Coonhounds are renowned for being fearless and tenacious, which makes them superb hunters. These dogs, named for the game they hunt, such as raccoons, have an excellent sense of smell and an innate ability to track prey.
Because of their powerful, muscular physique, coonhounds are ideal for outdoor activities. They are renowned for their long-range hunting prowess, endurance, and stamina. Even though they are skilled hunters, they also make devoted and loving housemates.
Coonhounds are energetic, outdoor dogs that make wonderful companions for families, but they also have a gentle, affectionate side. They enjoy spending time with their humans, are intelligent, and are simple to train. You can appreciate these amazing dogs even more if you are aware of their distinctive characteristics.
- Coonhounds: Historical Background
- Appearance and breed standard
- Table: standard for the black and tan coonhound
- Photo gallery: varieties of coonhounds:
- Character and psyche of coonhounds
- Coonhound training
- Coonhound care
- Coonhound diseases
- Obesity
- Ear infections
- Dysplasia
- Video on the topic
- Posavsky hounds. Very hardy, persistent and versatile hunters!
- About the Coonhound breed
- Which dog to choose for hunting?
Coonhounds: Historical Background
A group of breeds known as coonhounds have American origins. There are seven different breeds within the coonhound group:
- Black and Tan Coonhound
- English American (Red-Ticked) Coonhound
- Red Coonhound
- Plott Coonhound
- Blue-Ticked Coonhound
- Walker"s Treeing Coonhound
- leopard hound.
Coonhounds: a collection of canines
Coonhound history started in the eighteenth century, when America was first colonized. Dogs were then being brought to America from France and the British Isles for the aristocracy’s favorite activity, hunting. Along with other breeds, these were foxhounds and French hounds. However, it turned out that because American game mostly hid in trees, these dogs, accustomed to hunting primarily burrowing animals, were unable to track American game effectively (in America, hunting was practiced for opossums, raccoons, bears, lynxes, pumas, foxes, etc.). This is the origin of the coonhound breed.
Since every breed has a unique origin story, each must be taken into account separately. Because of this, the black and tan coonhound—the only breed officially recognized by the FCI—possesses exceptional sense of smell because it is descended from bloodhounds. The black and tan foxhound was the second ancestor. The official valid standard was published in 1991, and the FCI recognized the black and tan variety in 1945. Other coonhound breeds are prohibited from exhibition since they are only recognized as black and tan variations.
Coonhounds pursue both large and small game.
Red KunHound is descended from red-colored Foxhantes who were introduced to Georgia in the mid-1800s. 1840. This breed was derived from Irish foxhantes and Bladhantes. The first breeder of the breed, Peter Redbone, gave the breed its original name, Redbone Coonhound. The purpose of the Red Coonhound breed was to hunt big game and trees. approved in 1902 by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
The narrative of two red coonhounds and their ten-year-old owner is presented in Wilson Rawls’ book "Where the Red Fern Grows" (Russian: "The Flower of the Red Fern").
Compared to other coonhounds, the plott is a little different. Its roots are not connected to Foxhounds or Bloodhounds; rather, they are linked to Native American, German, French, and Spanish dogs. Johann Plott, a German immigrant, settled in North Carolina in the middle of the 18th century. He carried several Hanoverian hounds, which were bred specifically to hunt wild boar and bears. He, along with his son Henry in the future, focused on enhancing the breed rather than hybridizing it. Consequently, Plott’s hounds rose to fame.
Breed specifically for "wood hunting," kunhaundes drive a beast up a tree and direct the approach of the hunter.
Plott was given Kobel from a flock of Ploth by a hunter who bred leopard hounds in an attempt to improve his breed. However, the hunter later gave up on the idea and gave Plott the puppies. A surge in leopard hound blood had a positive effect on the breed. Ferguson was involved in both the plots and the breed at the start of the 20th century. It’s possible that the Plotthas were crossed with other breeds during that period, but this is an unreported fact. The United American Club of the Dogovodst recognized the Plotthaunds in 1946, and the AKC did the same in 2006.
The rarest of the group of kunhantes is the Leopard Hound, directly related to Plotthaund (not to be confused with a leopard dog Katahula!). It originated from a cross between the Spanish conquistadors’ dogs and the Indians’ dogs. Another theory holds that wolves and even Beaucerons had a role in the development of the breed. In the 19th century, this breed gave rise to the Plott Hounds. As a rare breed, the Leopard Hound is currently governed by the AKC.
