The Black and Tan Coonhound is a friendly dog that was bred in the United States to tree raccoons and scent hunt other animals. They prefer to stay outdoors and can tolerate heat and cold. They need lots of exercise and it is best to have them on a farm or to have plenty of properly fenced in area for them to run in. They are good watch dogs and generally work well with other dogs. They need to be brushed occasionally but do need regular ear maintenance. They have low trainability so they are generally not trained for other tasks besides the hunt. They are good with older children but may not tolerate younger ones. Just a reminder, never leave children of any age unsupervised with a puppy or dog for any length of time.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Black And Tan Coonhound is 25 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and the females range from 23 to 25 inches to the withers. They weigh from 50 to 75 pounds with the males being heavier.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Black And Tan Coonhound is no exception. The following can be a problem. Canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness), Ear Canker (lack of air circulation, wax, dirt and moisture can lead to an ear infection characterized by dark discharge and foul odor), Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness) and a blood disorder Hemophilia B.

This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian if you think that your puppy or dog has a problem and for a complete list of breed specific diseases.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Also, avoid feeding your puppy or dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Black And Tan Coonhound has a short, glossy coat that needs occasional brushing. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet. Additionally her ears need regular attention to help keep her from catching ear canker, an infection caused by damp, dirty ears that do not get enough air, a problem with breeds with pendulous ears.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net.

*Life Span. The Black And Tan Coonhound can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. Hails all the way back to extinct hounds in the eleventh century plus Bloodhound, the American Foxhound and the English Foxhound. Mountain people of the United States from Virginia, The Great Smoky Mountains and the Ozarks developed the breed to tree raccoons and hunt game in general. The American Kennel Club first registered them in 1945.

*Some Registries:

American Black and Tan Coonhound Club

UKC United Kennel Club

NKC National Kennel Club

CKC Continental Kennel Club

APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

AKC American Kennel Club

FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 7 to 8 Black And Tan Coonhound puppies

Category: Hound

Terms To Describe. Hunter, lively, loyal, intelligent, courage, outgoing, friendly, even tempered, very active

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Loves to hunt.

Good watch dog.

Can handle cold and heat.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Low obedience.

Mediocre guard dog.

May wander off after a scent.

Low trainability.

*Other Names Known By: American Black and Tan Coonhound, Treeing Hound

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.