Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound moderate build gives it a blend of strength, speed and agility. It is square or slightly longer than tall, with moderate bone. Its long ears may help stir up ground scents. Its deep muzzle allows room for olfactory apparatus. Its deep voice enables the hunter to locate the dog when it has treed its quarry. Its hair is short but dense, providing an all-weather-protective coat. Its expression is alert, friendly and eager. Its stride is easy and graceful, with head and tail held high.

Not the prototypical house dog, the black and tan coonhound, nonetheless, makes an exemplary pet. It is mellow, amiable, calm and unobtrusive indoors. Outdoors, its strong hunting instincts take over, and it can be difficult, if not impossible, to turn from a track after it starts trailing. As befitting a dog with its heritage, the black and tan is strong, independent and stubborn. It is gentle and tolerant with children, but it may be too independent to satisfy a playful child. It is reserved with strangers.

The Black and Tan Coonhound (also known as the ‘American Black and Tan Coonhound’) is an American breed likely deriving from crosses between the Bloodhound and the black and tan Virginia Foxhound. It was bred to ‘tree’ (track through the treetops) bears and raccoons over rugged terrain in the Appalachian and Ozark mountain ranges. The Black and Tan Coonhound hunts by scent with its nose to the ground like a bloodhound. It was usually deployed at night, trained to chase its prey up a tree and bay at it until the hunter arrived for the kill. In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the first Coonhound variety to be recognized by the American Kennel Club. The Redbone Coonhound and Plott Hound were later recognized in the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class; other varieties are the Treeing Walker Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, and English Coonhound. Today, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a more popular hunting dog than show dog or pet. Competitive night raccoon hunts with Black and Tan Coonhounds are a popular practice.