If you are looking for a dog breed that is friendly and super affectionate with owners, the Black and Tan Coonhound might be the one for you! They are great for active families, and if you are a dog lover—being with these dogs will be an adventurous ride.
But before you adopt them, here is everything you need to know about this majestic breed. From their traits to their everyday needs- we have it all covered!
Overview
| Height | 23-25 inches |
| Weight | 50-100 lbs |
| Life span | 10-12 years |
| Exercise needs | 30 minutes to 1 hour daily |
| Temperament | Easy going, Adaptable, Gentle |
| Grooming | Low maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | United States of America |
Origin of the Black and Tan Coonhound
This American dog breed is famous for its excellent hunting skills. But first, let us tell you about their origin! The Black and Tan Coonhound has a long trail of ancestors as they have evolved from a mix of hound breeds like a Bloodhound, Foxhound, and American Foxhound. The locals and breeders crossed this magnificent breed to make something that is a blend of all skills and is super versatile. So that you know, all their ancestors passed down the best genes, making Black and Tan Coonhound skillful hunters.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, these dogs excelled in tracking and hunting raccoons. The Black and Tan Coonhounds were praised and loved for their determination and endurance, and of course, no one could take their eyes off their beautiful, shiny skin. Not only this, but they proved to be loyal and affectionate companions for humans. Sooner or later, big organizations and dog clubs recognized this breed, and eventually, Black and Tan Coonhounds gained popularity among the common folks as well.
Appearance of the Black and Tan Coonhound
Here are the details about the physical characteristics of the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed:
1. Size and body
The Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed is a medium to large-sized dog. They stand up to 23-25 inches while weighing around 50-100 pounds. These dogs have a life expectancy of 10-12 years, depending on their overall nutrition and health.
Not only this, but their strong and agile build makes them look intimidating and confident. Their proportions are appropriate for hunting, and just like most dog breeds, the females are smaller than males.
2. Coat
These dogs have short, smooth fur coats that look best under the sun! One of the distinctive features of this dog breed is its shiny, bright coat. It is also the reason why dog enthusiasts feel a pull towards this breed. It’s the uniqueness and freshness of the Black and Tan Coonhound.
These mountain dogs are primarily black in color and also have tan coloration patches that set them apart from other dog breeds. And well, their very appearance definitely justifies their name!
3. Striking features
One of the most striking features of the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed is their hanging ears. These types of ears help the hound dogs store the scents of their prey and track and hunt them down easily. So, nope, they are not just there for looks but serve an essential purpose for hound dog breeds like Afghan Hound, Austrian Black and Tan Hound, Basset Hounds, etc. Also, their long legs allow them to run and chase raccoons.
Personality and Temperament
Each dog has certain personality traits that set them apart from other dog breeds. When it comes to the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed, here are their unique temperament and personality traits:
1. Calm and gentle
If you adopt this dog breed, you will most likely fall in love with their calm demeanor and affectionate nature. These dogs are especially good around children at home. So, if you have kids around, these dogs will win their hearts instantly. It is because Black and Tan Coonhounds are very gentle with the kids and make perfect companions for human families. All you have to do is take them outdoors every now and then, have picnics, and spend quality time with them.
2. Lost in their own world
One of the annoying traits of the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed is their mood swings. Apart from most dog enthusiasts finding their social skills and outgoing nature super admirable, these dogs can sometimes be laid back. When they are lazy, there is no way you can convince them! If you do, share it with us! Also, one of the best things about them is that they are super easygoing and do not mind playing with other dogs or pets as well.
3. Strong work ethic
The Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed is a hunting dog with a strong work ethic. If you are a person with a strong work ethic yourself, you would love to know that these canine buddies are determined and focused when it comes to work. Whether it is scenting and tracking rodents around the house or running errands with you. These intelligent creatures love chasing games and are very hardworking in training sessions. So, if you adopt them, you may get your gym partner as well!
4. Barks a lot
If dogs barking is your pet peeve, Black and Tan Coonhounds might not be suitable for you! This dog breed is vocal and often barks randomly around the house.
However, if they bark alot, it might be a sign of a behavior problem. Rest assured, if you want a barkless breed or a breed that only barks when needed, you can read about Basenji and Azawakh.
If you put multiple Black and Tan Coonhounds in a room, they’ll probably start an acapella group, as they will be busy baying all day.
Grooming Needs of the Black and Tan Coonhound
When it comes to grooming, the Black and Tan Coonhound is generally considered a low-maintenance dog breed. Here are their grooming needs:
1. Brushing
The short and dense coat of the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed requires minimal brushing. You can sit with a grooming mitt and a brush once or twice a day and remove the loose hair. This will ensure that they do not shed much around your house and all over your couch.
2. Cleaning and bathing
As Black and Tan Coonhounds have hanging ears, you should clean their ears well using a damp cloth. Besides cleaning the ear wax, cleaning eye boogers, debris build-up, paws, and dirt in toenails is essential.
3. Trimming
Another important grooming essential is to trim their nails in a timely. Too big nails can cause pain as Black and Tan Coonhounds are clumsy and often get their feet banged in the doors. Also, if you don’t want your curtains to be turned down, you better trim those nails!
Exercise and Training Needs
These dogs have moderate training needs that can last up to somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour. You can include exercises like:
1. Early socialization
As the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed is known for its jolly nature, it is still essential for you to give them proper socialization training. The earlier you start, the better, as these dogs are super adaptable and can even gel with other pets.
2. Basic obedience training
The very first thing you should do when you start training Black and Tan Coonhounds is to teach them basic obedience at their puppy stage. This includes teaching your easy-peasy dog commands like “sit,” “fetch,” pick,” or fun ones like “shake hands” and “roll.”
3. Dog walking sessions
One of the most important things to start any dog training with is walks. This will warm up Black and Tan Coonhounds, and well- they love to run errands, so it is a win-win for them. You can also include leash training in their walking sessions, as they will get used to the leash and will not throw tantrums.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, we can say that the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed may or may not be suitable for first-time dog owners. Even though their grooming needs are pretty basic, their training requires a lot of patience and consistency. They need an owner who can dominate them, give them strong commands, and follow a strong work ethic with them as an experienced dog trainer would.
Rest, if you are a newbie who is willing to learn and give your best shot at training the Black and Tan Coonhounds, then who are we to stop you?
Frequently Asked Questions
The Black and Tan Coonhounds are excellent hunters but might be great at guarding. Although they can definitely scare away predators and threats, there are several dog breeds, like Belgian Tervuren, Anatolian Shepherd, and Beauceron, who are better at guardian jobs.
You can leave the Black and Tan Coonhounds alone for short periods of time. We do not recommend that you leave them alone for more than 3-4 hours, that too occasionally. Dogs love companionship and need a secure environment to grow in.
Yes! The Black and Tan Coonhound dog breeds are very vocal and are often seen barking at random strangers or objects. Do not mistake it for their aggression but for their talkative nature.
Unfortunately, Black and Tan Coonhounds are not hypoallergenic. This means if you or someone in your family is sensitive to allergens, this dog breed might not be suitable. Although the shed is minimal, it can still spread allergens to humans and small pets.
