Ever wondered what makes the Black and Tan Coonhound a number 1 choice for people looking for a guard dog as well as a livestock protection hunting dog for keeping Coyotes away?
The Coonhound dogs naturally have a great sense of smell and can track something from a far distance. They are also fast runners, which is a major trait that a hunting dog must have.
Is the Coonhound Aggressive?
The Coonhound do not really get along well with other dogs or other pets. Since they have a prey drive, they have a tendency to chase smaller pets.
However, they can be trained to socialize at a very young age, in which case they will only be socializing with only those pets it grew up with.
Can the Black and Tan Coonhound make a good guard dog?
First of all, this dog is very muscular which gives it a scary appearance. In addition to that, they do not like strangers around the compound, in which case they bark very loudly to scare them away.
The Black and Tan Coonhound dog is also very brave and will protect you against anything.
If you have this dog in your compound, you can be assured that your property is safe, even when you are not home.
Quick Facts About the Coonhound
- Weight: 40 to 75 pounds
- Lifespan: 10 to 12 years
- Height: 21 to 27 inches
It is a mixed breed that was produced from crossing the Bloodhound and the well-known Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound.
They were created in the United States dating back to as far as the 19th century.
They have a muscular appearance which is very intimidating. It frightens people even before they get close to it.
They also have a loud bark and can fall in the category of singing dogs because it likes to howl- let’s call it the singing giant.
The Coonhound’s other names is the American Black and Tan Coonhound.
History Of The Black And Tan Coonhound Breed
The Black and Tan Coonhound mix breed originated from the United States a few hundred years back.
During that time, their main use was hunting animals like raccoons. It can be assumed that this is where the name Coonhound came from.
This meant that the dog had to have good tracking skills so that they do not lose the trail of what they are chasing.
It also had to have a very good running speed. It’s very tall legs and high chest allowed it to run really fast.
They produced a breed that was fast, had a good sense of smell and was very strong to enable it to take down their game and get a good grip as well.
It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that this breed became very popular in the US. It was recognized by the American Kennel club in 1945.
The other hounds which are considered to be varieties of coonhound along with this Black and Tan Coonhound were recognized some years later in 2010.
These hounds are:
- The Plott Coonhound,
- The Bluetick Coonhound,
- The English Coonhound,
- The treeing Coonhound
- The Redbone Coonhound.
Today, a majority of these dogs are still used for hunting deer, wolves and even predators as big as a bear. This indeed proves that the Black and Tan Coonhound is a very strong dog that does not back down from a fight.
So, is the Black and Tan Coonhound dog breed dangerous?
The Coonhounds are synonymous for being stackup, daringly proud and independent dogs that likes to wonder on their own unsupervised.
This characteristic, along with the fact that they have a high prey drive makes the Black and Tan Coonhound a very dangerous dog.
Before you buy this dog, consider having a tall fence around your compound to keep your Coonhound inside your backyard at all times.
Having said this, the Coonhound is not a suitable dog for you if you are living in an apartment or a small house.
Also, your dog should get used to being on a leash. If you plan on taking a walk outside, keep your Coonhound on a leash throughout.
Their prey drive makes them chase anything that moves so keeping them on a leash will make sure that your dog doesn’t chase anyone’s cat up the tree.
The Physical Appearance Of The Black And Tan Coonhound.
As its name states, this dog is black and has tan markings. The markings are similar to those of the Rottweiler and Doberman breeds.
It has a tail which becomes curved when the dog is alert to something in its surrounding.
The Black and tan Coonhound has long legs that allow it to reach top speeds during hunting or other sporting activities.
The Black and tan Coonhound also has brown eyes and wide, floppy ears.
The height and weight of males and females varies in these breeds. For instance, the male dog has an average weight range of 50 pounds to 75 pounds while the female’s weight ranges from 40 pounds to about 65 pounds.
In terms of height, the male dogs range from 21 inches to as high as 27 inches while females are slightly shorter with a height range of 21 to 24 inches.
Are The Black And Tan Coonhound Friendly Dogs? (Temperament)
While they may have an intimidating look, they are very friendly around familiar faces. On top of that, they like to form deep bonds with their family.
They like to be around their owners at all time and tend to develop separation anxiety when they have been left alone for short time.
The Black And Tan Coonhound Have A High Prey Drive.
Like we said before, these coonhounds have a high prey drive and will often be seen chasing squirrels, cats or anything that catches their eye.
