Coon Dogs

Coon hounds and coon dogs come in several different breeds, each with their own strengths, weaknesses and fan clubs!
Below are our articles providing in-depth information on various coon dog breeds, caring for your dogs, and things to think about when selecting a dog.

The Curs and Feists Coon Hounds

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hound • 0 Comments

While breeders of different coonhounds were refining their breeding programs back in the 1700s and 1800s, rural America needed a hardy dog that would hunt, and also be protective of the family. Pioneering settlers in the Southern states bred their own working dogs. The result is the Cur dog, of which there are now a number of different breeds.

All of these varieties are derived from a scenthound of some kind, possibly the red bone coonhound, and their bloodline includes a mix of other breeds of dogs. For example, the Texas blue lacy Cur likely has greyhound or whippet forefathers, and it’s speculated that there may even be coyote. The Catahoula Cur dog is likely a mix of a type of French scenthound and Spanish mastiff, and there is a (however unlikely) chance there are some red wolf genes in there too.

Another hardy dog bred to be a good hunter and protector is the Feist. The Feist was likely bred from fox terriers, greyhounds and beagles, all brought over to the United States with English miners. Like the Cur dog, there are many types of Feist, but they are smaller than other hunting dogs, barely reaching 18 inches from feet to shoulders.

Both the Curs and the Feists coon hounds are primarily bred to be hardy, fearless hunters and protectors that can endure a days or even weeks hard work non-stop. The Cur dog is an all-purpose tree dog, with a medium nose. Curs are used to hunt and chase raccoons and other varmints, mountain lion and bear, and in Louisiana and Texas they are also used to hunt wild pigs. They are great stock dogs, working well with cattle in particular.

Protective and courageous, they will guard the home, but they are gentle and loving members of the family. They are similar to coonhounds in temperament, in that their nose rules their behavior, but they are less stubborn and more responsive, so an absolute delight to have indoors. They are bred to be hard working dogs, and therefore, like the coonhounds, need to be worked or exercised regularly, preferably as a hunter or stock dog to prevent boredom and associated destructiveness.

Feists

Feists are rugged little dogs and make great squirrel dogs, for which they are now primarily bred for hunting. They’re also efficient at chasing other small quarry such as rabbits and rats, and great to have around the home and property because they will eliminate all vermin, and keep them away as well. As

Feists are smaller, they’re able to get into rabbit and other small varmints burrows and nests and seek out litters of babies, before they become a problem. These dogs have an immense amount of energy, like the fox terrier, and they have a keen sense of smell.

Feists also hunt with their eyes and ears alert, and because they form such a tight bond with their handler, they’re very responsive to commands, even while pursuing an animal. They fit in well at home, especially as they’re smaller, and the strong relationship they build with their main hunting buddy can extend to the rest of the family, possibly including a cat who can stand its ground!

Health

Both the Cur and the Feist are free of any particular health vulnerabilities, and live long lives, approximately 12-16 years.

Overall, both the Cur and the Feist dogs are extremely robust, able to work hard, play hard and they can be a loving member of the family they will guard and protect.

If the Cur or Feist isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

Treeing Walker Coon Hounds

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hounds • 0 Comments

The treeing Walker coonhound is a beautiful and highly skilled hunting companion.

A Mr. Thomas Walker brought an English foxhound to Virginia in 1742 and it is speculated that the breed has descended from an accidental pairing of a cross-bred hound and one of the later English related Virginia foxhounds.

Treeing Walker coon hounds were finally acknowledged as an official breed in 1945 and while they have retained the rich coloring of the Walker fox hound, their hunting style is now quite different. These dogs will track and chase a raccoon until it runs up a tree, and the loud call of the coonhound alerts his handler that the tracking is over.

Treeing Walker coon hounds are fast and locate their quarry very quickly, but they’ll also chase all day and all night if necessary, such is their endurance and stamina. A raccoon may find itself up a tree in no time at all, with the coonhound calling his handler with his distinctive baying call. These dogs may also bark very loudly after treeing an animal, making it easier for them to be located.

Despite their name, coonhounds will chase many other animals and the treeing Walker coonhound is no exception. This breed has been used to hunt everything from rats to bears, alone or with other dogs, and they’re exceptionally effective. T

heir melodic howl and ability to climb trees to corner their quarry is attractive to hunters who want a reliable hunting coonhound they can easily find.

