Unravel the Intriguing World of Black and Tan Coonhounds: Your Ultimate Breed Guide

Meet the Black and Tan Coonhound: A Powerful Yet Easy-Going Breed

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a big, laid-back dog that makes an excellent hunting buddy and family pet. As its name indicates, it was bred to hunt raccoons back on the American frontier, though it can also handle larger game. This breed is brave and determined while pursuing its prey. At home, it’s a sweet, affectionate pet that adores its family, is gentle with children, and loves a good snooze.

Of course, the Black and Tan Coonhound—sometimes called a B&T, for short—is a hound dog, specifically a scenthound. This means it has an intense prey drive, an independent streak, and a need to sniff everything. These dogs make loving companions for families that can handle the needs of a hound!

Breed History

B&Ts are an American breed that was developed to fill a need for settlers on the southern and western frontiers: raccoon hunting. Raccoons were an important source of food and fur at the time, but the European breeds of hunting dogs didn’t have the right skills to track these nocturnal creatures through their wooded habitats.

By crossing Bloodhounds with various types of foxhounds, early breeders produced the coonhound—a dog with an incredible nose, a relentless prey drive, and a body made for covering a lot of ground with long, powerful strides. Raccoons and possums are its main quarry, but the Black and Tan Coonhound is capable of pursuing game as large as a bear.

Roles in Hunting and Tracking

This breed hunts with its nose. Much like their Bloodhound relatives, Black and Tan Coonhounds have an ultrasensitive sense of smell; in fact, they’re able to continue tracking their prey even after the scent trail has gone cold!

While in pursuit, the B&T will run after their prey at a decent but not fast pace (this breed is built more for endurance than speed), barking and howling all the way to allow their human companion to follow them. With raccoons, the coonhound will typically chase the animal until it runs up a tree, trapping it until the hunter catches up. Black and Tan Coonhounds are brave dogs, and they’re able to kill raccoons themselves, but it’s more common for them to tree their prey for the hunter.

Recognition by Kennel Clubs

The Black and Tan Coonhound was recognized by both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1945. It was the first coonhound breed to be recognized by the AKC, and it’s categorized in the hound group. It’s still the only coonhound breed that the FCI recognizes.

Physical Characteristics of the Black and Tan Coonhound

This is a large dog that generally weighs between 65 and 110 pounds (29–50 kilograms), with females being smaller than males.

• Male B&T Height: 25–27 inches (64–69 centimeters)
• Female B&T Height: 23–25 inches (58–64 centimeters)

Coat and Color

The Black and Tan Coonhound’s coat is primarily black, with tan accents on its face, muzzle, throat, chest, lower legs, and paws. The two dots of tan above its eyes are sometimes called “pumpkin seeds.” Its fur is short, smooth, and dense, with a beautiful sheen if the dog is well-groomed.

Grooming Requirements

Overall, this breed has low grooming needs. The B&T is a moderate shedder, and owners should brush their dog once a week to remove loose fur and keep their coat shiny and healthy. As with all dogs, their nails should be trimmed regularly.

There are two unique grooming concerns for the Black and Tan Coonhound: checking their ears and giving them baths.

• Ear Inspection: This breed has incredibly long, drooping ears, and that increases their risk of ear infections. Owners should inspect their dog’s ears weekly and clean them when necessary. Your veterinarian can provide instructions on how to properly clean the coonhound’s ears. (Be sure not to clean the dog’s ears too often, though—excessive cleaning can also lead to ear infections!)
• Bathing: Hound dogs can be stinky—imagine a strong “doggy” odor—and the Black and Tan is no exception. Plan on regular baths to keep your pet from getting smelly.

Recommended

Two Sweet LA Dogs Are Still Up for Adoption a Year After Being Rescued By Actor Chris Pine

Dec 7, 2024 1:05 PM EST

Distinctive Features

You can’t help but notice the Black and Tan Coonhound’s ears. Their ears are long, low-set, and drooping, with a velvety texture. They’re so long that they hang well past the dog’s nose and drag on the ground as it tracks a scent. Amazingly, these long ears improve the coonhound’s sense of smell: By dragging across the ground, the ears work like brooms that sweep odors towards the dog’s nose.

