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Black and Tan Coonhound

easy-going / bright / brave
Hound Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

25-27 inches (male)

23-25 inches (female)

Weight

65-110 pounds

Life Expectancy

10-12 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    80% 80%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    60% 60%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    40% 40%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    80% 80%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    60% 60%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    60% 60%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    40% 40%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    60% 60%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    60% 60%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

Black and Tan Coonhounds are amiable, easygoing hounds who enjoy companionship. They are large, agile hunters who work at night. They are snoozy by the fire but aggressive when on the hunt for the cunning raccoon. The Black and Tan Coonhound is a true American classic.

Black and Tans have an exceptionally sensitive noses, long, silky ears, and a gentle demeanor. The rich tan accents on the coal-black coat, notably the characteristic ‘pumpkin seeds’ over acutely expressive eyes, are a standout. A good-sized male can stand 27 inches tall at the shoulder and cover the ground with smooth, enthusiastic strides. Black and Tan Coonhounds are outgoing dogs. A lonely Black and Tan Coonhound will serenade the neighborhood with mournful music.’ Black and Tan Coonhounds can keep up with even the most active household, but they can also occupy the sofa for hours on end. A passing squirrel can stimulate Black and Tan Coonhound prey drive in no time, thus a firm leash and sturdy fence are essential. Black and Tan Coonhounds may be too many dogs for every owner’s lifestyle.

What To Expect When Caring For a Black and Tan Coonhound

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The Black and Tan is a strong breed with few health difficulties, and a professional breeder will test breeding stock for health issues including hip dysplasia, cataracts, and thyroid problems. The ears of the Black and Tan should be checked weekly for symptoms of infection. Teeth should be brushed on a regular basis, as with other breeds.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Hip Evaluation
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

The Black and Tan Coonhound has a short, dense coat that is shed once or twice a year. Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove will remove the dead hair before it can fall onto the furniture. Grooming also promotes new hair growth and distributes skin oils throughout the coat to keep it healthy. Black and Tans should be bathed occasionally to keep them from developing a doggy odor. As with all breeds, the Black and Tan's nails should be trimmed regularly, because overly long nails can cause the dog pain as well as problems walking and running.

Exercise

Every day, whether it's a play session in the yard or a long walk, Black and Tan Coonhounds need moderate activity. Of course, because these hounds were bred to hunt and have a strong inclination to chase after any tiny animal they smell, the yard must have a tall, robust fence and the walk must be on a leash. A hunting excursion is an obvious option for exercise, and not just for raccoons'the Black and Tan may be trained to help out hunting just about any kind of game, from squirrels to deer, if local rules allow. And, as one might assume, Black and Tans adore coonhound field competitions as well.  

Training

Early socialization and puppy training sessions are advised for all breeds. Black and Tan Coonhounds are bright, affectionate, and dedicated, with a strong sense of independence. They can be trained, however expecting acquiescence rather than mindless obedience is preferable. They will be predisposed to do something the way they learn for the rest of their life, so it is critical to educate the behavior appropriately the first time. Black and Tans want to be with their family, and a dog left alone in a yard for extended periods of time, bored and ignored, is prone to whine loudly.

Nutrition

The Black and Tan Coonound should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

History

The raccoon is an unheralded American hero. These hefty, nocturnal beasts provided settlers with a regular supply of meat, fur, and fat as they tamed the wild continent.

Frontiersmen who set out for the western and southern areas after the Revolutionary War in the hopes of making a fortune in the wilderness confronted a challenge: no canine breed was properly fitted to hunt raccoons. The foxhounds used by the landed nobility of the South on traditional English-style foxhunts were the closest thing available. Foxhounds, however, were inadequate to the task because they were bred to gallop straightaway across the gently rolling acres of a plantation. What America needed was a completely different hound.

With typical Yankee ingenuity, the frontiersmen mixed European hounds—foxhounds and Bloodhounds were almost certainly in the mix—to produce the coonhound, a distinctly American breed type. These hounds follow raccoon scent through dark woods and swamps until they “tree” their prey, wailing in a clear, melodious voice to alert rifle-toting hunters to their position.

The pastime of treeing raccoons with hounds is still referred to as a “nite” hunt, with the intentional misspelling intended by the sport’s fans as a tip of the coonskin cap to the untutored backwoodsmen who produced the B&T and America’s other coonhound breeds.Among the early coonhound fans was the famed explorer, huntsman, and “cooner” Daniel Boone, whose beloved Kentucky became a breeding center for coonhounds. The B&T and his coonhound cousins are truly America’s dogs.