Black and tan kunhound: all about the breed, dog photo, description

Characteristics

Brief information

History of the Black and Tan Coonhound breed

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a dog breed that originated in America. There is a possibility that it arose as a result of crossing the Foxhound and the Bloodhound. But there is no definitive theory.

The first representatives of the breed appeared in the Appalachian mountains, and also lived in the regions of the Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge. There, with black and tan coonhounds, they successfully hunted raccoons and bears. These dogs, inherited from their ancestors the perfect scent for the tracks of animals, could pursue and find prey in rough terrain. At the same time, their abilities were preserved even with fast walking and running.

Black and tan Coonhounds can track any animal. But their main specialization is raccoons and opossums, so the dogs are well adapted to hunting at night. When the dog drives the prey into a trap, it starts to bark loudly. She does not stop giving a signal to the hunter until he comes to this call.

The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1945, but the Black and Tan Coonhound has always been used more for hunting than as a pet or show dog. In the United States, organized hunting at night is very popular. Therefore, the United Kennel Club organizes separate exhibitions for kunhounds. Not only black and tan hounds participate in them, but also speckled blue, English, and some other representatives of the hounds.

The black and tan coonhound is also called the American raccoon dog or raccoon hound. This breed was the only one among the raccoon hounds, which was officially recognized. All other Coonhounds are just varieties of black and tan.

Description of the breed

The black and tan coonhound is a hunting dog. Therefore, his main task is to work on rough terrain both in severe frost and in the summer heat. The dog must track down the raccoon and drive him up the tree so that he is trapped. The dog does this only with the help of the lower instinct. That is, sniffing out the tracks of the beast left on the surface of the earth.

A club that breeds black and tan coonhounds should pay special attention to the working qualities of the breed strength, alertness and energy. Thanks to them, dogs can be used to hunt larger animals such as bears or deer.

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by the ability to make rhythmic and wide jumps, thus moving around the area. Therefore, well-developed muscles and strong bones are extremely important for them.

Head

Head. Has a clear outline. The distance from the nose to the occiput is 23-25 ​​centimeters in males and 20-23 centimeters in females. The skull is rounded, without skin folds.

Muzzle. Well muscled, has an oblong shape. If you look at the animal from the side, then the upper longitudinal lines of the muzzle and skull will be parallel to each other. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is moderate, located at an equal distance from the occiput and nose.

Ears. Hang down, forming beautiful folds. Located closer to the back of the head.

Nose. The nose is black in color, quite large. Nostrils large, open wide.

mouth. The jaws are strong, the muscles are well developed.

Teeth. The incisors are in line, scissor bite.

Lips. Flies are present, well developed, like any representative of the hounds. Excessively saggy and “raw” lips are a vice.

Eyes. May be dark brown or hazel. Yellow eyes are considered marriage. Expression meaningful, interested, alert.

Neck. Well muscled, medium length, no dewlap.

Frame

Frame. It has a square shape, the length of the body is equal to the height at the withers or slightly exceeds it. Back straight and strong.

Breast. The chest is quite deep, reaching to the elbows or even lower. The ribs are convex.

Tail. Located just below the line of the back, quite strong. In a calm state, it hangs down, during the movement of the animal it rises up and takes a vertical position.

limbs

The movements of the animal are light and graceful. In the process of running, the dog captures a lot of space with its front limbs and strongly pushes off the surface with its hind limbs. If you look at a black and tan coonhound from the front, then his forelimbs will move in a straight line, not intersecting. Behind the hocks in motion are in line with the forelegs, standing neither close nor too far away. When the dog moves quickly, he puts the limbs closer to the center of the body.

front. Shoulders are strong and well developed. Forearms are straight, pasterns are strong and sheer. Paws with well clenched toes. Pads are thick and fleshy. Flat paws are considered a vice.

Rear. Paws are muscular, with well-developed bones. The shins are long with short and strong metatarsus. In the stance, the paws are pulled back, and the metatarsus is in a vertical position. Hock and knee joints are pronounced. Dewclaws are considered a vice.

Wool

The black and tan coonhound has a very dense and coarse guard hair. It protects the animal from any bad weather and allows you to work in rain, snow, frost and sunshine. Wool is richly impregnated with special secretions from the skin, which gives it moisture-repellent properties.

Interestingly, the scars that an animal can receive in the process of hunting do not affect its exterior in any way when assessing appearance.

colors

The name of the breed speaks for itself. The main color is black, it is very saturated. Tans are pronounced, a contrasting shade. They can be located in the area of ​​​​the muzzle, on the “eyebrows”, chest, paws, and also under the tail.

Too little tan or its complete absence is considered a marriage. A white spot on the chest is permissible, the size of which does not exceed two centimeters. Similar marks on other parts of the body are considered a defect.

Character

Black and tan Coonhounds are renowned for their hard work and endurance. They are not only tireless, but also know no fear. Therefore, they began to be used as companions in the hunt for a larger animal. A well-trained dog will help track down a deer and not be afraid of a cougar or a bear.

At the same time, they are very loyal to their owners, and treat all other family members affectionately. These dogs are always happy to communicate, easy-going and will gladly follow orders given to them. This, of course, applies exclusively to educated animals. Training will have to be given a lot of time in order to eventually get an obedient companion and a true friend.

This breed of dog has another character trait it’s independence. They are able to make their own decisions when needed. But, if you provide this choice to the dog all the time, then you risk getting an uncontrollable and wayward dog. Therefore, in the process of training, it is necessary to show patience and perseverance so that the animal obeys you implicitly.

