Black and Tan Coonhound

Characteristics of Black and Tan Coonhound

Brief information

• a dog with a keen sense of smell and a loud bark;
• does not require special care for wool, easily tolerates cold and heat;
• needs training and frequent walks, can be stubborn.

History of the Black and Tan Coonhound breed

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a dog breed that originated in America. There is a possibility that it arose as a result of crossing the Foxhound and the Bloodhound . But there is no definitive theory.

The first representatives of the breed appeared in the Appalachian mountains, and also lived in the regions of the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge. There, with black and tan coonhounds, they successfully hunted raccoons and bears. These dogs, inherited from their ancestors a perfect scent for the tracks of animals, could pursue and find prey in rough terrain. At the same time, their abilities were preserved even with fast walking and running.

Black and tan Coonhounds can track any animal. But their main specialty is raccoons and opossums, so the dogs are well adapted to hunting at night. When the dog drives the prey into a trap, it begins to bark loudly. She does not stop giving a signal to the hunter until he comes to this call.

The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1945, but the Black and Tan Coonhound has always been used more for hunting than as a pet or show dog. In the United States, organized hunting at night is very popular. Therefore, the United Kennel Club arranges separate exhibitions for kunhounds. Not only black and tan hounds participate in them, but also speckled blue, English, and some other representatives of the hounds.

The black and tan coonhound is also called the American raccoon dog or raccoon hound. This breed was the only one among the raccoon hounds that was officially recognized. All other Coonhounds are just varieties of black and tan.

Description of the breed

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a hunting dog. Therefore, its main task is to work on rough terrain both in severe frost and in the summer heat. The dog must track down the raccoon and drive him up a tree so that he is trapped. The dog does this only with the help of the lower instinct. That is, sniffing out the traces of the beast left on the surface of the earth.

A club that breeds black and tan coonhounds should pay special attention to the working qualities of the breed – strength, alertness and energy. Thanks to them, dogs can be used in hunting larger animals such as bears or deer.

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by the ability to make rhythmic and wide jumps, thus moving around the area. Therefore, well-developed muscles and strong bones are extremely important for them.

Black and Tan Coonhound Head

Head . Has a clear outline. The distance from the nose to the occiput is 23-25 ​​centimeters in males and 20-23 centimeters in females. The skull is rounded, without skin folds.

Muzzle . Well muscled, has an oblong shape. If you look at the animal from the side, then the upper longitudinal lines of the muzzle and skull will be parallel to each other. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is moderately pronounced, located at an equal distance from the occiput and the nose.

Ears . Hang down, forming beautiful folds. Located closer to the back of the head.

Nose . The nose is black and quite large. Nostrils large, open wide.

Fall . The jaws are strong, the muscles are well developed.

Teeth . The incisors are in one line, scissor bite.

Lips . Flews are present, well developed, like any representative of the hounds. Excessively saggy and “raw” lips are a vice.

Eyes . May be dark brown or hazel. Yellow eyes are considered marriage. The expression is meaningful, interested, alert.

Neck . Well muscled, medium length, no dewlap.

Black and Tan Coonhound Frame

Corps . It has a square shape, the length of the body is equal to the height at the withers or slightly exceeds it. The back is straight and strong.

Chest . The chest is rather deep, reaching to the elbows or even lower. The ribs are convex.

Tail . It is located just below the line of the back, strong enough. In a calm state, it hangs down, during the movement of the animal it rises up and takes a vertical position.

limbs

The movements of the animal are light and graceful. In the process of running, the dog captures a lot of space with the forelimbs and strongly repels from the surface with the hind limbs. If you look at a black and tan coonhound from the front, then his forelimbs will move in a straight line, not intersecting. Behind the hocks in motion are in line with the forelegs, neither close nor too far apart. When the dog moves quickly, he puts the limbs closer to the center of the body.

Front . The shoulders are strong and well developed. The forearms are straight, pasterns are strong and sheer. Feet with well clenched toes. The pads are thick and fleshy. Flat paws are considered a vice.

Rear . Paws are muscular, with well-developed bones. The lower legs are long with short and strong metatarsus. In the stance, the legs are pulled back, and the metatarsus is in a vertical position. The hock and stifle joints are pronounced. Dewclaws are considered a vice.

Black and Tan Coonhound Wool

The black and tan coonhound has a very dense and coarse guard hair. It protects the animal from any bad weather and allows you to work in rain, snow, frost and sunshine. Wool is richly impregnated with special secretions from the skin, which gives it moisture-repellent properties.

Interestingly, the scars that an animal can receive in the process of hunting do not affect its exterior in any way when assessing appearance.

colors

The name of the breed speaks for itself. The main color is black, it is very saturated. Tans are pronounced, of a contrasting shade. They can be located in the area of ​​​​the muzzle, on the “eyebrows”, chest, paws, and also under the tail.

Too little tan or its complete absence is considered a marriage. A white spot on the chest is permissible, the size of which does not exceed two centimeters. Similar marks on other parts of the body are considered a defect.

