Now here’s a strange name for a dog, but the Treeing Walker Coonhound is an excellent breed that many would love to have as a pet. And if you’re not 100% sure what one of these guys looks like, it’s fair to say that they are a “bit” like a giant Beagle, but they are different dogs, so don’t expect similar traits!
This is why…
We wanted to take a moment and discuss the Treeing Walker Coonhound dog breed in greater detail so that if you’re ever allowed to make one of these guys your own, you’ll know for sure if that’s going to be a good idea. After all, the last thing we would ever want to see is one of these incredible dogs end up in the wrong home simply because their owner didn’t know what they were getting into. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Treeing Walker Coonhound Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Height: 20 to 30 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 40 to 80 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Hound group
Lifespan: 10 to 14 years
Origin of the Treeing Walker Dog Breed
Unlike other dogs, the history of this pup isn’t all that fleshed out, though; yes, it’s a scent hound. We know they are descendants of the English Foxhound, who you could say were early dog immigrants to America.
If fact…
They probably arrived before the US was even officially formed. Then, these dogs were bred with other dogs, including the Tennessee Lead and Walker foxhound. Eventually, the Treeing Walker came into existence, though they used to be called English Coonhounds.
The ironic…
The thing about these guys is that despite being a part of US history even before the United States was founded, it wasn’t until 2012 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) finally got around to “officially” recognizing this breed.
Hopefully…
Now that they did, this excellent dog breed will start getting more attention than they deserve, and folks may stop calling them by other names, such as Beagle or Foxhound.
Physical Characteristics
This tri-color dog looks similar to a Beagle because of its black, brown, and white coloring in board patches. He also has shorthair and similarly floppy ears. However, as we already stated, the two have nothing to do with each other. One big difference between the black and tan dogs is that the Treeing Walker is tall, and the beagle is short.
Personality and Temperament
The Treeing Walker can have various personalities, making it exciting but also challenging to know what you’re getting into when you get one. Some are shy yet protective, while others are outgoing and friendly. These variations have a lot to do with the fact that the breed came into existence with the help of many other species, so therefore, they can take after any number of breeds personality-wise.
Now…
As far as training is concerned, it’s always a good idea to start young. If you train these guys as puppies, you’re likelier to have a friendly, social dog who obeys commands. However, if you don’t start when the dog is a puppy, that’s a different story altogether.
Also, as a scent hound, this dog does need to have some mental stimulation to be happy, as well as decent exercise. These are two things you should keep in mind, particularly if you plan to be gone all day long at the office. This dog isn’t all that happy being home alone for 10 hours a day!
We should also mention that…
This dog is known as “The People’s Choice” among all the hounds, and there’s a reason for that. This is a very affectionate breed, and they are a preferred dog for families with kids. That said, you still wouldn’t want to leave a small child alone with any dog, no matter how cute and cuddly the dog (or kid) happen to be.
Potential Health Concerns
A dog’s health and life expectancy has a lot to do with the breeders and breeding techniques. If the breeder has done due diligence to eradicate any health problems the dog is predisposed to, he will have a significantly higher chance of living a whole and healthy life. However, even with good breeding, some genetic problems can happen.
The most likely problems for a Walker Hound include the following:
Hip Dysplasia: this is very common for a lot of breeds. It may not require anything, but it could need surgery to fix. This surgery could cost more than $500 and as much as $3000, depending on where you live and the vet. Other than this, there aren’t too many problems that the treeing walker will be at risk of. That said, of course, anything can happen at any time. Your dog can contract an illness or infection or have a problem like cancer without evidence of such in his lineage. But you can’t just not get a dog because you’re scared he may get sick.
And while…
Many of these conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can become quite expensive, particularly if they become recurring issues. This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.
Now will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?
For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.
