Black and Tan Coonhound breed: the evening shift hunter

Friendly big dog who works evening shifts. The Black and Tan Coonhound is a true American breed of dog, athletic and light on his feet despite his size. His excellent nose makes him an enthusiastic hunter's helper and his speciality is raccoon hunting. Despite being an active dog, it does not shy away from rest.

Raccoons are enjoying a renaissance these days, and many people are very fond of them. For example, in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, a café has been opened in their honour, where you can meet raccoons. But these cute little thieves have not stolen everyone’s heart. Some people still hunt the masked bears to this day, and their faithful sidekick is the Black and Tan Coonhound.

History

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a true American dog breed, designed for the needs of the US. Its breeding can be traced back to the American Revolutionary War. The raccoon is a common forest animal in America, although it often dives into city dumpsters for food and shelter. Even the colonists were keen to use their meat and fur. The only problem was that there were no hunting dogs specifically ‘specialised’ for raccoons, as raccoons are mostly nocturnal, so early breeders had to be creative.
From the available hounds and bloodhounds (certainly including Foxhounds and Bloodhounds, but possibly more than one breed to suit the task), they created a new breed of dog bred specifically for hunting raccoons, able to track their quarry by moonlight, even by scent alone. Its mark is said to be “clear and melodious”.

Breed standard

The Coonhound is a large, powerful dog, usually weighing between 45 and 64 kilograms and 63-68 cm in height at the withers. A short, dense-coated breed of dog. As its name suggests, it is black in colour, with tan patches on the muzzle, above the eyes (eyebrows), on the limbs and on the chest. Raccoons also have other colours, such as blue spotted. The head is massive, the eyes are chestnut brown, and the ears are large and long for a beagle. The tail is of medium length. Its chest is deep, but its long limbs and slightly tucked-up belly make it appear muscular rather than stocky.

Character

Active dog with excellent sense of smell and high hunting instinct. Intelligent and dedicated, he likes to be given a task, but he does not blindly follow his owner’s commands, he is quite independent, so if you want a dog that listens to your every word and waits for the next command, this type of dog is not for you. He is good and easy to train, but once he learns something one way it is difficult to correct, so consistent and consistent training is very important. Coonhound is patient with children and friendly with other dogs, but is not a good choice for small pets. He is aloof with strangers, but not the best watchdog.

Despite being active, he does not have a high energy level, so it is relatively easy to tire him out enough to keep him from getting bored. One long walk a day or a little play in the garden is enough for raccoon cats. It easily adapts to the family dynamics and can keep up with active owners, but is not offended by a few days of rest.

He is rarely kept as an only dog, as he loves company and even makes his feelings known when he is very lonely. He is suited to families where it can be arranged that he is not alone for whole days.

Ideal environment

The ideal environment for a raccoon raccoon is a house with a garden. But it can also be kept indoors if its daily exercise needs are met. If there is a garden to run around in, the fence must be very careful, and it must be high and sturdy enough, as its hunting instinct will cause it to chase small animals without a word.

Care

It sheds once or twice a year, when it needs to be brushed a little more often, but usually every 1-2 weeks is enough. He should be bathed occasionally. And as with all dogs, it is worth keeping an eye on the health of his nails and teeth.

Common health problems

The Black and Tan Coonhound is generally a healthy breed, but there are a few typical problems to watch out for. They can be prone to Hip Dysplasia, Cataracts and Thyroid problems. Their cute, long, floppy ears can also be a problem. So it’s worth checking weekly to make sure they haven’t got something in them or doesn’t have an infection.