Character

Black and tan Coonhounds are renowned for their hard work and endurance. They are not only tireless, but they do not know fear. Therefore, they began to be used as companions in the hunt for a larger animal. A well-trained dog will help track down a deer and will not be afraid of a cougar or a bear.

At the same time, they are very devoted to their owners, and treat all other family members affectionately. These dogs are always happy to communicate, easy-going and will gladly follow orders given to them. This, of course, applies exclusively to educated animals. Training will have to be given a lot of time in order to eventually get an obedient companion and a true friend.

This breed of dog has another character trait – it is independence. They are able to make their own decisions when necessary. But, if you provide this choice to the dog all the time, then you risk getting an uncontrollable and wayward dog. Therefore, in the process of training, it is necessary to show patience and perseverance so that the animal obeys you unquestioningly.

This breed is good with children. Dogs are very energetic by nature, so they will be happy to play with the younger members of the family. The Black and Tan Coonhound can be taken with you on long walks and involved in any sports games. He will gladly jump for a Frisbee or run next to the bike. If the child is still too young, you need to be careful. This breed is quite large, so the animal can accidentally push the baby and injure him.

The black and tan Coonhound can also be used as a watchdog. Security skills in it are developed quite well, although the breed is a hunting one. These dogs are suspicious and wary of all strangers and will keep a vigilant eye on their territory.

Black and tan coonhounds can get along with other dogs, as representatives of this breed hunt in groups. But a puppy needs to be socialized from birth if you want him to get along with other dogs. But with the rest of the animals there may be problems. The developed hunting instinct of the dog, which is almost impossible to suppress, is to blame for everything. Therefore, cats, birds and rodents such as rabbits or chinchillas will be at risk.

Black and Tan Coonhound Education and training

You need to accustom a dog to loads immediately, as soon as she got into your family. But this should be done very carefully, gradually increasing the number and duration of classes. It is very important to take care of the joints of the black and tan coonhound, even if you are sure that the animal does not have dysplasia.

Up to six months, the dog should not jump from a great height, as well as run up and down stairs often and for a long time. To start strengthening the animal’s muscle corset, swimming is ideal. Loads in the water are allowed for any breed of dog, they are an excellent prevention of many diseases of the joints and bones, and also have no contraindications.

Not everyone can cope with the upbringing of a black and tan coonhound. This dog is quite stubborn by nature. So that she does not behave as she pleases, from an early age you need to start training the puppy and clearly indicate to him the boundaries of what is permitted. Do not allow connivance, stand on your position firmly, but not aggressively. Physical punishment, like screaming, is unacceptable in raising a black and tan coonhound. By such methods, you will only intimidate the dog, injure its psyche. The animal will stop trusting you and may begin to throw out retaliatory aggression on you and those around you.

From the first days, begin to introduce the puppy to the outside world, doing it gradually. He must understand what poses a real threat to him, and what he should not be afraid of. Learn the simplest commands with your puppy:

• ” Sit! »;
• ” Lie down! »;
• “ Come to me! »;
• NO ! »;
• ” Give me a paw! “.

A puppy can master them already at the age of three months. Do not demand everything from the baby at once. Have patience, you will have to repeat the commands more than once in order to achieve a stable result. Even when the dog firmly remembers them, you need to continue to include them in training, supplementing with more complex options.

To increase the effectiveness of training with a puppy, use treats. Then the dog will not think about whether it needs to carry out this or that command. She will follow her instincts. So you will ensure that the dog develops a reflex. In the future, he will unquestioningly carry out all your orders. And this is very important for hunting breeds.

The black and tan kunhound was bred for hunting, so his genetics have resistance to difficult weather conditions, endurance, and the ability to work in difficult terrain. The task of the dog is to track down the prey and drive it into a trap. Since raccoons are most often this prey, trees become their trap. Animals climb on them, running away from persecution.

In work, the black and tan coonhound uses only his keen sense of smell. A dog does not need to use its eyesight to track down and chase down an animal.

Today, hunting can be more attributed to a hobby or a kind of sport than a necessity. In America, where the black and tan coonhound breed was bred, there is a tradition. Men go hunting for small fur-bearing animals at night. Where this occurs, raccoons and opossums are considered pests. Therefore, the authorities do not see anything criminal in such “entertainment”.

All action begins from the outskirts of the city, where a group of hounds is released. They are looking for a trail, and when they take it, they begin to chase the beast and bark loudly. The dogs will not subside until the animal is driven up a tree. Each dog has a unique voice that can be recognized not only by its four-legged “partner”, but also by the owner. By the intensity and timbre of barking, one can understand when dogs drive prey into a trap. Then the hunters rush to their destination. Black and tan Coonhounds keep jumping, stretching towards the branches on which the animal is located.

In the US, this breed is highly valued. Therefore, working animals with the best skills that have shown good success in hunting get into breeding. For a black and tan coonhound, its working qualities are more important than its conformation.

Black and Tan Coonhound – Video