American Black and Tan Coonhound

American Black and Tan Coonhound

This is an excellent tracking dog in its determined pursuit of its quarry. This dog is often known as the "treeing hound," as it forces the raccoon to take refuge in a tree.

History:

The American Black and Tan Coonhound has a most impressive ancestry. This dog was bred from a combination of the Talbot Hound from the eleventh century, the Foxhound, the Kerry Beagle from Ireland, the Bloodhound, and the American Virginia Foxhound. The American Black and Tan Coonhound was bred especially for the local conditions of tracking and treeing raccoons and opossums.

Physical characteristics:

The American Black and Tan Coonhound is a large powerful dog with an athletic build. Height: 23 - 27 in (58 - 69 cm). Weight: 55 - 75 lb (25 - 34 kg). This dog has the appearance of a classic hound. The well-set, light brown eyes reveal the dog's intelligence as they look out at you over a long square muzzle. The long drooping ears are set well back on the large well-proportioned head.

This dog has a long powerful neck with a muscular yet athletic body. The long tail usually flows down towards the ground but is held upright when the dog is alert. The dense coat is short and, as the name suggests, is colored black with tan markings above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, and on the lower extremities of the legs and feet.

Behavior:

The American Black and Tan Coonhound gains a degree of confidence from its large size and appears to be a very well-balanced dog. This animal is very intelligent and perfectly bred for the tasks of tracking and chasing. This very alert dog makes an excellent watch-dog. It acts as a real deterrent when it sounds off its magnificent hound-like bark. Unlike its smaller cousins, the American Black and Tan Coonhound also satisfies the requirements of a true guard dog, as it can be very territorial.

This dog is normally very gregarious and gets along very well with other dogs. Understandably, care should be taken so as not to upset the social hierarchy when several of these hounds are kept together. Generally, these American Black and Tan Coonhounds are kept as working dogs. However, where they are to be kept as companion animals, they should be socialized with people when they are puppies. Their large size and robust physique mean they are not normally scared of larger children and can become excellent companions, although care should be taken that smaller children do not get bowled over in rough games. Never leave small children unattended with several hounds together.

The American Black and Tan Coonhound is a marvel to watch as it nimbly races across difficult terrain. It should be provided with lots of exercise and thrives if given regular tasks. Bored, under-exercised dogs have a tendency to become snappy and unhappy. This well-mannered dog is readily trainable with an assertive owner, who will be rewarded with a very loyal hound. The American Black and Tan Coonhound is a tenacious dog. Once it fully understands the task it will tirelessly keep at it until it succeeds.

This dog has few common ailments but its feet should be checked after working, and particular attention should be given to its ears. The large hanging ears may be susceptible to infections or become damaged during a chase. A truly magnificent working dog.

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