Black and Tan Coonhounds are large to giant-sized dogs considered to be one of America’s canine aristocrats. This should be no wonder considering the majestic size and beauty the Black and Tan Coonhound has. They feature coal-black coats with tan accents, long droopy ears, and expressive hazel brown eyes.
Although their size can be intimidating, Black and Tan Coonhounds are gentle and friendly dogs. They are gentle with children, get along well with other pets, and friendly with strangers. However, they do require someone who can control their stubbornness.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are also messy dogs, which will be a problem if you’re a neat freak. They’re also best living in areas where there are no neighbors nearby as they can be very vocal. However, if you find yourself a great fit and you can give them enough time and attention, they are lovable dogs.
Black and Tan Coonhound Breed Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Hound Group |
| Breed Size | Large to Giant |
| Height | 25-27 inches (male); 23-25 inches (female) |
| Weight | 65-110 pounds |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
Black and Tan Coonhound Breed Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
History
Black and Tan Coonhounds are dogs with American roots. They were developed in the southern mountains of the US around the 1700s.
They are direct descendants of the English Foxhounds and were developed to hunt raccoons. American breeders crossed foxhounds and bloodhounds to create their kind of hounds – one that can trail and tree their quarry and then alert hunters afterward.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are known to be versatile hunters. Although they were originally developed to tree raccoons and possums, they are also capable of chasing big games. This makes them ideal companions of colonial settlers.
By 1945, the dogs were recognized by the American Kennel Club. They rank 138th as the most popular dog breed in the US, and only their fans know how great a companion dog B&Ts are.
Black and Tan Coonhound Temperament
Black and Tan Coonhounds are easy-going, bright, and brave dogs. These dogs are very sociable, outgoing, and never aggressive.
They love their families, and they love being part of family activities. It’s essential to shower these dogs with lots of time and attention. Although they are well-mannered indoors, you should maintain a balance and take them outdoors for their exercise.
They may not be the best fit for city dwellers because they can be very vocal dogs. And considering their large size, they are also not fit for apartment living.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are very gentle with children. And since they are developed to work closely with other hounds, they get along well with other dogs.
They can be reserved with strangers they don’t know, so be sure to give a quick introduction. It’s also a great idea to socialize them at a young age, so they know how to respond when introduced to someone new. This also helps in making them more well-rounded.
Training sessions may not be that easy, but we recommend giving lots of positive reinforcements through foods and praises. Keep sessions short but interesting, and remember to be consistent and firm.
Care Requirements
- Nutrition: It’s essential to feed your Back and Tan Coonhound high-quality and well-balanced meals. They can live with any type of diet, but make sure that it contains essential nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. For home-cooked diets, make sure that you only buy high-quality ingredients. We recommend introducing fruits and vegetables to your dog’s diet as these are excellent sources of fiber and vitamins. For dog food, always get the premium quality ones and ensure that it doesn’t contain any ingredient that can be harmful to your dog. Walkers like eating, so make sure that you don’t overfeed them. You can ask your vet on some guide about how much to feed your dog to make sure they don’t get overweight. Measurements should highly depend on your dog’s age and amount of activities.
- Grooming: Black and Tan Coonhounds have short coats that shed seasonally. These coats are effortless to maintain and will only need weekly brushing to maintain. Think of brushing as your bonding, and this also helps remove dead hair and dirt from the skin. Baths can be given occasionally, depending on if they get too dirty with their activities. These dogs don’t smell a lot but remember that it’s essential to clean their ears regularly. Nails should be trimmed regularly as well, so they don’t become too long. Long nails may cause pain and discomfort to your dogs.
- Exercise: Black and Tan Coonhounds are active dogs that need a regular but moderate amount of exercise. This can be in the form of long walks or play sessions in a securely fenced yard. As these dogs are hunters, they’ll enjoy a hunting trip with you, whether it be hunting for raccoons, deer, or squirrels as long as it’s permitted. Hiking is also something they’ll enjoy. And if you want to give them extra attention, train them to participate in coonhound field events where they can showcase their skills more.
- Health: Black and Tan Coonhound are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan. But there are two diseases that they are susceptible to and that you must watch out for. These are hip dysplasia and cataracts. It’s vital to give these dogs the right amount of exercise they need and also the proper care. Monitor your dog’s behavior always and watch out for any symptoms. If you observe any changes, bring him immediately to the vet. You can also have your dog take some screening tests to detect certain diseases at an early stage. And if you’re concerned if your dog will inherit any condition, we recommend meeting at least one of your dog’s parents.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of Black and Tan Coonhounds is 10-12 years.
Famous Black and Tan Coonhounds
- Grand Mere Big Rock Molly: First registered Black and Tan Coonhound
Fun Facts about Black and Tan Coonhounds
- Black and Tan Coonhounds were developed in the US around the 1700s.
- They were developed by crossbreeding a foxhound and a bloodhound.
- These dogs were developed to hunt raccoons and other animals that can climb trees.
- They are one of the first First Dogs of the United States; George Washington owned one.
- They are the first coonhound registered by the American Kennel Club.
- They were recognized as an official breed by AKC in 1945.
Check Out Other Hound Dog Breeds:
Afghan Hound, American English Coonhounds, American Foxhound, Basenjis, Basset Hound, Beagle, Bloodhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Borzois, Cirnechi dell’Etna, Dachshund, English Foxhound, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdogs, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Otterhound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Pharaoh Hounds, Plotts, Portuguese Podengo, Redbone Coonhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Sloughis, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Whippet
