If you’re like us here at IndulgeYourPet, it’s almost impossible to look at a Black and Tan Coonhound without thinking about that popular nursery song that goes like this…
“Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?”
And when we do, we do with a smile because, besides having long “adorable” ears, the Black and Tan Coonhound is an absolute sweetheart, which is why we love recommending this breed… to the right owner!
Will you be the “right” owner for one of these incredible animals?
That’s a question we won’t be able to answer for you, but we can provide you with some valuable information that will help you determine if adopting a Black and Tan Coonhound will be a good decision for you. The last thing that we want to have to happen is for you to choose to make one of these AWESOME dogs your subsequent pe,t only to learn that they aren’t what you were hoping for!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Black and Tan Coonhound Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: USA
Original Purpose: Hound
Height: 23 to 27 inches tall
Weight: 65 to 100 pounds
Life Span: 10 to 12 years
Dog Classification: Hound group
Origins of the Black and Tan Coonhound
So, where did the Black and Tan come from? Unlike many of the other “hounds” within the AKC “hound group,” the Black and Tan Coonhound doesn’t have an “ancient” heritage. Instead, this beauty is 100% American-made. Even more specifically, the Black and Tan was “probably” developed within the Appalachia, Blue Ridge, Ozark, and Smokey Mountains throughout Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
It was there that…
These dogs were bred to be fantastic scent hounds perfect for hunting “game” of all sizes. You see, back in the early 18th century, when these dogs were first created, hunting was more of a profession than a hobby. People used to hunt for a living, and much of America was covered by thick forests. During this time, life in the US was utterly different than it is today. While it may be hard to fathom what it was like to live in those times, one thing that isn’t difficult to imagine is how useful it would be to own a dog like a Black and Tan Coonhound.
In fact…
Shortly after these dogs were created by “cross-breeding” the larger Bloodhound with the smaller Foxhound breed, this “midsize” hunting machine quickly became indispensable to the local population and prized for his fantastic hunting skills and ability to find and follow even a cold trail. One interesting fact about the Black and Tan Coonhound is that the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the Black and Tan in 1945, making him the very first Coonhound to receive this honor from the AKC. He was also recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC).
And while…
Life in America has undoubtedly changed over the years; one thing that hasn’t changed much is the popularity of the Black and Tan Coonhound, particularly in those states where he was initially created. Although “hunting” as a way of life has significantly declined over the years, the Black and Tan Coonhound has proven to be an excellent companion and family dog, ensuring his long-term popularity.
Physical Characteristics
The Black and Tan is a big dog, large-boned, and weighs easily up to 100 pounds with dark eyes and a long tail. That said, the first thing you’ll probably notice about a typical Black and Tan Coonhound is that they have long ears! Then once you… “Get” beyond the fact that he has long ears; you’ll probably start to notice that this dog always has a pretty “serious” look about him.
“It’s as though he ALWAYS means business!”
Now, we at IndulgeYourPet consider the Tan and Brown Coonhound quite handsome! But beautiful in a “rough and tumble” way. Arnold Schwarzenegger would probably call him a “manly man” if he were a man!
He has a short coat that, you guessed it, will be “black and tan.” The good news is that these dogs don’t shed a ton, so you won’t have to spend too much time maintaining their coat. There are black markings around his muzzle, legs, thighs, chest, and even toes, almost as though they have been carved out with a pencil. Which, if you ask us, looks pretty cool!
Personality and Temperament
In addition to the Black and Tan Coonhound being a beautiful dog, it’s important to note that he also has a great temperament. He is a perfect family dog; he is friendly, outgoing, and excellent with children. You should see how protective he is of the kids in the family and how careful he is around toddlers.
Plus, these dogs make for excellent watchdogs or guard dogs. Because they are constantly on alert and very protective of their “family,” these dogs will be ideal for anyone looking for a dog that can get along with the kids and keep a watchful eye on them.
Which is why…
You’ll always want to make sure that you take a moment and introduce any stranger to your Black and Tan Coonhound because until you do, this person will remain a “stranger” to your Black and Tan and will remain, someone they will keep a “watchful” eye on. This brings us to an important topic… Obedience training.
Black and Tan Coonhound Obedience training
Training should begin as early as possible and ideally when they are just a puppy. The Black and Tan is a notoriously tricky dog to train. This is probably because of their natural tendency to “chase” a scent, which often requires them to “think and act” independently.
In addition,
They sometimes tend to be a bit of a “goofball,” mainly when they are just puppies.
So, for those who haven’t made up their mind about adopting a Black and Tan Coonhound yet, here are a few things you’ll want to consider before you do:
- Black and Tan’s puppies tend to be jumpy around small children. But adult Black and Tans are very composed.
- These are family dogs, which means they love being around their people. They prefer living indoors with their human family rather than outdoors. They hate being ignored by their owner.
- These dogs can be pretty loud, especially when they find a scent. They make a lot of noise when they are happy and excited about something.
- Ensure to have them leashed when taking them out, and have your property fenced. Once this Coonhound finds a trail, he goes after it and forgets everything else!
Lastly, you’ll want to remember that this dog was bred to track other animals. Other animals, such as raccoons and opossums, meaning these dogs love to get a hold of a “scent” and run!
And when we say…
“Run” means “RUN”!
It seems as though these guys can just run forever! This is excellent because they’re a lot of fun to take on walks, jobs, or even let loose in a well-fenced dog park.
The problem is…
When owners decide to adopt a Black and Tan Coonhound and keep them from getting the exercise they need, the result is usually a very unhappy Black and Tan, leading to many destructive behaviors around the house. If you are considering adopting a Black and Tan, please be sure you are ready for the exercise requirements this breed needs; otherwise, you will be setting yourself another.
On a positive note, regarding the health of the breed…
We should point out that the Black and Tan Coonhound breed is among the healthiest species, but even they are vulnerable to specific health problems. Health problems such as:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Ectropion
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
But if you decide to work with a “reputable” dog breeder willing to guarantee your puppy’s health, has a CHIC certification for your puppy, and can introduce you to your puppy’s parents when making your decision, chances are, you’ll be fine.
That said…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always like to remind folks seriously considering adopting a new animal that while doing their due diligence, they should also take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for their new loved one. You know, no matter how careful you may be, there is always the chance that your pet could get sick or injured.
And guess what? Veterinarian bills can be expensive, so it’s always nice to have a pet insurance policy in place so that if anything does happen, you won’t be on the hook for 100% of the cost!
Now, will a pet insurance policy be a good fit for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you know what they will and won’t cover and how much they would cost you, how will you know if purchasing one might be “right” for you?
You can’t really…
This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet chose to write our Best Pet Insurance article so that we can discuss some of the pros and cons of owning such a policy and hopefully give you a better idea about how much one might cost.
