Black and Tan Coonhound

OVERVIEW OF THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

When it comes to dog breeds, few can compete with the athleticism and hunting drive of Black and Tan Coonhounds. Considered one of the purest American dog breeds, the Black and Tan Coonhound is primarily known as a friendly and easy-going pet who loves snoozing by the fireplace and helping its owner in whatever task is at hand.

Despite that, these highly energetic dogs can be a little hard to control for inexperienced owners — especially when they’re on the trail of a wily raccoon. The average male’s height varies from 25 to 27 inches, which firmly puts them in the large dog category.

New owners don’t need to worry too much about their large size as Black and Tan Coonhounds aren’t aggressive. Black and Tan Coonhounds are highly friendly dogs that love playing with their owners or other dogs when they’re in the mood. So, getting another smaller dog to accompany your Black and Tan Coonhound can be a wise option so you don’t have to spend enormous amounts of time playing with them until they tire themselves out.

Most of the time, you’ll find that Black and Tan Coonhounds are happy to lounge around in the living room or curl up at your feet. Take care to securely tighten their leash on walks and bolster your fences because once its hunting drive is activated, this dog can clear ground quickly with long, effortless strides.

HISTORY OF THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

The history of the Black and Tan Coonhound dates back to the first president of the United States, George Washington (1789-1797), who famously kept three of these canines as pets.  But they were first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1945 as tall hunting dogs that could catch their prey in merely a few leaps. Looking to carve out their fortune from the wilderness, post-revolution Yankees soon realized that there was no dog breed available that was fully equipped to hunt raccoons. Thus, the first Black and Tan Coonhound was created by crossbreeding foxhounds and standard bloodhounds in a bid to create a unique all-American breed that could expertly hunt raccoons.

These nocturnal hounds can smell a raccoon a mile away, and use their superior agility and strong build to chase after them until they had them stuck at the top of a tree. All the while serenading the woods with unique howling sounds that called rifle-carrying hunters to their exact location. That’s why Black and Tan Coonhounds are famous for their unique musical-like howling almost resembling regular human speech. Not to forget their highly sensitive noses that could sniff out prey from even greater distances. Above all, these dogs became known as extremely loyal companions who were quite tenacious when it came to helping their owners.

PHYSICAL TRAITS OF THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

Appearance

Apart from their amazingly sensitive nose, plenty of other features set Black and Tan Coonhounds apart from all the other dog breeds worldwide. For one, its long velvety black ears draped across the side of its head are a sign of its sweet disposition and shy attitude. Its eyes are also said to be extremely expressive and can change in an instant from a fierce stare to an ashamed downward glance.

Featuring a coal-black coat with rich tan accents, a male Black and Tan Coonhound stands at an impressive 27-inch height with a strong build that makes it suitable for all types of terrain. In comparison, females are known to reach 23 to 25 inches in height.

Temperament

Known for its sweet disposition and uncannily carefree attitude, the temperament of a Black and Tan Coonhound depends on the training it receives from its owner. By nature, these dogs are quite harmless and docile but adapt extremely quickly to their surroundings and have an uncanny intelligence that sets them apart from common breeds.

Bred historically as athletic and super fast raccoon hunters, Black and Tan Coonhounds can run for miles without getting tired and their extremely sensitive noses are useful for hunting various ground-dwelling prey.

Their overall attitude depends on the family they belong to. For example, if the family in question is quite outdoorsy and loves going on running and hiking adventures, then the Black and Tan Coonhound will adapt to those traits and become super energetic and adventurous. But keep in mind that things could also go the other way around.

If your family has a sedentary lifestyle and dreads doing anything too physical, those are the traits your Black and Tan Coonhound will copy. Besides, as a pet, these docile dogs can usually be found resting near the fireplace or lounging on the family sofa, carefree from any distractions.

FOOD AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS OF THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

Dietary needs

Black and Tan Coonhounds, on average, can consume a lot more food than some of the other smaller breeds. They are also susceptible to gaining weight quickly if their food consumption is not regularly monitored, which could decrease their natural playful instincts.

Achieving a balance between providing it with a healthy, nutritious diet full of protein and mineral-rich dog food is essential to ensure the well-being of your furry friend. It’s solely the owner’s responsibility to feed the dog with just the right amount of food as it may not stop itself from finishing any food that’s laid out in front of it.

The ideal diet of a Black and Tan Coonhound comprises biologically appropriate proteins, ground bones, healthy fats, and a variety of vegetables. Fortunately, many dog foods include all those nutrients and contain some vital vitamins and minerals for maintaining your Black and Tan Coonhound’s optimum performance and health.

Vets recommend feeding a Black and Tan Coonhound raw dog food with no additional additives or synthetic ingredients, as they possess sensitive organs that are prone to systemic inflammation. You could also opt for homemade recipes to feed your pet fresh and healthy foods, provided they contain all the minerals listed above and no hard-to-digest substances. Some excellent foods you could feed your dog are:

• Raw beef and barley
• Chicken quinoa

Lastly, you must also ensure that you give your Black and Tan Coonhound age-appropriate proportions of food. Contact your veterinarian to figure out the exact amounts you should feed it according to its age.