The group "coonhound" consists of seven breeds.
The French Blue de Gascogne hound and foxhound are crossed to create the Blue Spotted Coonhound. There is another variation of this breed: the American Blue Gascogne Hound. Frequently referred to as the traditional Blue Coonhound. It can be identified by its larger size, icy coloring, and more subdued hunting technique. The American Kennel Club of America recognized the Blue Coonhound in 1946, and the American Kennel Club did the same in 2007.
George Washington and other US political leaders introduced the Virginia hounds, which were bred from foxhounds and other dogs, and are the ancestors of the English Coonhound. It received recognition from the United American Kennel Club in 1905.
Coonhounds are adept at hunting even the most challenging terrain.
The Foxhound is the ancestor of the Walker Coonhound. Under the US government’s sponsorship, two breeders were producing robust, resilient dogs that could hunt in the country. To expand the gene pool, a black and tan dog of unknown origin was crossed with upcoming Walker Coonhounds in 1800. It’s possible that the breed later included French tricolor hound blood. The American Kennel Club of America recognized Walker Coonhounds in 1945, and the American Kennel Club recognized them in 2012.
Appearance and breed standard
Because breeds differ slightly in appearance, each variety has its own standard. For the black and tan coonhound, there is only one FCI standard.
Table: standard for the black and tan coonhound
- Group 6. Hounds and related breeds.
- Section 1. Large hounds. No working trial.
- the length of the body from the shoulder to the buttocks is approximately equal to the height at the withers;
- The dog should be folded so that neither long -legged nor squat
- The nose is black, flat, wide, open nostrils;
- The lips are well developed, sagging typical of hounds;
- scissor bite;
- The eyes are brown, rounded, planted shallow;
- Ears: low landing, fed back. Hang, gracefully folding and giving the dog a majestic look. Length – equal or slightly shorter than the muzzle
- straight;
- Powerful shoulders;
- The elbows do not turn out either inward or out;
- Picked: Strong, straight
- developed skeletons and muscle mass;
- From the hip to the hock joint is long and sinewy;
- At a rack on a flat surface, they are allotted back and from the foot to a hock joint form a right angle with the ground.
- The steps are graceful, lungs, exciting enough space;
- The front legs do not cross when walking;
- at low speed, the hocks of the hind legs are parallel to the front ones, and as the speed increases, they converge towards the central axis;
- the back remains straight
- Height of males — 63.5–68.5 cm, females — 58–63.5 cm. Exceeding the size is not penalized if the proportions are maintained.
- Weight of males — 30–34 kg, females — 25–32 kg.
- Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, the severity of which should depend on the extent of the fault;
- Excessive wrinkles;
- Not a scissor bite;
- Yellow, light eyes;
- Ears set too short and high;
- Flat feet turned outward;
- Too much tan or black;
- White markings;
- Smaller size.
- Aggression and cowardice;
- Physical defects;
- Illnesses;
- white spots.
The American Kennel Club and the AKC have standards for other varieties. In addition to color, coonhounds differ in certain other ways as well, so let’s examine the general and unique traits of the breed.
- legs are straight, long, with medium-heavy bone and developed muscles;
- hanging ears, reaching the tip of the nose when extended;
- short and smooth, but thick and dense coat, protecting the dog in wooded areas;
- chest is deep enough, reaching the elbows;
- tail is held high in a stand and in motion, proud head set;
- massive head with a moderately wide skull;
- long muzzle;
- no folds of skin on the muzzle, no dewlap on the neck;
- body length from shoulders to buttocks is approximately equal to the height at the withers;
- typical hound drooping lips;
- eyelids do not droop under any circumstances.
Every coonhound has unique qualities.
- Red Coonhound:
- pleading expression of the muzzle;
- massive feet;
- brown eyes;
- clearly defined withers;
- sharp transition of the forehead to the nose;
- back line smoothly slopes to the base of the tail;
- the lower line is almost level;
- the occipital protuberance is pronounced;
- the contours of the muzzle profile are not perfectly smooth;
- the back is straight;
- its movements are proud, stable, with good coverage;
- color — dark saturated red, a small amount of white on the paws and lips is permissible, as well as black pigment on the muzzle near the ears.