As such, most pet owners make sure that their backyard is secured with a solid tall fence all round your compound; that way, your Coonhound does not get into trouble.
The Black And Tan Coonhound Are Easy To Train
These dogs are very intelligent and attentive to their owners. This enables them to be very easy to train and remember commands
For best results, have some treats with you when you are training your dog, this should make training easier.
Note: once you train your dog something, it will keep doing it that way for the rest of its life. Make sure you train it properly.
The Coonhound dog breed is known for being stubborn.
These tracking dogs have a great sense of smell. Because of it, they tend to get distracted easily, especially during training.
On top of that, if they are on the trail of something they are tracking, it will be very hard for you to stop them.
What about food Requirements?
Fortunately, the Black and Tan Coonhound is not very selective in what it eats. There are so many foods that you can feed it.
They do very well with high-quality dog food regardless of whether they are prepared at home or they are manufactured.
The best food that you can feed to your dog is that which has a balanced and measured amount of nutrients- A balanced diet.
You can also feed your dog human food that are safe for dogs.
These dogs need a daily diet that has at least 20% of proteins, 10% of vegetables and the rest should be covered by other nutrients of in smaller proportions. For instance, calcium should be about 5% in the diet.
These active dogs should also be given a lot of water. Since they are very active, they tend to get dehydrated after a short time so they consume a lot of water.
Make sure that you buy a water bowl and it must be filled with water at all time.
Exercise Requirements
Because they are such active dogs, these dogs require a lot of exercises. The amount of time to exercise your dog should be about 1 to 2 hours in a day.
Go for activities like long walks. Aside that, also give your dog some mental exercises to refresh its mind.
If you like hunting, take this dog with you on your hunting trip.
What about grooming?
The Coonhound has a short, glossy coat which is relatively easier to maintain than long one. The coat must be brushed once a week after their weekly baths.
However, their coat sheds once a year so during the shedding seasons, they must be brushed on a daily basis to remove the dead hair.
Not only does this make the dog’s skin healthier by stimulating growth of new fur, it also keeps you from too much vacuuming around the house to clean the hairs.
Grooming is a great way for you to bond with your dog.
Coonhound Health Concerns
The Black and Tan Coonhound is prone to quite a few diseases as compared to other dogs. Despite how few they may be, they can be deadly if they are taken lightly.
Always make sure that you take your dog for checkups regularly- at least once in every 5 to 6 months.
Here are the sicknesses that are to be expected if you plan on having this dog.
Ear Cancer
Ear cancer is a very painful disease for your dog to experience. The worst part is that the cancer cells multiply at a very fast rate.
Besides that, it is a difficult disease to suspect.
You should always check the ears when you are giving your dog a bath. If you see anything that shows signs of infection, take your dog to the vet.
If your dog is diagnosed with the early stages of cancer, a surgical treatment can be performed that can cure the condition.
It is almost impossible to save a dog that has severe cancer. You do not want to hear your vet telling you that your dog has to be put out of her misery.
So, make sure that you have regular checkups for your dog with a local veterinarian near you!
Hip Dysplasia
This is, by far, the number 1 disease that large dog breeds are susceptible to. Hip Dysplasia is a type of dog arthritis that affects the dog’s hip joints and causes extreme pain.
If you do not pay attention to the symptoms, the hip dysplasia can advance and eventually cause lameness.
This is common in adult coonhounds, it is very rare in pups.
While the disease is treatable, you can feed your dog foods that contain joint support minerals.
Check for foods that have glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate and methylsulfonylmethane in them. You can ask your vet for recommendations.
The above mentioned nutrients must be present in all of your dog foods as these supplements are more likely to reduce susceptibility.
Cataracts
This is a condition that causes a dog’s eyes to become cloudy, limiting their ability to see clearly.
As time passes, the cloudiness thickens and covers more eye-surface, which can eventually lead to blindness.
Most dog owners never find out that the dog has cataracts until it is too late.
This is because it is really the hardest disease to spot. We do not see through our dog’s eye.
So we say again, take your dog for examinations. If this disease is found in its early phases, it is very easily treatable.
Lifespan – The Life Expectancy Of Coonhound Dog Breed.
The average lifespan of a Black and tan Coonhound is only about 10 to12 years, which is a lot less than other dog breeds that enjoy a long lifespan for such an amazing dog
