confident, and independent dogs that require consistent training as well as regular physical and mental stimulation to grow up into happy and well-rounded hounds. It is crucial to socialise them from an early age, by introducing them to lots of new people, noises, situations, and other pets. Furthermore, training should be consistent, fun, and use positive reinforcement. First-time dog owners may struggle with the intense training needs of this breed so it's well worth doing your research before deciding to add a Black and Tan Coonhound to your family. A Black and Tan Coonhound needs to know their place in the pack for guidance and direction.

Keep training sessions short and fun to begin with, to ensure your puppy remains engaged. These dogs can be trained to become obedient but remember that respect training is much more important than blind obedience. Recall training is perhaps the most important lesson to teach your Black and Tan Coonhound because of their naturally strong prey drives. Furthermore, a securely fenced yard is essential because these dogs are great escape artists and will happily dash off when they pick up an enticing scent!

Coat & Care

Black and Tan Coonhounds have short, naturally glossy, coats that require brushing at least once a week with a hound mitt or rubber curry brush to eliminate any dead hairs and to distribute vital skin oils. In addition, you can regularly wipe the coat with a clean chamois leather to keep it shiny.

These large dogs have a distinct houndy odour that can be unpleasant for some. To reduce the smell, you can bathe them, but this should only be done once a month or so. Also, make sure to use a vet-recommended dog shampoo and rinse well to prevent dry, flaky skin.

Black and Tan Coonhounds have long, drooping ears, which makes them prone to developing ear infections. So, check them regularly for any signs of infection such as redness or swelling, and clean them weekly using a cotton wool ball moistened with a vet-approved ear cleaner.

Daily teeth brushing is the most reliable way to prevent tooth and gum disease in canines. However, twice a week brushing is adequate enough to prevent excessive bacteria and tartar build-up. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best products to effectively clean your dog's teeth, gums, mouth, and tongue.

Their nails should be trimmed once or twice a month or as needed. This is especially important for less active dogs that may not wear their nails down naturally. Remember that long nails can be painful and even cause mobility issues in extreme cases. If you are unsure of how to do this yourself, you can seek advice from your local veterinarian or professional dog groomer.

Also, examine the body as you clean them to see if there are any inflammations, rashes, wounds, and other indicators that your dog may have an infection or other health condition. Check their eyes too. They must be clean and clear without inflammation or discharge.

Health

The Black and Tan Coonhound’s average life expectancy is 10-12 years, given that these large and strong dogs are correctly cared for and handled, given a high-quality diet that fits their age and health requirements, and offered daily exercise opportunities. That said, it’s important that you purchase a puppy from a trustworthy and licensed breeder. They will be able to perform DNA tests on your puppy to check for any underlying health conditions. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask any relevant questions.

These robust dogs are known to be a healthy dog breed, but the Black and Tan Coonhound can have some of these health conditions:

Hip Dysplasia – An inherited health condition where the thighbone does not fit firmly into the dog’s hip joint. Some dog breeds display pain and limping on one or both back legs, while others do not show outward signs of discomfort. However, more severe cases can cause mobility issues and the onset of arthritis.
Patella Luxation – A hereditary disorder in dogs characterised by an ectopic development of the patella (kneecap) which can cause it to pop out of allignment.
Cataracts – This causes a cloudy film to develop over the eye lens. It most commonly affects older dogs and can lead to vision issues.
Ectropion – A condition where the eyelid rolls outwards, leaving the inside of the eye vulnerable to infection.
Haemophilia – A blood clotting disorder caused by a gene mutation. This can cause excessive bleeding and bruising.
Retained Testicle – This condition can sometimes affect puppies at birth, in which one or both testicles fail to descend properly. This can increase the risk of certain health issues including cancer so the removal of the affected testicle is often recommended.
Coonhound Paralysis – A disease that causes the rapid loss of leg function which can gradually improve over time. It is often caused by a bite from a raccoon however, it can also occur in dogs that have had no raccoon exposure.

Children & Other Pets

Black and Tan Coonhounds are known to be gentle and calm in home environments. Thus, they can be tolerant and patient with older children who know how to treat them with respect. However, they may not be the best match for homes with younger children because of their large size and boisterous natures. Remember to always supervise interactions between a dog and a child to prevent any incidents.

Known to be pack dogs, Black and Tan Coonhounds are happy to have the company of other dogs, as long as they are introduced gradually and with care. Furthermore, they can get along well with other pets however, supervision is required with smaller animals because Black and Tan Coonhounds have strong prey drives.