A Guide to the Black and Tan Coonhound, Our Forefather's Breed Why This Breed Makes Such a Great Companion

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Black and Tan Coonhound photo
Large Breed Hip Dysplasia Black and Tan Coonhound

Is the Black and Tan Coonhound right for you?

  • 1 The Black and Tan Coonhound breed is tolerant of children and reserved with strangers.
  • 2 The Black and Tan Coonhound is mellow and calm indoors, but they are known to bay and howl.

HISTORY

Commonly known as the raccoon hunter, the Black and Tan Coonhound was first bred in the United States by crossing the Talbot Hound, Bloodhound, and Foxhound, and was officially classified because of their unique coloring. This breed is best known for their ability to sniff out, trail, and tree a raccoon. They are believed to have been first bred by George Washington, who is famously referred to as โ€œthe father of the Black and Tan Coonhound.โ€ They were recognized by the AKC in 1945.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Large

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    Lifespan

    10 - 12 years

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    Hair Length

    Short

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    Male Height

    25 to 27 inches

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    Male Weight

    50 to 75 lbs

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    Female Height

    23 to 25 inches

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    Female Weight

    50 to 75 lbs

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    Litter Size

    7- 9 puppies

Personality

The Black and Tan Coonhound, known for their melodious voices, also have a great sense of smell. They are very bright, loyal, and kind dogs, but not necessarily always gentle. Without proper training, this breed may become aggressive. They are also relatively mild mannered, and need some encouragement to come out of their shell. Not always keen on strangers, they should be socialized too. For this breed, it is best if their owner has an excess of patience, since they are very sensitive and have a few behaviors that can become problematic if not dealt with early on. .

Color

The Black and Tan Coonhound can only be black and tan, with coloring similar to a Doberman.

Health Concerns

Black and Tan Coonhounds live up to 10 or 12 years and are prone to:

Appearance

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large dog, quite similar in build and appearance to a Bloodhound. They have the standard droopy ears and lips, with a deceptively sturdy build. Their tail is very long and thin, and they have a large, wide open nose, which helps them with sniffing out game. They have a short, sleek coat that keeps in heat when they need it, but allows them to breathe when they donโ€™t.

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