Of the coonhounds, the treeing Walker has a much less ‘cold’ nose, so is best suited for tracking recent quarry, and may even be distracted from a chase by a fresher track they find. Their hot-nosed tendencies make them excellent field trial dogs, and their speed gives them a very competitive edge.

While these coonhounds have razor-sharp scent tracking skills and enviable endurance for long hunts, they also make wonderful members of the family, enjoying being snuggled up in a warm house. It is well-known among treeing Walker coonhound owners that it can be difficult to coax a comfortable warm dog out for a hunt, although they relish the chase and the exercise once you can.

They are intelligent dogs, and require very consistent training to ensure they don’t lapse into any bad behaviors. Treeing Walker coonhounds will find any tiny gap of opportunity to get away with something they’re not supposed to be doing, just like a human, if they get bored they’ll come up with ways to make things more interesting. A hunting-trained treeing Walker will need very high fences at home, as they are capable of scrambling over anything 6 feet or even higher.

Potential Concerns

Generally speaking, treeing Walker coonhounds are healthy dogs with no strong pre-disposition to particular ailments, even as they get older. However, some dogs may suffer from coonhound paralysis, an allergic reaction to raccoon saliva, if they’re bitten. Otherwise, they are known to have rather sensitive digestive systems and a plain diet with no human food treats is advised.

They may chew on grass or other leaves to settle an upset stomach. Treeing Walker coonhounds are unlikely to put on extra fat, they are naturally very lean and even a well fed and nourished dog can sometimes look quite skinny.

Overall, the treeing Walker coonhound is a fantastic hunting buddy to have if you’re keen on following fresh tracks or you’re thinking of entering into field trial competitions. They’ll fit well into a family environment, they are affectionate and unperturbed by small children – they can even learn not to chase the family cat.

If the Treeing Walker isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The Plott Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hounds • 0 Comments

The Plott coonhound’s bloodline originates in Germany, it is the only coonhound that does not have its roots in English bred hounds, like the other seven coonhound breeds. The Plott coonhound history is better known than the English derived coonhounds.

Five Hanovarian hounds – German-bred brindle and hunting dogs – were brought to America by German immigrant Johannes Plott in 1750, and he settled in the Great Smoky Mountains of western North Carolina and Tennessee. The Hanovarian hounds were hounds bred for stamina, cold-nose and instinct to chase big ferocious game animals, like wild boar and bear, but adapted quickly and also became exceptional hunters of deer, mountain lion, bobcat and raccoon.

It was Johannes Plott’s son, Henry Plott, who continued to breed these Hanovarian hounds after they were given to him by his father. They quickly became known for their incredible skill in tracking and treeing the American black bear and by 1850 were well-known in Northern Carolina and nearby regions as intelligent, versatile and exceptional capable hunting hounds.

Strengths of the Plott Coon Hound

Due to the breeding of the Plott coonhound, it is more of a big game hunter than a coon dog, and is appropriately fearless and aggressive on a hunt. They are particularly committed to each hunt, seemingly unable to feel pain while on the chase and if they have to fight they often will not stop until they are severely injured.

They also develop the typical coonhound ‘selective hearing’ when pursuing quarry, and sing the melodic coonhound song when they have treed an animal, although this is higher pitched that other coonhounds. While the Plott coonhound is still a popular hunting dog, they are also desirable as pets, particularly as they are especially protective of their family and make wonderful watch-dogs.

Potential Problems of Plott Coon Hounds

The Plott coonhound is not as strong-willed or dominant as some of the other coonhound breeds but they do still need consistent leadership, training and extensive exercise and work to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

They also differ from the other coonhounds while trailing a scent – they have a homing instinct and will not just pursue an animal to the ends of the earth like other coonhounds, often able to find their way back home very quickly.

The Plott coonhound, similar to the other large coonhounds may suffer from hip dysplasia. Particular to Plott coonhound is the tendency toward gastric bloat, therefore feeding small amounts at a time is important – wolfing down a large meal is likely to induce gastric bloat in a prone coonhound.

Other conditions, such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) and thrombopathia (a platelet disorder) are known to affect these dogs at times. Apart from a few coonhounds that are afflicted, the majority are otherwise healthy, energetic dogs who may live up to 15 years.

