Black and Tan Coonhound Dog Breed Information

Group

Hounds

Weight

29-50 kg

Height

63-68 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

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About the Black and Tan Coonhound

Reviewed by:

Dr. Charlotte Francesca Stiles

Veterinarian

Friendly, easy-going, and cute – what more could you want in a family dog? The Black and Tan dog is traditionally a hunting dog, but it has increasingly become a favourite for families in recent years. As long as they’re still given sufficient space to sniff around and fulfil their hunting instinct, Black and Tans can feel right at home in a caring family.

The hazel-hued eyes of a Black and Tan Coonhound may be impossible to resist, but this dog breed is not for everyone. They don’t thrive particularly well in apartments and can’t be left alone for extended periods of time.

In this breed guide, we’ll detail all the pros and cons of owning a Black and Tan Coonhound dog to see if this particular pup can fit the role of your family pet.

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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.

What is a Black and Tan Coonhound breed?

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an expert sniffer and possesses a strong hunting instinct – it can even sniff out an old scent trail, which is a very rare skill for a dog to possess. For this reason, it was primarily used to hunt for racoons (hence its name, ‘coon’).

Another reason why this hound fit the bill was it’s high-energy and desire for adventure – it loves wandering into the woods and relying on its nose for direction!

Not only is its nose highly sensitive, but its big, floppy ears also encourage scents to waft toward its nostrils. These ears, mixed with their kind and expressive hazel eyes give this breed an adorableness like no other.

They are a medium-to-large breed and feature short, dense coats. Their main colour is black with tan markings. Most of their bodies are black, while their bellies, nose, eyebrows, and the inside of their limbs feature lighter hair.

Who is a Black and Tan Coonhound 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 should 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 constant access to an enclosed space where they can play.

Black and Tan Coonhound Grooming & Shedding

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 help distribute the oil over 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 help 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 and clip your Black and Tan’s nails whenever necessary.

Do Black and Tan Coonhounds bark a lot?

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 a hunter can hear 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.

What is the average weight & height of a Black and Tan Coonhound dog?

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

Are Black and Tan Coonhounds easy to train?

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! So it’s important to only let them off their lead in appropriate places.

How do Black and Tan Coonhounds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

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, as with all dogs, it’s important not to leave children totally unsupervised around them.

Does the Black and Tan Coonhound have any common health issues?

The Black and Tan dog breed is prone to such genetic health problems as hip dysplasia, cataracts, and hypothyroidism. 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 does a Black and Tan Coonhound need to be fed?

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.

How much can you expect to pay for 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.

Black and Tan Coonhound FAQs

Can Black and Tan Coonhounds swim?

They enjoy a good swim when the opportunity arises, but they aren’t active swimmer dogs. Their hobbies lie more in digging and hunting for vermin, but they may enjoy a nice cooling swim on a hot day.

Why are Black and Tan Coonhounds a special breed?

They are special because they have a cold nose, meaning they can trace the scent of an animal that passed by long ago. This was useful to hunters for finding burrows and nesting places of animals.

Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good with kids?

Black and Tans are surprisingly patient with kids and appear to give them the benefit of the doubt when they do something that would otherwise annoy them. It’s best to never leave a dog and a child together unsupervised though.