Coonhounds are names because they are used to hunt, especially raccoons. The name was derived in the North American in the southern states. Coon hunting is very popular in that area, which makes the use of coonhounds important. For those who do not live in the southern states you may not understand what wonderful dogs the coonhounds can be. They are powerful, hardworking, and affectionate creatures making them one of the best pets you could have. You will find out about their temperament, characteristics, grooming, and general care in the article below.
First the coonhound is a medium to large dog. They are typically 55 to 75 pounds and 23 to 27 inches in height. Their bodies are sleek, but well muscled in the legs as well as shoulders. Their heads are usually a little large for their bodies with a thick long muzzle. They have floppy ears and no tail. Typically they have medium sized paws that are tan in color with the rest of the fur coat being black. They do have a little tan around their muzzle. The coat is short and very dense. This helps keep them cool while they are out working and is easy for you to groom. Grooming is often checking for ticks and other insects, checking to make sure they have not hurt their paws or gums, and once a week making sure to brush the dead and loose hair away. They don't usually require baths, but if it is necessary it is okay with a mild shampoo. They do need to have their toenails cut every six months.
Despite some jokes and of course stereotypes you will find the coonhound is actually an extremely intelligent dog. They are hard working in coon hunting as well as other jobs. They are dependable, loyal and affectionate. You will also find they are one of the most obedient dogs. They have stamina and a tenacity that makes hunting with them rather fun. They tend to roust the hunted for you to catch. You will also find they do better in a home with older children rather than infants, but they are quite the family dog. They like attention as well as being outgoing and pleasant to be around. Typically they bark as a watchdog or to alert you to an animal. They do not do well with smaller pets because of their instincts. You will find they are reserved with strangers.
Care of these dogs is usually on a medium scale. They need a lot of exercise and interaction so having a small home and backyard is often best. You can leave them to roam the backyard during the day and spend about an hour walking them daily. You will also find that they don't require leashes as long as you are in the country they will follow you and come when called. Training should be entered into at an early age to give them proper socialization as well as obedience training. They work best with trainers who are firm and consistent. They can take advantage of a meek owner and develop some unpleasant stubbornness. The coonhound does best when they are given tasks especially hunting, tracking, and as a watch dog. They should not be left alone for long periods of time, especially if you do on vacation. They rely on their owners for attention, but can develop emotional problems if ignored.
This dog is originally from Germany. It was developed to hunt badger there hundreds of years ago. "Dachs" means badger in German, which is how they got their name. Dachshunds have short legs and long bodies in order to go inside the badger burrows and dig the prey out. Later, the miniature dachshund was bred to hunt hare and stoat. Today, this breed is mainly kept to be a companion though.
The coat of the dachshund comes in three different types: smooth haired, longhaired and wirehaired. The longhaired variety has long, straight hair. The smooth haired variety has short, straight and smooth hair that is the same length all over the body. The wirehaired variety has coarse, wiry, harsh hair. The coat comes in many colors, such as sable, cream, red, black and tan, chocolate and tan, gray and tan, fawn and tan, or brindle. There are also three different sizes of the dog, standard, miniature and toy. The standard size usually weighs about twenty pounds; the miniature size usually weighs about nine pounds and the toy size usually weighs about eight pounds.
The Dachshund is very lively, affectionate, bold, curious and mischievous. These dogs are very intuitive and smart. Because of this, they may try to train their owner rather than the opposite. This makes them fairly difficult to train. They can be stubborn when you are training them so be sure you are firm and consistent. Dachshunds love to bark and actually have a pretty loud bark, despite their size. If you let this dog outside, you will need to watch it because dachshunds are obsessive diggers.
Dachshunds absolutely love to be around people. They are very friendly and outgoing. They are also never aggressive or timid. However, because of this dog's love for people, it can easily become jealous. The Dachshund is not recommended for small children, but it will do fine with older children. They will also usually get along well with other pets, but be careful if you have a large dog because the dachshund can easily get hurt.
The biggest health risk these dogs face is obesity. A dachshund gains weight very easily and if they get overweight this puts far too much strain on their tiny body. You must be careful to ensure that they do not overeat. Some other common health problems of this breed are spinal disc problems, heart disease, diabetes and urinary tract problems. Try not to let this dog jump too much so that they will not hurt their spine.
The Dachshund is very lively, but it actually doesn't need that much exercise. A short walk once a day or a session of play is enough. They tend to get tired very easily so try not to go on a long walk or play for a long time. Dachshunds will do fine without a yard, so they can even be kept in apartments.
If you own the long haired variety of this dog, you will need to brush the dog every day. The wire haired variety needs to be professionally trimmed twice a year. The smooth haired variety just needs to be rubbed down with a damp cloth every now and then.
Overall, the Dachshund is a great dog to own. They are lots of fun and are very loyal to their owners. Just make sure they are right for you before purchasing one.
Both Gerry Ronson & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.