American English Coonhound Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the American English Coonhound?

Their ancestry can be traced back to the English Fox and Coon hounds first brought to America by European settlers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

They were then known as Virginia hounds and were crossed with American Foxhounds to achieve increased endurance and durability. They were also crossed with Bloodhounds so that they could inherit this breed's strong sense of smell.

This was done because the American English Coonhound was used as a hunting dog by Southern farmers.

At this point, "Virginia Hound", the Treeing Walker, and the Bluetick coonhound were all categorised as American English Coonhounds. Which was changed in 1945 when they were recognised as separate breeds.

It was only in 2011 when the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered this breed that they were officially named the American English Coonhound to solidify their development in America.

Who are American English Coonhound dogs best for?

They are known to be quite headstrong, making them less suitable for novice owners. They require a pet parent who is going to be firm and consistent with them.

They love to be active and are high-energy dogs. So an owner who can give them physical stimulation regularly would be best suited for them. If you are considering getting one and you are living in an apartment, you may want to reconsider. They require a lot of play sessions and running around time and a home with a yard would be beneficial to them.

Now, as much as they are friendly towards strangers and other animals it is important to know that they do have a high prey drive. Having them in a home with small animals may not be the best-suited environment for them.

How much grooming does a American English Coonhound need?

They have a hard medium-length coat that is usually a mix of colours. They can be blue and white ticked, red and white ticked, tri colouring, there is no solid colour American English coonhound. They are unique-looking dogs with the colour ticking and their low-hung ears. With a fairly easy grooming process that requires very little time to complete.

Grooming is however important for this breed as their coats can become long and matted if not well looked after. Brushing your American English Coonhound weekly is very important. You can brush them with a grooming mitt. Doing so will result in a shinier coat that sheds less.

Bathe them regularly or as needed to avoid smells and build-up dirt in their coat. Brushing their teeth and clipping their nails should also be an important part of the grooming process.

Cleaning their anal sacs, ears and eyes should only be done with care and only when necessary. If this is not something you are comfortable with, taking them to a professional groomer is always an option.

Do American English Coonhound bark much?

One thing you should know about the American English Coonhound is that they will make quite a bit of noise. They are known for their loud howl.

As they are a protective breed, they can be very good guard dogs. This means that if they sense any kind of danger or encounter strangers you will hear their howl.

Barking or in their case howling does not always have to be aggressive, it may just be a way for them to alert you or those around them of what they are experiencing.

Early socialization is going to play a big role in helping them to decipher who is bad and who is not. It will get them used to being around new people as well as other dogs and animals. Starting this from when they are puppies is beneficial.

Do American English Coonhound bite?

This breed is known to display destructive behaviour which is why they are best suited for experienced dog owners. They are high-energy, physical dogs that need to be kept busy most of the time. Especially because they are inherently working dogs.

Biting does not necessarily mean that they are aggressive but more that they may not be getting sufficient mental and physical stimulation.

Getting them things like chew toys to redirect biting away from furniture and other things may help but they would more likely need more time outside. They especially love to climb trees as this is how their ancestors would hunt. Take them on your daily runs or family outdoor adventures to avoid this destructive behaviour.

American English coonhound puppies, much like every other puppy are known to nibble and chew on things. Training them at this young age about the difference is good and bad will avoid biting from becoming a habit when they get older.

What is the temperament & personality of a American English Coonhound?

As much as it may seem that the American English coonhound is an unfriendly dog due to their hunting background, they are not. This breed makes great companion dogs for families and gets along very well with children of all ages.

They are highly intelligent and are very physical making them great playmates to children as well as great to have with you in your outdoor activities.

These dogs love to roam, and climb and are very curious. If they do not get the opportunity or enough space to fill these needs they can become destructive.

As a family dog, they are loyal, loving, and eager to please. Do not let their hyper activeness fool you, as these floppy-eared pooches love to nestle on a soft surface and laze around too.

It is overall a good dog and would thrive in any environment where they are well looked after and loved.

What is the weight & size of a American English Coonhound?

Both male and female American English coonhounds have an average weight of 18 kg - 30 kg and have an average withers height between 53 cm - 69 cm.

How much training does a American English Coonhound need?

Training and especially obedience training is something that should be done with your American English Coonhound.

They are naturally stubborn dogs with a high prey drive and serious protective instincts. Training them, especially when having them as a family pet is very important. As much as they are great companion dogs these characteristics of theirs are inherited and will be challenging to control.

They may be locked onto an interesting scent or feel threatened by other dogs and may display unwanted behaviour. Training them to control these behaviours will help.

Training should always be started as soon as possible with any dog breed and because they are physical dogs it should not be boring. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical so training them should always be innovative and fun.

What are some of the most common health issues for a American English Coonhound?

This is an overall healthy breed, and as long as they are given mental stimulation and enough exercise, their physical health should remain strong.

They are however predisposed to some health issues:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia

• Progressive retinal atrophy - degeneration of retina tissue and can lead to blindness

• Polyradiculoneuritis - rare disease that causes inflammation of nerves and nerve roots

• Weight gain

• Ear infections

What is the lifespan of a American English Coonhound?

The American English Coonhound's life expectancy is 11 - 12 years.

How much should you feed a American English Coonhound?

The amount they are fed is always according to the dog's weight. The average size of this breed should be fed two to three cups of high-quality dog food three times a day.

Puppies of this breed should be fed one to two cups of dry food a day.

Always consult with your veterinarian on the best kind of food your dog needs. Especially if they have food allergies or any other health issues.

What is the price of a American English Coonhound in Australia?

The average price for this breed in Australia will be around $1 500.

Always make sure that if you purchase your dog that you are doing so from reputable and responsible breeders. Ask all of the right questions like have they done genetic tests and how long have they breeding.

Although are purebred and popular dogs to have as pets, always check your local shelters and rescue groups to adopt.