This breed’s powerful build also stands out. The B&T is a sleek, muscular dog with a sloping neck, a level back, strong legs, and well-knuckled paws. It’s a graceful runner that takes long, rhythmic strides. A Black and Tan Coonhound running at full stride is an impressive sight!

Temperament and Personality Traits

Black and Tan Coonhounds are outgoing, friendly dogs that love to be with their families. They’re even fairly friendly to strangers, though they may be a bit reserved at first. This breed is easy-going and very adaptable to changes in schedule. They love to laze around the house when they’re indoors, but if they’re outside hunting, they are absolutely driven and determined. When these dogs work, they work hard!

Owners can expect lots of love and loyalty from their Black and Tan Coonhound. In fact, this breed gets lonely when their people aren’t around, and they’re known to howl sadly (and loudly) when they’re left alone. B&Ts can also be destructive if they’re lonely or bored, so prospective owners should ensure they can spend a lot of time with their dog and engage it with interesting activities.

Are Black and Tan Coonhounds Good With Children?

Yes! These dogs are generally great with kids because they’re gentle, friendly, and calm. They are a large breed, though, so smaller children should always be supervised around them.

Black and Tan Coonhounds have medium-high energy and playfulness levels, so they enjoy playing with kids, especially outdoors. However, it’s crucial to be aware of the coonhound’s prey drive whenever they’re outside—if they smell something interesting, they could easily pull away from a child even if they’re on a leash. It’s best to restrict playtime to areas that are fully enclosed with a high, secure fence.

Do They Get Along With Other Pets?

The Black and Tan Coonhound is very compatible with other dogs. Although they have a high prey drive, they can get along well with smaller pets if they were raised with them or trained to behave around them. However, any small animal in the wild will seem like fair game to this breed; their instinct will always be to track and chase it.

Health and Lifespan

While this breed tends to be healthy, there are a few health issues that owners should monitor their dogs for.

Common Health Issues for Black and Tan Coonhounds

• Hemophilia: This breed is genetically susceptible to hemophilia, which is a bleeding disorder. Dogs with hemophilia may bleed excessively when they’re injured, and they may also bleed internally into their joints and muscles. Veterinarians generally conduct a blood clotting test before surgeries to check for hemophilia. Black and Tan Coonhounds tend to have a higher risk for hemophilia B, which is a milder form than hemophilia A.
• Hip Dysplasia: This is a genetic disease that’s common in large breeds like coonhounds. With hip dysplasia, the ball and socket of the hip grow at different rates when the dog is a puppy, making the hip joint loose and eventually leading to osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease. Since it’s genetic, responsible breeders will screen Black and Tan Coonhounds for hip dysplasia. Owners who adopt B&Ts as puppies should also make sure not to overfeed their growing dogs; overfeeding has been found to increase the dog’s risk of developing hip dysplasia.
• Ear Infections: As mentioned earlier, Black and Tan Coonhounds are prone to ear infections because their long, floppy ears trap moisture and create the ideal conditions for yeast and bacteria to thrive. Owners should check their dog’s ears weekly.
• Cataracts: Older B&Ts are prone to cataracts, which are cloudy areas on the lens of the eye. Cataracts can cause blindness. Surgery may be an option for some dogs, though many dogs simply adjust to their reduced vision. You can consult with your veterinarian to determine the best course of action for your dog.
• Thyroid Issues: Black and Tan Coonhounds may develop hypothyroidism, meaning their body isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone. Your veterinarian will screen your B&T for hypothyroidism annually and prescribe replacement hormone medication, if necessary.
• Coonhound Paralysis: This disease is usually caused by raccoon bites. The dog’s immune system will sometimes react to the raccoon saliva, causing sudden paralysis. If your B&T gets bitten or scratched by a raccoon, watch them carefully for the next few weeks; symptoms usually develop within 7–14 days. As scary as this disease sounds, it is usually treatable, though the dog will need intensive care. Recovery and rehabilitation may take several weeks.

It’s important to note that Black and Tan Coonhounds are not genetically more susceptible to coonhound paralysis than other breeds—it’s just that they tend to be around raccoons more often, increasing their likelihood of getting bitten.