This very different colored coonhound is incredibly hard-working, and capable of hunting all but the very largest game, while still being a big gentle family dog that will fit into an active outdoors loving family beautifully.

If the Plott Coonhound isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The Redbone Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hound • 0 Comments

The handsome rich red of the Redbone coonhound comes from its Scottish roots. In the 1800s, after other coonhounds had been bred from the English hounds that been in America since the 1700s, Scottish immigrants brought their foxhounds, which were deep red in color, into Georgia.

The Irish bred bloodhounds and foxhounds were imported in the mid-1800s and the resulting hound from those Scottish and Irish hounds was the early Redbone, so named after Tennessee dog breeder Peter Redbone. As the early Redbone coonhound breed grew, they were bred specific attributes more suited to game hunting in America. Traits such as being able to climb trees to a certain extent, undaunted by larger, fierce prey and incredible agility were desirable.

Strengths of the Redbone Coon Hound

Now, these characteristics help hunters all over America but the Redbone coonhound is virtually unheard of in other parts of the world. The breed is particularly special as they possess comparable skill to retrievers in the water, and as well as water-game and small animal prey, they will very successfully track and corner bears and other large game.

Redbone coonhounds are tireless and energetic when hunting and produce a wonderful melodic baying call when they have a treed raccoon for example, and are a joy to hunt with, they have an infectious energy. However, this breed can also be calm and laid-back, some say even enough to live in an apartment, as long as there’s opportunity for hunting and exercise.

Many Redbone coonhounds are working dogs on farms, and are able to work hard all day and then relax with the family by the fire in the evening. They’re also extremely affectionate, and good with children and other animals, and are not aggressive with strangers. However, the Redbone coonhound matures slowly, and the boisterous puppies will not realize how strong or big they are, which can lead to some unintended rough-and-tumble.

Consistent and applied training is important so that the Redbone coonhound is well-behaved enough to be with their family as much as possible, as they will become very unhappy and pine if left out of the family group. No training is required for a hunt, however, and Redbone coonhounds will always find a scent to follow whether you want them to or not. If Redbone coonhounds are not hunting, they will not make much noise, although they will alert anyone to strangers on the property.

Potential Problems of the Redbone Coon Hound

Of all the coonhounds, the Redbone coonhound is the breed most likely to put on weight if overfed, even though by nature they are very active. However, this can lead to obesity if the problem is not addressed, and another health condition, hip dysplasia, may worsen if it is a problem.

Hip dysplasia is not more likely in the Redbone coonhound than in other coonhounds or breeds, but a problem for all large dogs. These wonderful dogs can often have eye problems, usually later in life if they do, however they are overall extremely healthy and usually live 12-14 years.

The beautiful Redbone coonhound is a great companion for the whole family, and a very happy dog indeed if hunting is a regular part of their lives. Their tolerance of children and other pets is markedly different from other coonhounds, and they are very gentle once they have matured. While this is slow, both mentally and physically, the hard work training together will establish an extremely strong bond with this breed.

If the Redbone isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The Blue Tick Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hound • 0 Comments

The Blue tick coon hound is an affectionate fun-loving dog with a keen and unshakeable tracking instinct. Originating in Southern USA in the early 1900s they were recognized as a breed of their own in 1945, like the other distinct coonhound breeds of today.

The Bluetick coonhound is the Tennessee state dog, a throw back to their Southern roots, although of course now they are bred and homed all over the world. Their Bluetick color is inherited from the Grand Bleu de Gascoigne, a French scenthound, from which the foxhounds and English coonhound are descendants.

The color is actually black and white, but the speckled, merle effect takes on a blue roan hue. The foxhounds and English coonhound were bred to be faster than the French hound, which is more suited to American hunting. These faster breeds were the progenitors of the Bluetick, which hunters selectively bred for their hunting skills. However, the trend toward breeding even faster hot-nosed coonhounds was not popular with hunters and trackers who desired the cold nosed ability, so they bred for endurance and tracking skill. The Bluetick coonhound might be slower than his hot-nosed cousins, but he is resolute and determined and will find and pursue his quarry from older ‘cold’ trails.