- Plott hound:
- more graceful, thin;
- brown or hazel eyes;
- the line of the back is not perfectly straight: the withers are slightly higher than the hips, the line from the withers to the loin slightly bends, then noticeably bends towards the base of the tail;
- the eyes are slightly narrower and closer set;
- the profile lines of the muzzle are smooth, the transition from the forehead to the nose is softer;
- the muzzle is slightly narrower, the cheekbones are more pronounced;
- movements are graceful, agile, rhythmic, at all trotting speeds the legs move equally;
- the color must be brindle or black solid, white spots on the chest and a small slate shade on the muzzle and paws are permissible.
- Blue speckled coonhound:
- the muzzle is more square, massive, somewhat shorter;
- dark brown eyes;
- lips hang slightly more;
- the line of the back is smoothly curved from the withers to the base of the tail;
- The stomach is even more lean, and the chest is deeper, which is why the paws seem longer;
- deeper set eyes;
- skull line is perfectly rounded;
- active, energetic movements, with a well-raised head and a soft line of the back;
- black and white color, may be with red tan, seems blue due to abundant black speckles.
- Walker Coonhound:
- muzzle in profile is wide and long;
- no breaks in the line from the back of the head to the base of the tail;
- the line of the back gently descends to the tail;
- body is somewhat shorter than in other breeds;
- tail is thicker and shorter, more curved;
- belly line is smooth;
- movements are smooth, without tension;
- color – tricolor: white, black, tan. White and black can dominate, on the dominant color there may be markings of other colors of the coat.
- English American Coonhound:
- back is straight;
- paws are more massive;
- head is proportionally larger, lines are clear, not smoothed out;
- a smooth curve of the back, which is repeated by the lower line of the body;
- The case is generally thinner, so the paws seem longer;
- color – white with red, on white – red speckles;
- when moving, the tail is carried high, swinging from side to side, movements are smooth, energetic.
- Leopard hound:
- slightly curved, the line of the belly is even;
- the skin on the neck is thicker, denser and lies more freely;
- the hair is slightly longer;
- the skull is perfectly rounded;
- the eyes can be blue, heterochromic, yellowish and brown;
- color – leopard (may be brindle), solid colors are also found.
Photo gallery: varieties of coonhounds:
The only coonhound recognized by the FCI is black and tan. Plott Hounds can only be either black or brindle. A little bit like pointers is the American English coonhound. The most well-liked breed of coonhound is the Walker coonhound. The blue-spotted coonhound is a superb hunter. Possibly related to Irish setters, the red coonhound A hybrid of Mexican and Spanish dogs, the leopard hound
The drawbacks associated with every breed:
- Red Coonhound:
- White spots on legs and chest;
- White markings;
- Flat feet;
- Hips higher than withers;
- Overshot and undershot;
- Pigment on muzzle and ears of any color except black;
- Pointed skull.
- Plott Hound:
- Heavy bone structure;
- Sad expression;
- Ears too long or too short (disqualification);
- Skull pointed or too flat;
- Square muzzle;
- Feet pointing outward, flat, front legs arched (disqualification).
- Blue Spotted:
- Overshot and undershot (disqualification);
- Coat too short or too long;
- Disqualification – color deviation;
- Disqualification – size deviation.
- Walker Coonhound:
- Nose of any color except black;
- Short, high-set ears;
- Narrow skull;
- Short neck;
- Tail too curved;
- flat feet;
- disqualification – color deviations.
- English American:
- narrow skull;
- disqualification – overshot and undershot bite;
- The neck is too high or low;
- protruding shoulders;
- bald tail or tail with a plume;
- disqualification – tricolor, brindle, no ticking, solid color without ticking.
FCI standards are considerably stricter than AKC standards.
Character and psyche of coonhounds
Coonhounds all generally have the same personality. Only dogs that have been bred for hunting for many generations differ from pets. The former are more adept at hunting in packs, aggressive and attentive, but devoted to their prey. The latter are playful, energetic, patient, and wonderful family dogs.
The fact that coonhounds are among the most well-liked breeds and are even considered state symbols is not for nothing. These dogs stand out for having an intense desire to obey their owner and follow his instructions. They are cautious around strangers but never attack without cause; they don’t usually act aggressively toward people. However, they enjoy attacking small animals, particularly cats. As a result, if Kunhanta and Cats did not grow up together, it is not advised to keep them together.
Coonhounds are gregarious and energetic.
