Black & Tan Coonhound – Hound
Image: everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com
The Black and Tan Coonhound
The unmistakable hound dog with gorgeous long ears!
Image: WilleeCole Photography/Shutterstock.com
Quick Overview
Name: The Black and Tan Coonhound
Size: Up to 27 inches at the shoulder.
Weight: No more than 75 lbs when fully grown.
Temperament: Bubbly and Brave
Grooming: Once in a while.
Training: Quite stubborn but makes a great gundog.
Exercise: Around 2 hours a day.
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Origins: The United States.
Breed Type: Hound
History Behind the Black & Tan Coonhound
Since this dog was bred in the US, we know it isn’t one of the ancient breeds. It is a scent hound, meaning you will need to keep it leashed on long walks, and that it will need a big garden to blunder about in. Being made in America also means it has less of an ancestry, hence fewer health problems. In theory at least.
The Black and Tan coonhound was a deliberate invention by those exploring the American Frontiers in the era just after the American Revolution. As the hunters moved west or north, deeper into unknown territory, they took foxhounds with them to sniff out new prey. The foxhounds were a little on the small side and were British in origin originally used to hunt foxes by the nobility in England. Foxhounds were more used to long, flat stretches of land than the dense forests, however, and it became apparent that they wouldn’t work.
In exasperation, the frontiers folk turned to bloodhounds. These hardy hounds were great scent hounds but lacked the speed and persistence that they wanted. So at some point, it was decided the bloodhound and the foxhound should be crossed together. The Black and Tan Coonhound was the result of this marriage, and the raccoon hunters of America rejoiced.
This new hound was able to chase the raccoons with the boundless ferocity of the bloodhound but had the stamina of the foxhound, and with speed enough to keep up with a horse if it had to. The Black and Tan Coonhound is still used today in the ‘sport’ of hunting raccoons. The dog will chase the animal up a tree then bark to alert the hunters, who catch up with them and kill the stranded prey.
It’s all rather sad, really. But they are still Good Dogs.
Fun Facts about your New Coonhound Puppy!
Here at Five Minutes Spare we like to find the funniest, most interesting facts about your new puppy. If you find yourself in possession of a new black and tan coonhound then listen up! Here are some facts you can use to amaze anyone who asks:
- The black and tan coonhound was the very first – the first-ever – dog to be listed with a breed standard in the AKC. It happened in 1945 when the AKC first opened. Incidentally, here is the UK kennel club breed standard, too.
- Daniel Boone, famous explorer and frontiersman, was the proud owner of an exceptionally famous black and tan named Cuff. It was reportedly a mischievous boy who liked to steal coffee pots. Kentucky, his home, went on to be the unofficial breeding ground for the Coonhound.
- The coonskin cap was largely possible due to these dogs and their extraordinary hunting abilities… that’s right. The caps with the black and grey coon tail coming out the back.
- Only 48 official dog breeds have originated in the USA. You can find a full list on Wiki, but most were bred by the settlers who shipped old breeds over in an effort to crossbreed types specifically adapted to the Americas.
So if you have a Black and Tan coon puppy in the family you are exceptionally lucky. If it hadn’t been for those frontiers’ folk needing newly adapted breeds, you might have ended up with a bloodhound or a foxhound, instead.
Are They Difficult to Train?
They should be given obedience training from an early age. They should also be socialised so that they aren’t aggressive to other dogs. They are a little on the stubborn side but, like any other breed, if you are trying to train them for what they were bred for, you will get on far easier. A B&T will find hunting easy but training them to compete in dog agility courses is quite another matter.
Do They Need Lots of Exercise?
Image: everydoghasastory/Shutterstock.com
Surprisingly little for their size. Two big long walks per day and a large yard to run around in, and you will have a happy Coonhound. They are just as happy lazing in the sun as they are walking miles alongside their hunters. They are best suited to an active lifestyle if you can.
What About Grooming?
Nah, not the black and tan coonhound. They are the epitome of self-cleaning dogs. That is to say: they will jump in the river when the dirt starts to annoy them. Watch those teeth and brush them weekly and trim their nails if you have to. Otherwise, chuck a bucket of hot soapy water over them and they’ll be happy enough.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds a Healthy Breed?
As we mentioned above, they are not an ancient breed. This means they haven’t had the millions of generations yet to evolve health problems. Don’t take that as gospel, however, since problems can arise. Get their eyes, ears, and joints checked in puppyhood and again at 1 year old. This should give you a chance to catch any potential health problems before they become untreatable.
Where Can I Buy One?
You should always buy your new puppy from the nearest shelter to your home. IF you can’t pick up this breed here then try the local kennel club. They will keep a studbook which lists all the registered breeders in your country. This option allows you access to your dog’s family history, inclusive of health problems in their DNA.
Not the Right Breed for You?
The black and tan is a beauty, but they might not be for you. Perhaps something smaller would suit? An Affenpinscher maybe? You can browse our whole doggy directory over at the Five Minutes Spare home pages. pay us a visit or drop us a follow if you happen to love pups as much as we do!
