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 ’em in a knot?
Can you tie ’em in a bow?”
And when we do…
We do with a smile because, in addition to having really long “adorable” ears, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a real sweetheart, which is why we love recommending this breed… to the right owner!
Now will you be the “right” owner for one of these incredible animals?
That’s a question we simply won’t be able to answer for you, but what we can do is provide you with some valuable information that will help you determine if adopting a Black and Tan Coonhound is going to be a good decision for you.
Because…
The last thing that we what to have happen if for you to chose to make one of this AWESOME dogs your next pet only to learn that he or she isn’t what your 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.
And even more…
Specifically, the Black and Tan was “probably” developed within the Appalachia, Blue Ridge, Ozark and Smokey mountains areas spanning throughout the states of 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 completely different that it is today. And 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 just 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 amazing 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 American has certainly changed over the years, one thing that hasn’t changed all that much is the popularity of the Black and Tan Coonhound, particularly in those states where he was originally created.
And while “hunting” as a way of life has significantly declined over the years, the Black and Tan Coonhound has proven himself to be an excellent companion and family dog, ensuring his long term popularity.
Physical characteristics of the Black and Tan Coonhound
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, probably the first thing that you’re going to notice about a typical Black and Tan Coonhound is that they have really long ears!
Then once you…
“Get” beyond the fact that he has really long ears, you’re probably going to start to notice that this dog always has a pretty “serious” look about him.
“It’s as though he ALWAYS means business!”
Now we here at…
IndulgeYourPet consider the Tan and Brown Coonhound quite a handsome fellow! But handsome in a “rough and tumble” way. If he was a man, Arnold Schwarzenegger would probably call him a “manly man”!
He has a…
Short coat that, you guessed it, is going to be “black and tan”. The good news is that these dogs don’t shed a ton, so you’re not going to have to spend too much time maintaining his or her coat.
Now…
There are black markings around his muzzle, legs, thighs and chest and even on the toes, almost as though they have been carved out with a pencil. Which, if you ask us, looks pretty cool!
Black and Tan Coonhound Temperament
In addition to the fact that the Black and Tan Coonhound is a very good looking dog, it’s important to note that he also has a great temperament as well.
He is a perfect family dog…
He is friendly, outgoing and amazing 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 very good watch dogs or guard dogs. Because they are constantly on alert and very protective of their “family” these dogs are going to be ideal for anyone looking for a dog that can not only get along with the kids, but also 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, these person will remain a “stranger” to your Black and Tan and will remain someone that he or she will keep a “watchful” eye on.
Which bring us to an important topic… Obedience training.
Black and Tan Coonhound Obedience training
Training should begin as early as possible and ideally when he or she is just a puppy. This is because the Black and Tan is a notoriously difficult 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 tend to be a bit of a “goofball” on occasion, particularly 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 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 quite loud, especially when they find a scent. They make a lot of noise when they are happy and excited about something.
- Make sure to have them leashed when you’re taking them out, and have your property fenced. Once this Coonhound finds a trail, he goes after it and forgets everything else!
And lastly…
You’re going to want to remember that this dog was bred to track other animals. Other animals such as a raccoons and opossums, which means that these dogs love to get a hold of a “scent” and run!
And when we say…
“Run” we mean “RUN”!
It seems as though these guys can just run forever! Which is great because, that means their a whole lot of fun to take on walks, jobs, or even to just let loose in a well fenced dog park.
The problem is…
When owners decide to adopt a Black and Tan Coonhound and keep him or her from getting the exercise that they need. When this occurs, the result is usually a very unhappy Black and Tan which can lead to a lot of destructive behaviors around the house.
This is why…
If you are thinking about adopting a Black and Tan, please be sure you are ready for the exercise requirements that this breed needs, otherwise you will be setting yourself up for failure.
Now on a positive note, when it comes to the health of the breed…
We should point out that the Black and Tan Coonhound breed is among the healthiest breeds out there, but even they are vulnerable to certain health problems.
Health problems such as
- Hip Dysplasia
- Ectropion
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
But if…
You decide to work with a “reputable” dog breeder, that is willing to guarantee the health of your puppy, has a CHIC certification for you puppy and is able to introduce you to your puppies parents when making your decision, chances are, you’ll be fine.
That said…
We here at IndulgeYourPet always like to remind folks who are seriously considering adopting a new animal that while they’re doing their due diligence, they should also take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy on their new loved one.
You see…
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 actually cost you, how will you know if purchasing one might be “right” for you?
You can’t really…
Which is why we here at IndulgeYourPet chose to write our Best Pet Insurance article so that we can not only discuss some of the pros and cons of owning such a policy, but also hopefully give you a better idea about how much one might cost.