This breed of dog is patient and self-assured around kids, both puppies and older kids. They stand out for being courteous and loving at the same time; they never cower and will instead wait to be called by their owner. Although the coonhound appears to be a proud and independent dog from the outside, he actually needs to communicate. The coonhound travels well because he doesn’t mind being in new places.
Like all hounds, coonhounds are able to function well in a pack. The dog will get along with its own kind even if it was not trained in a pack. reacts to hostility aimed at it, but rarely engages in physical combat. What sets coonhounds apart is their bravery. These dogs are capable of both hunting and property and owner protection. The coonhound will charge into battle without thinking if they are in danger.
Courageous and resolute coonhounds
It is advised to start social kunhaun with active individuals who can provide the dog with at least five hours of daily attention, as loneliness can be detrimental to the dog. Long walks that provide mental and physical exercise are essential for coonhounds; otherwise, they will become bored and cause a lot of mess in the house. Furthermore, in the absence of exercise and movement, coonhounds will undoubtedly experience behavioral issues and exhibit noisy behaviors such as barking, howling, and ruining things.
Coonhound training
If this is a family dog, you should be mindful of its unwavering obedience and his attempts to thwart his attempts to harm small animals. Naturally, it is not a solution to suppress the dog’s hunting instincts. As a result, all you need to do is teach the puppy that going hunting on a walk without permission is forbidden.
The coonhound may find itself in danger if it pursues the "prey." Thus, it needs to learn the command "Come to me" first. The dog won’t be safe until it is automatic, which will require practice. Generally speaking, the OKD course will be sufficient for a comfortable life with kunshant. However, their cunning and loyalty to their owner will enable them to pick up new skills and enroll in additional training programs (UGS, agility, ZKS if desired).
Coonhounds are intelligent, obedient, and simple to train.
You can begin training a dog at six months old if it is ready for hunting. Take it hunting with mature dogs (hounds), and the puppy will pick up all the necessary skills and become accustomed to the "Fetch!" command very quickly. "Come to me." Coonhounds can be trained to go driven hunting, but their natural instinct is to drive prey up a tree and wait for their owner to return.
Coonhound care
Feeding, walking, maintenance, and overall care are all part of coonhound care.
A coonhound should eat well-balanced, premium food. Meat (animal proteins) makes up 75% of the basis, so if you feed your dog food, be sure to check the meat percentage. The feed shouldn’t be any less than the super-premium class; active dogs or those who hunt rocks can select a specific type.
Common foods that are appropriate for a coonhound include:
- Carnilove (the entire line for dogs);
- Acana (the entire line for dogs);
- Orijen (the entire line for dogs);
- Summit for large breed dogs;
- AATU for dogs (has a very high meat content).
A dog’s diet consists primarily of meat.
These foods are all grain- and gluten-free, high in protein, and in the same class as super-premium foods. The meal is served in accordance with the directions on the container.
Natural foods include vegetables, porridge, and lean meats. Some owners feed their pets only meat and sometimes some vegetables. This is also feasible if the dog is fed three to four raw eggs and 100 to 150 grams of low-fat cottage cheese each week. If not, a calcium shortage could happen. The formula determines how much main food a dog should eat each day: 40–45 g for every kg of body weight.
Selecting vitamin additives will be helpful when feeding natural foods (don’t forget to consult a veterinarian!).
Giving the Coonhound is not recommended.
- food from the human table;
- spicy, fried, fatty foods;
- onions, garlic, potatoes, cereals, spices, seasonings;
- sweets (especially chocolate);
- pork and sea fish.
For a dog, food is the foundation of health
A coonhound needs to be walked for one to two hours, at least twice a day. It should be an active walk. Teaching a dog to run alongside a bicycle is the most effective way to load it. Don’t forget, though, that a dog needs to play with its owner and learn new things in addition to running. If at all possible, try to vary your dog’s walking route more frequently to keep him from getting bored. The ideal home for a coonhound is a private residence with a garden. But if the dog gets plenty of walks, a large apartment is also fine.
A coonhound only needs to be washed two or three times a year. Every week, short hair needs to be combed out using a thick brush. The coonhound’s ears need to be treated with extra care. To ensure that an infection is not overlooked, they should be checked more frequently. They should also have an internal cleaning once every five days and a daily napkin wipe with a special lotion for cleaning dog ears.