Preventative Care

Schedule regular vet check-ups for your pet. Your veterinarian can screen and monitor your dog for some of the health problems mentioned above, as well as other typical canine issues like heartworm, fleas, and dental disease. The National Breed Club also recommends that Black and Tan Coonhounds receive regular cardiac exams, hip evaluations, and ophthalmologist evaluations from their vet.

You can make a huge impact on your pet’s health by helping them maintain a healthy weight. Especially in large breeds, canine obesity can compound joint issues like hip dysplasia. Talk to your veterinarian about the appropriate amount to feed your coonhound, as well as options for healthy diets and treats.

Average Lifespan

The life expectancy for Black and Tan Coonhounds is 10–12 years. This matches the average for large dog breeds in general.

Training and Exercise

Puppy training courses, obedience classes, and socialization exercises are important for young Black and Tan Coonhounds. Obedience training is key for this breed, since coonhounds have such strong hunting instincts. Owners need to be able to control their dogs and prevent them from running off on the trail of an intriguing scent.

However, training this breed can be challenging. Black and Tan Coonhounds are smart dogs, but they’re also stubborn and independent. They’ll want to make their own decisions—like chasing down that squirrel—rather than following your commands.

Tips for Effective Training

• Get it right the first time. This is an intelligent dog with a good memory. Once you train a Black and Tan Coonhound to do something, they’ll do it the same way every time. Make sure you train them correctly the first time, and stay consistent!
• Make the training engaging. Short training sessions are best for this breed. Choose training tasks that are interesting and mentally stimulating to keep your dog’s attention. Try playing to their strengths—for example, Black and Tan Coonhounds love to track scents, so you might incorporate some tasks that involve finding hidden items (toys, treats) into the training.
• Use positive reinforcement. Praise your B&T and offer them a small treat when they follow your commands. This is a food-motivated breed, so treats work well! (Just don't overdo it with the treats so your dog doesn't become overweight.)

Exercise Requirements

This athletic breed needs daily exercise. You can take your dog out for a long walk, but be certain to keep it on a leash at all times. An unleashed Black and Tan Coonhound will be off and running as soon as it catches a whiff of an interesting scent!

You can let your dog loose in the yard, but only if it’s fully enclosed with a sturdy, high fence. Supervision is recommended, too—after all, this breed loves to be with its people, so your dog will prefer to play with you than by itself. Try creating scent trails for your pet to follow across the yard, and hide some toys in various spots.

Field Activities

These are hunting dogs, and if you’re a hunter, your coonhound will love to go with you. They also excel at canine field events like scent trailing and nite hunts, which are hunting events where the dog tracks native game at night, as they were bred to do.

Finding a Black and Tan Coonhound

If the B&T sounds like the perfect breed for you and your family, you can look into adopting one from a rescue organization or buying one from a reputable breeder.

Adopting a Dog From a Rescue Organization

There are both national and local dog rescues that focus on Black and Tan Coonhounds. The American Black & Tan Coonhound Rescue (ABTCR) is a national organization that lists dogs available for adoption across the country. (They also work with rescued Bloodhounds.) You can search for local rescue groups in your area as well. And don’t forget to regularly check your local shelters—you can filter the available dogs by breed on many shelter websites.

Rescue organizations work hard to find good, safe homes for their dogs, so you can expect to go through an application and screening process when adopting a pet. For example, the ABTCR requires prospective adopters to fill out an application with information about their household, their current pets, their experience with coonhounds, and other details. You can also expect to pay an adoption fee.

Purchasing a Dog From a Breeder

Many breeders are available for Black and Tan Coonhounds, but not all of them are reputable. It’s essential to buy a dog from a breeder that practices health testing (to screen for genetic diseases like hip dysplasia) and follows ethical breeding standards. Some organizations offer breeder referrals for vetted breeders.

• The American Black & Tan Coonhound Club lists member breeders that abide by its code of ethics.
• The AKC lists B&T puppies for sale from breeders that follow its strict rules and regulations.

Consider reading the AKC’s Guide to Responsible Dog Breeding so you’re familiar with the signs of a reputable breeder—and the red flags for a disreputable one.