Black and Tan Coonhound Breed Guide

What is the history & origin of the Black and Tan Coonhound?

The Black and Tan Coonhound was born in America, but its origin can be traced right back to medieval England. It is claimed that its lineage starts with the Talbot Hound, an 11th-century English hunting hound. The Coonhound is also thought to be distantly related to the Grand Bleu Gascogne, the Kerry beagle, and several foxhounds and bloodhounds.

It is thought that the ancestors of the Black and Tan Coonhound were brought over to America by Robert Brooke and Lord Baltimore, who settled in Maryland in 1602. Early Black and Tans were said to exist throughout the Southern United States areas, around the time of the American Civil War.

They were bred specifically for sniffing out animals and were trained to carry out the treeing technique. This involved them chasing game up trees and howling to alert the owners of their location. In terms of what they would hunt, it was mostly raccoons, squirrels, and, believe it or not, bears! (according to the Coon Hunting Club).

In the years following, the breed became more than just a hunting canine; they became fully established family pets and became one of the first coonhound breeds to be recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1945.

Who are Black and Tan Coonhound dogs best for?

Black and Tan Coonhound dogs are best for hikers who are looking for a reliable sidekick. If you're an active family who regularly commits to weekend adventures in the woods, a Black Coonhound would take great pleasure in being by your side and sniffing along the way.

They don't enjoy being confined to sniffing the same scents; they need new landscapes to explore and sniff to remain happy pups. It's great if you've got nearby parks for daily exercise, but it would be best for the pup to explore new territory at the weekend. But be warned, as soon as they catch a whiff of an interesting scent, they could run off in pursuit of it!

Generally, they require half an hour-one hours' worth of walking per day, but this can be extended at the weekends. They always have plenty of energy to burn, so the energy they don't use while walking can be burned off in the garden.

That's another thing - they require an enclosed space where they can play dog sports at any time.

How much grooming does a Black and Tan Coonhound need?

The short-yet-dense coat of a Black Coonhound provides them with enough warmth, but not enough hair to evenly distribute skin oils around their bodies. This is why you need to brush your Coonhound regularly throughout the week to cover their whole body.

They only shed dead hair a maximum of twice per year, during which time, you will need to brush your Coonhound more regularly. This will remove the dog hair and keep your pup healthy during their shedding season. To groom them effectively, you'll need a good brush and a rubber grooming mitt.

As with all dog breeds, be sure to regularly clean their ears, bathe them, and clip your Black and Tan's nails whenever necessary.

Do Black and Tan Coonhound bark much?

Given their roles as hunting dogs, Coonhounds are very prone to barking whenever they perceive either a threat or prey. They don't bark like other dogs, they bark in deep tones known as baying. These can be particularly loud, as they are designed so that the owner hears them.

It would be difficult for you to stamp this barking habit out of a Coonhound completely, as it is in their nature to do so. However, you could try and calm them down whenever they bark through patting, or by simply acknowledging what they are trying to show you.

Do Black and Tan Coonhound bite?

Adult dog Coonhounds do not tend to bite. These dogs merely chased their prey and alerted their owners to it; they were never trained to cause harm to the animals that they chased. For this reason, you can rest assured that Black and Tans do not have a biting instinct.

Of course, a Tan Coonhound puppy may bite out of playfulness, at which point you should teach them not to by lightly warning them not to do it. Or, you could introduce a command word such as 'no' to use whenever they do something they shouldn't, such as biting.

What is the temperament & personality of a Black and Tan Coonhound?

Their desire to explore the outside world is their main drive, so Coonhounds are generally described as being outgoing and adventurous. They enjoy new experiences and although they may initially be suspicious of new dogs or new humans approaching them, most of the time they can come around and appear quite friendly.

Coonhounds show a good level of patience around children and aren't too prone to get annoyed with them. However, it's important not to leave children totally unsupervised around them.

What is the weight & size of a Black and Tan Coonhound?

A Coonhound will weigh somewhere between 29 and 50 kg. They're medium to large-sized dogs and should have a height of around 63 to 68 cm.

How much training does a Black and Tan Coonhound need?

The number one instinct of a Black and Tan coonhound is to chase anything that moves. This could be bad if you introduce them to new cats and dogs at different stages of their lives, as it's only natural for them to perceive them as prey. For this reason, it's a good idea to take them to puppy training classes from a young age, so that they can get used to other pets being around.

They have an independent side and like spending time on their own, but through plenty of positive reinforcement techniques from an early age, you could easily train your Tan Coonhound to be an obedient mature pup.

It may be difficult to teach them how to not run away when let off the leash. Once they catch a scent, they're off! For that reason, it may be a good idea to keep them on a long, tough leash at all times.

What are some of the most common health issues for a Black and Tan Coonhound?

The Black and Tan dog breed is prone to such genetic health problems as hip dysplasia, cataracts, and Hypothyroidism. They may be considered healthier than some purebred dogs. Before adopting, ask if the dog's parents suffered any health issues. You could also request to see health documents from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF), for example.

What is the lifespan of a Black and Tan Coonhound?

The lifespan of Black and Tan Coonhound tends to be between 10 and 12 years.

How much should you feed a Black and Tan Coonhound?

Food portions and meal numbers differ depending on the Coonhounds' age and size. However, the best thing to feed them would be dry high-quality dog food.

What is the price of a Black and Tan Coonhound in Australia?

Average prices for Black and Tan Coonhounds are $825 to $2,200 - make sure you're buying from reputable breeders or a Tan Coonhound club.