Since coonhounds, like all hunting breeds, love to roll around in something smelly (thereby hiding their smell), you can"t do without frequent washing. My dog, although not a hunting dog, loves to give his owner "pleasant" surprises. But it is not very useful to wash a dog with shampoo often, so I spied a very effective recipe from a familiar breeder. You need to take clean sand and add a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender oil to it (not very much, just enough to kill the smell). Rub the dog well, but carefully, leave for 5 minutes and rinse. Sand will remove all the dirt, and oil will remove the unpleasant smell. It only helps short-haired dogs, because it is difficult to wash sand out of long hair.
Like all hunting dogs, coonhounds enjoy rolling around in foul-smelling materials.
Coonhounds are known for their boldness, determination, and sharp hunting instincts, making them exceptional at tracking game over long distances. With their powerful sense of smell and tireless energy, they can follow trails in tough terrain, often working independently to chase down prey. These dogs are not only skilled hunters but also loyal companions, combining their working drive with a friendly, sociable nature at home.
Coonhound diseases
Coonhounds are a robust, resilient, and health-conscious breed that was not inbred; they were descended from the same powerful hunting breeds. A family dog typically lives 14 years, while a hunting dog typically lives 10–12 years. There are certain predispositions, but the breed does not have many diseases.
Obesity
It affects a lot of hunting breeds because they require exercise. Insufficient amounts cause the dog to naturally put on weight.
How to identify obesity
- inability to feel the ribs and spine through a layer of fat;
- the dog has difficulty walking, shortness of breath appears after minor exertion;
- heart and joint problems begin;
- the dog rapidly gains weight, eats more and more.
Obesity is common in coonhounds.
In order to stop obesity, you must:
- Buy scales for your dog and carefully monitor weight changes. This will allow you to quickly adjust your diet.
- Monitor the diet, do not give more than the norm.
- Do not feed the dog uncontrollably, do not treat it outside of feeding and training.
- Treats are included in the daily diet and, if they are not fruits or vegetables, are subtracted from the daily diet.
- Lead an active lifestyle with your dog.
A veterinarian prescribes the course of treatment. It entails following a diet, working out, and occasionally taking hormonal medications.
Ear infections
All dogs with hanging ears are prone to infections because warm, humid, enclosed spaces are ideal for the growth of infections. principal symptoms
- severe itching;
- appearance of scratches and crusts;
- increased ear temperature;
- unpleasant odor;
- purulent discharge;
- negative reaction when touched;
- tilting and shaking the head in a certain direction, especially noticeable when running.
The best defense against ear infections is good ear hygiene.
Avoidance: maintaining good ear hygiene and using antiparasitic medications. veterinary medication treatment, recommended based on the nature of the infection.
Dysplasia
Any deviation from the normal in the state of the joint—such as cracks, defects, or the destruction of bone or cartilage—is referred to as "dysplasia." Large breed dogs and dogs with a genetic predisposition are affected by dysplasia. principal symptoms
- lameness or change in gait;
- decreased activity;
- swelling of the paw;
- stiffness in movement;
- inability to lean on the paw.
The severity of neglect determines how dysplasia is treated. Medication and physical therapy can be used to treat mild forms. Only hip replacement surgery or surgery can treat severe forms.
It’s essential to dose the load in puppies to avoid joint injuries.
| Characteristic | Description |
| Temperament | Coonhounds are bold, brave, and highly determined when on the hunt. |
| Hunting Skills | They are known for their strong sense of smell and excellent tracking ability, making them skilled hunters. |
| Exercise Needs | Coonhounds need plenty of physical activity to stay healthy and happy. |
| Size | They are generally medium to large dogs, strong and agile. |
| Training | Training a coonhound requires patience due to their independent and sometimes stubborn nature. |
Coonhounds are amazing canines that are renowned for their bravery and tenacity, which makes them superb hunters. They are excellent at tracking and treeing game because of their innate instincts and keen sense of smell. They are therefore a well-liked option for hunters seeking a dependable and obedient partner in the field.
Coonhounds are affectionate and gregarious dogs in addition to being proficient hunters. They get along well with kids and love spending time with their families. Even though they might have a high prey drive, with the right training, they can still be submissive and well-mannered.
A Coonhound can add excitement and loyalty to your life, whether you’re a hunter searching for a capable companion or just an active dog lover. These dogs can flourish as cherished family pets as well as hunters given the correct care and attention.