Strenghts of the Blue Tick Coon Hound

Bluetick coonhounds are passionate hunters and their instinct to chase is very strong which, of course, is desirable in a hunting coonhound. Coonhounds are known for their distinctive baying, or calling when they have pursued an animal up a tree and the Bluetick coonhound is no exception.

They are also known as ‘free tonguers’ which means they have a different ‘bugle’ or call throughout the hunt’s progress, and expert Bluetick coonhound handlers will recognize each call and know which stage of the hunt their hound is at. Bluetick coonhounds will chase anything smaller than them, but they are fearless and will also pursue larger, fiercer game such as bears. They are excellent night hunters, and have extremely good eyesight. Unfortunately, they are prone to cataracts in their older years.

Bluetick coonhounds are headstrong dogs can tend toward boisterous, pushy behavior if they are not convinced you are the unflappable and consistent leader they need. Otherwise they are intelligent, like all coonhound breeds, and because they are very devoted, often make very good companion dogs. Similar to all the coonhounds, the Bluetick is mellow and quiet indoors, and will settle into family life very well so long as he is able to exercise, especially if that involves hunting and tracking.

They’re smart and curious dogs and enjoy the challenge of a chase. The Bluetick coonhound is tolerant with children, but cannot be trusted with smaller non-canine animals. Their innate drive to track and hunt is so strong that they’re very likely to chase any other pet, regardless of the handler’s protests.

Potential Problems of the Blue Tick Coon Hound

All droopy-eared dogs, like the Bluetick coonhound, are especially prone to ear infections so it is very important their ears are kept clean. The Bluetick coonhound may get cataracts as it gets older as mentioned above; however, there are two more serious conditions these dogs are vulnerable to. Like the Black and Tan coonhound, the Bluetick coonhound is predisposed to hip dysplasia.

Unfortunately Bluetick coonhounds can get or carry Krabbe disease, a rare and often fatal degenerative illness that attacks the nerves. It may seem like these are daunting obstacles when selecting a Bluetick coonhound, but the average life span of these beautiful dogs is 10-12 years old.

These charismatic coonhounds are very loyal and hard-working, they enjoy affection and if they are physically and mentally given exercise and work to do regularly, they will happily relax with the family at home.

If the Blue Tick isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The American English Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • 0 Comments

The American English coonhound is the first coonhound bred from true English foxhounds to adapt to the rigorous terrain of America, and the forefather of almost all the American coonhounds. Early pioneering settlers, including Mr. Thomas Walker and the first president of the United States George Washington, brought English scenthounds to America in 1742, and they continued breeding with different hounds until the American English coonhound became a fast hot-nosed hunting dog.

The American English coonhound is also referred to as the English coonhound and the Redtick coonhound, as the breed is largely speckled red and white, giving the dog a mottled red appearance, although can also be blue ticked, making them easily confused with the Bluetick coonhound.

The American English coonhound was first registered as the English Fox and coonhound in 1905, and finally recognized as the American English coonhound in 1995, 50 years after their descendants the Treeing Walker coonhound and the Bluetick coonhound were registered as separate breeds.

Strengths of the American English Coon Hound

The American English coonhound is fast, hot-nosed and therefore very popular for hunters who compete in coonhunting trials, and hunters who prefer to tree raccoons or other prey at night, when many small varmints are active. This breed also hunts or chases their prey up trees, using the typical melodic coonhound baying, or short choppy barking to alert the hunter that an animal has been ‘treed’.

They have a one track mind while tracking a scent and can be much less responsive once the chase is on. It is this strong-willed stubborn nature that enables them to pursue prey for a long time, however it does mean the American English coonhound needs patient, persistent training for the dog to function well as a hunter with his handler, or as a part of the family.

They also need work and exercise to be physically and mentally challenged otherwise they may become bored and high-strung. However, a well exercised and happy American English coonhound is a very loyal member of his family, they are typically good-natured and very good with children.

Their instinct to pursue prey is very strong and they should not be introduced to other smaller pets such as cats, unless they’re very young and learn not to chase the family cat. These coonhounds, while beautiful dogs, are natural ‘nesters’ and will be drawn to the corner of the couch or bed, and should be avoided by people who prefer their dog to curl up on his own bed.

The American English coonhound is a determined and strong hunter, a great family member, and also a very good watch-dog. Their voice is an extremely loud call or howl, and their barking is sharp and choppy and will get attention. Unfortunately they are not the best guard dog, however, because their sociable nature is very accepting of anybody not presenting a real danger or threat and they will quickly make friends.

