What kind of dog is a coon dog? A Comprehensive Guide

Top 6 Types of Coonhounds:

These are lean and muscular dogs, loved by many hunters for their endurance and speed. They are loyal, social, friendly, and affectionate, making them excellent family dogs.

Most American English Coonhounds have an average weight of between 50 to 70 pounds and a height of between 25 to 27 inches. They have a lifespan of between ten to twelve years, with proper care.

These dogs are brilliant; hence easy to train and groom. Besides, they do not drool too much nor shed large amounts of hair.

However, these dogs can be stubborn sometimes though they are easy to manage through better and consistent training. In addition, they don’t like to be left alone, making them not ideal for new pet owners.

These are the oldest breed of coonhounds with reference to colonial times and are native to Louisiana. They have a short, smooth coat and long floppy ears that are easy to clean.

Bluetick coonhounds are friendly, happy, and relate well with other pets, making them the perfect choice for multi-pet households. They are very active, loyal but hard to train.

These dogs are well-muscled but racy and sleek. Also, they are not clumsy or chunky and have an incredible prey drive.

Most bluetick coonhounds weigh between 55 to 80 pounds and can grow tall up to 27 inches. Like many coonhounds, they have a life expectancy of between eleven and twelve years.

They get bored quickly and don’t like to stay alone for an extended period. If you know you don’t spend most of your time at home, this breed is not a perfect choice for you. They also like to spend most of their time in the outdoor setting.

Black and Tan Coonhound

Black and tan coonhound is one of the outgoing and passionate dogs you can have. They are mainly bred for hunting raccoons and night hunting.

These coonhounds have long droop-downward ears and a strong tail. Their eyes are dark brown or hazel, and they have a short black coat with tan markings.

They are generally loyal, friendly, intelligent, and responsive. Training them is a bit challenging compared to other coonhounds.

These dogs have an average weight of between 65 to 110 pounds and a height of between 23 to 27 inches. They live between ten and twelve years.

These coonhounds require a lot of exercise and are very playful—ideal for kids. They shed more hair and drool quite a bit, which is mainly attributed to their training challenge nature.

The Black and tan coonhounds don’t like being alone and are not apartment friendly. Therefore, if you live in an apartment, this is not a suitable breed for you.

Bred For:

Length: Short Characteristics: Dense Colors: Black and tan Overall Grooming Needs: Low

Top 7 Coonhound Breeds

There are a number of coonhound breeds, the most popular being the Black and Tan Coonhound (pictured), Bluetick Coonhound, Redbone Coonhound, Plott Hound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, English Coonhound, and American Leopard Hound.

These dogs are first and fundamentally working dogs – they hunt large and small game. Though good-natured and easygoing, these hardy hounds are so in need of hard physical exercise that they belong with an owner who will take them hunting, jogging (on dirt or grass, not concrete), hiking, and/or swimming.

The problem with providing exercise is that, unless well-trained for hunting, it is a major risk to allow coonhounds off-leash. They are inveterate explorers who will follow their nose over hill, over dale, through the woods – and onto the highway. An enclosed dog park is probably your safest option.

When well-exercised, coonhounds are calm and undemanding dogs, apt to sprawl and snore in front of the fire. Without exercise, on the other hand, a coonhound can be a rambunctious handful.

Coonhounds get along very well with other dogs, though some can be dominant and pushy as they test each other for favorable positions in the pecking order.

Befitting their predator ancestry, coonhounds may stalk smaller pets, though they may get along fine with the family cat (as long as he doesnt run!).

It is in a coonhounds nature to constantly figure out ways to outwit his prey, so he often does the same with people. In other words, following commands blindly is not part of a coonhounds genetic makeup. Put yet another way…. coonhounds can be very stubborn! Consistent leadership is a must, and obedience training must be upbeat and persuasive (include occasional food rewards).

Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

About the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

Dog training videos. Sometimes its easier to train your puppy (or adult dog) when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership.

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