The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of dog used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon. It’s a cross between the Bloodhound, and the Black And Tan Virginia Foxhound. The Black and Tan Coonhound runs its game entirely by scent. The courage of the Coonhound also make it proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, cougar and other big game, although many US states are restricting the hunting of antlered animals with dogs. The general impression is that of power, agility and alertness, with the ability to cover ground swiftly with powerful rhythmic strides. Each hound has its own distinctive voice which is often recognisable to its owners from great distance.The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of dog used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon. It’s a cross between the Bloodhound, and the Black And Tan Virginia Foxhound. The Black and Tan Coonhound runs its game entirely by scent. The courage of the Coonhound also make it proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, cougar and other big game, although many US states are restricting the hunting of antlered animals with dogs. The general impression is that of power, agility and alertness, with the ability to cover ground swiftly with powerful rhythmic strides. Each hound has its own distinctive voice which is often recognisable to its owners from great distance.
Appearance
The breed standard for Black and Tan Coonhounds is as follows:
Eyes are hazel to brown
Ears are extremely long, wide, and thin, set low and far back on the dog’s head, hanging well down the neck.
Their black and tan markings are similar to the Doberman Pinscher and the Rottweiler but have key distinguishing differences from these breeds. The most prominent are the long tails and ears, and their loud, baying bark.
Legs are long in proportion to the body length, muscular and finely modelled.
The tail is set slightly below the natural line of the back, strongly tapered, and carried at a right angle, when the dog is alert or excited.
23 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) at the shoulder
8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) head (back of skull to tip of nose)
65 to 130 pounds (29 to 59 kg)
Males are typically larger and heavier boned than females.
Health
Generally healthy, but there is some risk of hip dysplasia, ear cancer and other ear infections, and eye problems.
Temperament
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a gentle, adaptable, and lovable dog. Many are easy-going and people-friendly, and the Black and Tan Coonhound is happiest when performing the work it has been bred for. Easily distracted by their incredible sense of smell, these dogs require patient handling and encouragement. Though most are trusting and sweet-natured, Black and Tan puppies require a fair amount of encouragement to boost their confidence, especially when living indoors as pets. Black and Tan Coonhounds are happy to be couch-potatoes when given plenty of exercise, and they enjoy the company of their human family. Black and Tans may seem cautious or nervous around strangers or unfamiliar dogs, but will socialise well with time, as they are bred to hunt and work in packs. They don’t become senior citizens until about ten years old, and will be active, fun-loving buddies for their first decade.
The Black and Tan is best known as a raccoon hunter, the breed has also been used very successfully to hunt other types of game such as bear, stag, oppossum, deer and mountain lion – even on difficult terrain. It withstands well the rigours of winter as well as intense heat. Some of the Black and Tan Coonhound talents include hunting, tracking, watchdogging, and agility. Black and Tan Coonhounds are the only breed officially recognised as Coonhounds by the American Kennel Club.
This breed drools and slobbers, a trait that can be troublesome. This breed is not well-suited for someone who is looking for a quiet dog; Black and Tan Coonhounds, like all Coonhounds, are quite vocal and will bark and howl often.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are effective at warning their owners when a stranger enters the yard. Their bark sounds threatening to strangers, but they are unlikely to actually bite unless they sense danger or they or their pack are threatened.
Though not seen frequently in urban areas, they enjoy popularity in rural areas. It is said that Coonhounds are found on the porch of more rural homes in the United States than any other breed. While that is not a statistical fact, their place on the AKC registered breeds list ranks them as one of the more popular breeds.
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