Potential Problems with the American English Coon Hound

Like a few of the large coonhounds, the American English coonhound is prone to hip dysplasia, and their droopy ears make them susceptible to ear infections unless cleaned regularly. As they get older they may develop progressive retinal atrophy, and become blinded. Although these dogs were bred largely in Southern states of America, they can get overheated while hunting during the summer months in the South.

The forefather of the hot-nosed, fast tracking coonhound is a handsome dog who if exercised and trained well enough is a calm and loving family pet as well as a great hunter.

If the American English isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The American Leopard Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hound • 0 Comments

The variety of colors that an American Leopard hound can display is as colorful as its history. The American Leopard hound is a descendant of hounds, likely Molossers and Greyhounds, brought to the new world by Spanish conquistadors and mated with native American Indian dogs. They were bred to hunt bear, primarily, and may have been cross-bred with a number of other breeds of hound and cur during their breed evolution.

Strengths of the American Leopard Coon Hound

The American Leopard hound is an all-purpose tree dog, hardy and able to put up with temperature extremes. This breed is built fast and tough, with thick heavy skinned paw-pads and a dense but smooth coat and huge stamina. They excel in their ability to track for miles and then hold game at bay for long periods of time without getting injured.

American Leopard hounds are generally silent until they reach their prey, and often track ‘head up’ so they have their eyes and ears alert as well as their legendary cold-nose. They’ll trail their quarry and then ‘bail it up’, looking the animal in the eye, and do everything from yodel, squall, bawl and bark both to intimidate their cornered animal, and to alert the hunter of their position.

American Leopard hounds are referred to as ‘chop-mouthed’, meaning that they largely bark in a loud choppy voice, rather than baying like most coonhounds do, although as mentioned above they have plenty of other calls they might use.

One of the main differences between this breed and other coonhounds is that while they are also extremely intelligent, they have a desire to please and because of this are easier to train than other coonhounds. Importantly, it also means that they will respond to voice commands during a hunt, they are not aloof and independent, and can work with the hunter more closely if necessary.

The American Leopard hound is a great addition to the household. Because he is easier to train and eager to please, training this breed for being indoors is a breeze and they work in well with any family. This breed is also a great playmate and very friendly. While they are friendly with people they know, they can be a very dependable guard dog, as their intelligence enables them to discern if someone on the premises is up to no good. American Leopard hounds have such a loud bark, they will either scare an intruder away, or alert any neighbors.

This breed is also an excellent farm work dog for moving livestock. They use intimidation to scare livestock to move rather than just blocking their way, or barking loudly as other stock dogs will do. For cattle in particular this can be more effective; however, this method may be too much for sheep, who scare a lot more easily and move erratically with a big growling dog in front of them.

Problems to Watch Out For

As with many large dogs, coonhounds included, the American Leopard hound is prone to hip dysplasia. They also carry a genetic mutation which can lead to deafness. This deafness gene is associated with coat color and if the coat is predominantly white the dog has an 80% chance of being bi-laterally deaf, or have unilateral deafness.

The ability to more easily train an American Leopard hound, and also be able to communicate commands makes this coonhound a delight, especially for hunters who like to be in contact with their hunting buddy. Being eager to please is not a common characteristic of coonhounds so this may be an important consideration with this breed. Their coats display many different and incredible colors and patterns and no two American Leopard hounds are really alike. Their friendly nature and easy-going intelligence make this coonhound a wonderful family pet and worker.

If the American Leopard isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

The Black and Tan Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: hound • 0 Comments

The Black and Tan coonhound is big, powerful and a tenacious tracker. Similar to the Treeing Walker coonhound, the Black and Tan breed was recognized in 1945 after a long history of working and hunting in the United States. The rich folk had their imported English foxhounds, but the working class needed a hardy tracker who would help them put meat on the table, so they bred their own hard working coonhound.

Black and Tan coonhounds earned the nickname ‘settlers dogs’ because they were the typical type of dog a family might have in the 1700s. The blood-lines of the St Hubert bloodhound, the Talbot hound, the foxhound and the Virginia foxhound are generally thought to have contributed to the Black and Tan coonhound breed, in particular their hunting and tracking abilities.