TRAINING AND EXERCISE FOR BLACK AND TAN COONHOUNDS

Exercise

Black and Tan Coonhounds adopt the traits of their owners and can become quite lazy if the owners don’t exert too much effort in their training or exercise. Taking your dog out to the park or on a hike regularly is excellent for its health and also helps maintain its athletic nature and hunting instincts.

Even while at home, make sure you socialize with your dog regularly. These canines may not be as high-energy as some other dog breeds, but a minimum amount of socializing can keep them stimulated and full of energy. Black and Tan Coonhounds are also excellent companions for kids as they have the intelligence to care for them and protect them from intruders.

Another amazing perk of having a Black and Tan Coonhound as a pet is that they’re great running partners and love playing games, like fetch and frisbee if they’re taught them from an early age. The attitude and instincts of your dog depend solely on the amount of exercise and activities you provide it.

Training and Socialization

Socializing your Black and Tan Coonhound as early as possible is extremely important in developing their mind and teaching them the appropriate way to behave around people and other dogs.

That’s not to say that you should wholeheartedly stifle their creativity and playfulness, as no one wants a completely docile dog with no personality of its own. Black and Tan Coonhounds are also prone to becoming quite dominant if not dealt with a firm hand at the beginning of their training.

Owning one of these dogs involves keeping it controlled through firm and consistent leadership so that the dog doesn’t develop dominance problems, which could interfere with listening to your commands or following a routine.

Dog treats are a great way to train Black and Tan Coonhounds properly. But you must take great care to take your time while training them, as they do have mood-shifting tendencies. On top of that, feeding them too many treats while training can lead to obesity, making them less energetic and leading to health problems in the future.

Last but not least, when it comes to socializing with them, adult Coonhounds are quite receptive and good listeners who’ll patiently sit and listen to you speak to them for hours on end and will even offer a supportive pat on your leg. Note that Black and Tan Coonhounds don’t particularly like crowds and enjoy spending time alone with their human partners.

HEALTH CONCERNS OF THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

Compared to various other dog breeds, Black and Tan Coonhounds are not susceptible to as many diseases and health issues apart from the occasional upset stomach or dental problems (buildup of plaque). But some specific diseases are known to affect them. That’s why it’s important to make sure that whoever you’re buying a Black and Tan Coonhound from gives you a full workup of their medical history, including all the vaccinations and health clearances the dog has received. Receiving a health clearance means your dog is free from a certain illness or condition.

Their ears, hips, and thyroid glands are vital areas to check for any deformities or infections. Here are some health concerns that can arise while caring for a Black and Tan Coonhound.

Hip Dysplasia

An inherited disease that occurs regularly in the Black and Tan Coonhound breed, hip dysplasia can develop at any stage during the dog’s life but there’s no guarantee that it will occur.

Something common in all dog breeds, however, is that they start showing early signs of health problems when they turn 3 years old. You’ll still have to pay close attention to notice these problems as hip dysplasia entails the underdevelopment of joints and bones close to the hip, which could lead to arthritis and overall stiffness in the hind limbs.

Ear infections

All dog breeds with long ears need to get their ears checked properly from time to time for infections, and the Black and Tan Coonhound is no different. Make sure to watch for signs of inflammation or bad odor.

If they contract any bacterial or viral infection in their ear that isn’t treated at the right time, it could result in surgical treatment. This is something no dog owner wants to put their furry friend through.

Ectropion

Ectropion is a rare eye disease that’s only found in Coonhounds. Another genetic condition that can appear at any stage in a Black and Tan Coonhound’s life, this condition involves the eyelid rolling inward. This results in the eyelashes making contact with the cornea of the eye, which could be very harmful if not properly cared for or treated promptly.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR THE BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND

Black and Tan Coonhounds are probably the easiest dog breed to care for and maintain when it comes to grooming. Almost all of them have the same type of coat, which is smooth and silky in texture. All you need to do is thoroughly brush your Black and Tan Coonhound once a week with a soft brush or hound glove to remove any dead hair and restore its gorgeous coat.

You should also check its ears weekly for infections or wax buildup. Its teeth should be brushed at least twice a week to stop plaque buildup. Brushing its teeth regularly will also prevent bad breath. You should always use toothpaste that’s specially designed for dogs to ensure that it doesn’t harm their gums or teeth.

Keeping a check on the nails of your Black and Tan Coonhound is also important because if they get too long, they can be damaging to your floors or furniture. You’ll know that its nails are too long if they’re making a clicking sound when they touch the floor. You need to be careful while cutting the nails of your dog because they have blood vessels and can start bleeding dangerously if you accidentally cut the nails too short.

If your Black and Tan Coonhound doesn’t like being groomed, you can make them more comfortable with grooming practices by giving them treats. Also, don’t forget to take your furry friend to the vet regularly for general health check-ups.