Strengths of the Black and Tan Coon Hound

It’s been said of the bloodhound that it’s really just a nose with a dog attached to it, and the same could be said of the Black and Tan coonhound. The painstaking and insistent way this breed of coonhound tracks scent make them invaluable, long after the trail has ‘gone cold’. This dog will follow a trail determinedly if he detects even the faintest whiff of scent, and they are known for treeing raccoons long after their handler has given up.

They have one of the best cold noses in the business and this ability to find and follow a very old trail scent has proven indispensible in search and rescue operations as well as hunting. Like other coonhounds, the Black and Tan coonhound calls to his handler when he has ‘treed’ his chase.

Each Black and Tan coonhound has a distinctive voice of his own, and a handler learns to recognize the triumphant call of his own dog when he’s tracked his quarry down. Of course, the Black and Tan coonhound will track and tree many more animals than just raccoons, and have even been used to hunt bears.

Once a Black and Tan coonhound is on a trail, they may develop ‘selective hearing’. Their innate tracking talent can take over, and off they go. Firm, patient and consistent leadership is needed as Black and Tan coonhounds are independent thinkers; they need to problem solve when following scent trails, but this brainpower can lead to misbehavior without proper care and training. These dogs are mellow, calm and unobtrusive when indoors and are a great member of the family, but their needs for work and exercise should be met or they can become bored and destructive.

This breed is a big strong working dog, and is ‘all terrain’. Black and Tan coonhounds will work in all weather and conditions, coping incredibly well with both very cold and very hot temperatures. However, the Black and Tan coonhound can be prone to hip dysplasia, like it’s forefather, the bloodhound. Other than that unfortunate inheritance, these dogs are very healthy, although their big droopy ears can become infected if they’re not kept clean.

These beautiful, intelligent dogs are great watchdogs, as they are extremely loyal and have an incredibly loud bark. They’re also very big – they can be almost 30 inches tall from foot to shoulder, so they can be a very imposing deterrent to anybody not welcome. Despite their size, the Black and Tan coonhound is very agile, and is well suited to competing in agility trials – in temperament as well as ability, they love the challenge.

The Black and Tan coonhound is a wonderful hunting partner, he’ll outrun you easily and come back asking for more and you couldn’t have a more dedicated buddy. They’re also wonderful with children, unless little ones keep pulling their tail, they’re extremely patient!

If the Black and Tan isn’t for you, consider one of the other Coon Hound Breeds.

Which Coon Dog Should I Choose?

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: breeding • 0 Comments

Choosing a coonhound is a fairly important decision, as each breed has different characteristics, even though essentially, they’re all good-natured, they will all trail a scent, tree a raccoon or other animal, and let their handler know where they are by baying melodically once their quarry is cornered.

All coonhounds need good leadership, gentle correction to any undesirable behavior, and time spent on consistent training. They also must be able to exhibit natural hunting behavior and get enough exercise that they don’t become high-strung and frustrated, as this boredom may cause them to be destructive. Both good training and enough exercise and work are very important and if you cannot provide both, then you should consider another type of dog for your needs.

Different Breeds of Coon Hounds to Consider:

Once the decision to get a coonhound has been made, you need to think about which breed will best hunt the type of quarry you hunt, in what conditions, has the kind of temperament that best fits in with your lifestyle, how dedicated you are to being consistent in your training, and many other things you might not have considered until you think about the traits that make each coonhound it’s own breed. Below are just some considerations you should be thinking about, and suggestions of coonhounds to fit your needs.

Which Coon Dog Should I Choose?

Things to consider:

If you’d like to compete in field trials, you’re likely to want one of the fast, hot-nosed breeds, such as the Treeing Walker coonhound, or the American English coonhound. However, the American English coonhound does not do as well in intense heat, so if you live somewhere that will be very hot when you’re out hunting, the Treeing Walker coonhound may be the best choice of the two.

If you’d like to hunt huge ferocious game, you’re likely to want a Plott coonhound or an American Leopard hound. While the other coonhounds are commonly described as fearless, the Plott coonhound is particularly aggressive when cornering large game, and the American Leopard hound is very good at holding large game for long periods of time, without getting injured, due to quick sidestepping movements and staring down their quarry.

Some hunters will prefer that their coonhound goes and does it’s job of tracking and treeing, while others will value a closer relationship with their coonhound on the hunt. The Plott coonhound will still be responsive during the hunt, while the Black and Tan coonhound steadily follows a trail without commands and will let a hunter know when he’s treed the raccoon. A Bluetick coonhound will call throughout the hunt, letting the hunter know what stage of pursuing the game he is at.

If you have other pets, or small children, maybe a baby on the way, then you do not want a Redbone coonhound, at least not until he’s over two years old. This is because they mature very slowly and are likely to be boisterous rowdy puppies, even when they’re bodies look like adult dogs, they can play rough without realizing.

A Feist might be more appropriate, particularly as they’re extremely protective. They’re also small, and if you like to hunt small game, perhaps with children accompanying, then the Feist is a good choice, and able to get down rabbit holes as well as chase squirrels.

These are just a few examples of the kinds of situations you should think about when choosing a coonhound. Your coonhound must be able to fit well into your life, not just your hunting, as they need to be a part of the pack, and in the case of getting a single dog, that pack is your family.

The Cross-Bred Coon Hound

November 27, 2014 by Hunter • Coon Dogs • Tags: breeding • 0 Comments

The term ‘cross-bred’ when referring to coonhounds in particular is a little misleading as the coonhound has been originally cross-bred with various breeds. They are each now a pure breed recognized in their own right, however many years of cross breeding hounds, coonhounds and foxhounds have produced today’s coonhounds recognized by kennel clubs. There are two types of cross-bred coon hound.

Coonhound to coonhound crosses are the result of two different breeds of coonhound breeding, for example a Treeing Walker coonhound with a Black and Tan coonhound. These ‘mixed’ coonhounds can be expected to display usual coonhound characteristics, as many have the same qualities. However, certain traits may be diluted, or expressed more strongly.

A very simplified example of this might be that the very hot-nosed, fast paced Treeing Walker coonhound’s offspring are less hot-nosed, and rather slower, when their other parent is the Black and Tan. Another example here would be that the offspring of the Black and Tan coonhound, who gain weight easily might be more naturally lean, when the other parent is a Treeing Walker.

An English coonhound may father less stubborn offspring, if the other parent is a Plott coonhound, as they are eager to please. Largely, any coonhound/coonhound cross-bred offspring are still going to be great trackers, with brilliant noses, and a wonderful call when they have treed their quarry.

A cross between a coonhound and a different type of dog, such as a different type of hound or a retriever for example, could result in an absolutely delightful dog. There is also a risk that an undesirable genetic combination may be expressed and the animal is more predisposed to illness.

However, most often this is not the case, and in fact the offspring of two different types of dogs may be very hardy and resistant to disease and infection. This is an example of ‘hybrid-vigor’, where the effect of higher genetic diversity between the two breeds is less likely to show weaknesses, whether in the look of the dog or the basic health of the dog.

Some real examples of these cross-bred coonhounds include the Boxer/Black and Tan coonhound cross, the Golden Labrador/Treeing Walker coonhound cross, the Beagle and Bluetick coonhound cross, and Husky/Black and Tan coonhound cross, but there are an immense amount possibilities of combinations.

• The Boxer/Black and Tan coonhound cross looked like a Black and Tan in form, but had the Boxer tan coloring. He was also more eager to please, and so responded well walking on the leash.

• A Labrador/Treeing Walker coonhound cross exhibited enormous amounts of energy and extreme happiness at greeting people, likely a combination of the two working dogs’ high energy levels and the Labrador’s easy affection for everyone.

• The Beagle and Bluetick coonhound cross-breed was the result of two very vocal dogs and she would even call and bay while chasing birds around the garden, and very loudly too. She could also tree a raccoon with the best of them, even though her shorter legs slowed her down a bit.

• The Husky and Black and Tan coonhound cross was apparently so adorable that people asked where they could get one – a mostly black Husky with slightly droopy ears who had an even colder nose – referred to as the ‘frozen’ nose.

Cross-bred coonhounds can be wonderful, but they may have some unexpected and undesirable traits that may not be good for the family who adopts one, or the dog itself. However, remembering how gentle and calm a well-exercised coonhound can be and how well they fit into the family home, may be enough to convince someone to give a cross-bred coonhound a home.

1 2