This breed is good with children. Dogs are very energetic by nature, so they will be happy to play with younger family members. The black and tan coonhound can be taken with you on long walks and involved in any sports games. He will happily jump for a frisbee or run next to a bike. If the child is still too young, you need to be careful. This breed is quite large, so the animal can accidentally push the baby and injure him.

The black and tan coonhound can also be used as a watchman. Security skills in it are developed quite well, although the breed is a hunting breed. These dogs are suspicious and wary of all strangers and will watch their territory vigilantly.

Black and tan coonhounds can get along with other dogs, as representatives of this breed hunt in groups. But a puppy needs to be socialized from birth if you want him to get along with other dogs. But other animals can be a problem. The developed hunting instinct of the dog, which is almost impossible to suppress, is to blame for everything. Therefore, cats, birds and rodents such as rabbits or chinchillas will be at risk.

Education and training

You need to accustom a dog to loads immediately, as soon as she got into your family. But this should be done very carefully, gradually increasing the number and duration of classes. It is very important to protect the joints of the black and tan coonhound, even if you are sure that the animal does not have dysplasia.

Up to six months, the dog should not jump from a great height, as well as run up and down stairs often and for a long time. To start strengthening the animal’s muscle corset, swimming is ideal. Loads in the water are allowed for any breed of dog, are an excellent prevention of many diseases of the joints and bones, and also have no contraindications.

Not everyone can handle raising a black and tan coonhound. This dog is quite stubborn by nature. So that she does not behave as she pleases, from an early age you need to start training the puppy and clearly indicate to him the boundaries of what is permitted. Do not allow connivance, stand on your position firmly, but not aggressively. Physical punishment, like screaming, is unacceptable in raising a black and tan coonhound. By such methods, you will only intimidate the dog, injure its psyche. The animal will stop trusting you and may begin to throw out retaliatory aggression on you and those around you.

From the first days, start introducing the puppy to the outside world, doing it gradually. He must understand what poses a real threat to him, and what he should not be afraid of. Learn the simplest commands with your puppy:

A puppy can master them already at the age of three months. Do not demand everything from the baby at once. Have patience, you will have to repeat commands more than once to achieve a stable result. Even when the dog remembers them firmly, you need to continue to include them in training, supplementing them with more complex options.

Use treats to boost your puppy’s workouts. Then the dog will not think about whether she needs to follow this or that command. She will follow her instincts. So you will ensure that the dog develops a reflex. In the future, he will unquestioningly carry out all your orders. And this is very important for hunting breeds.

The black and tan coonhound was bred for hunting, so his genetics have resistance to difficult weather conditions, endurance, and the ability to work in difficult terrain. The task of the dog is to track down the prey and drive it into a trap. Since raccoons are most often this prey, trees become their trap. Animals climb on them, running away from persecution.

In work, the black and tan coonhound uses only his sharp sense of smell. Dogs don’t need to use their eyesight to track down and drive the beast.

Today, hunting can be more attributed to a hobby or a kind of sport than a necessity. In America, where the black and tan coonhound breed was bred, there is a tradition. Men go on a night hunt for a small furry animal. Where it occurs, raccoons and opossums are considered pests. Therefore, the authorities do not see anything criminal in such “entertainment”.

All the action begins from the outskirts of the city, where a group of hounds is released. They are looking for a trail, and when they take it, they begin to chase the beast and bark loudly. The dogs will not calm down until the animal is driven up a tree. Each dog has a unique voice that can be recognized not only by its four-legged “partner”, but also by the owner. By the intensity and timbre of barking, you can understand when dogs drive prey into a trap. Then the hunters rush to their destination. Black and tan coonhounds keep jumping, stretching towards the branches on which the animal is located.

This breed is highly regarded in the USA. Therefore, working animals with the best skills that have shown good success in hunting get into breeding. For the black and tan coonhound, his working qualities are more important than his conformation.

Maintenance and care

The Black and Tan Coonhound is not the best breed to keep in an urban environment, especially in an apartment. True fans of such beautiful animals may not be embarrassed if they are ready to take responsibility for the dog. Keeping her in such conditions will be quite difficult.

To feel comfortable, the black and tan coonhound needs a large territory for which he will be responsible and protect it. But even this dog will not be enough for a fulfilling life. He needs to be walked regularly. It is better if it is a wilderness where the animal can explore the territory and realize its hunting instincts.

This breed needs regular exercise. Ideally, the dog should be constantly involved in the hunt. If this is not possible, then it can be replaced with coursing. This is a sport and training in which hunting breeds can show their working qualities by chasing bait or a mechanical hare. If the dog is inactive, then this will negatively affect her mental and physical health.

In addition to physical activity, the black and tan coonhound must be provided with quality feeding and decent care. The vulnerable spot of these dogs is the ears. Due to their special structure and length, they often develop infections. Therefore, special attention should be paid to prevention in order to avoid serious problems in the future. Dog ears should be cleaned once every two weeks using a special antibacterial lotion. It can be purchased at a pet store or veterinary clinic.

No less attention should be paid to the eyes. Their mucous can become inflamed due to debris, dust or chips that fall into it during the hunt. Sensing prey, the dog keeps its muzzle low, so sand and blades of grass in the eyes of a black and tan coonhound are not uncommon. They need to be inspected after hunting and training, and wiped with lotion if necessary.

The older the dog, the more attention his teeth require. In particular, their cleaning. It is better to accustom your pet to this procedure from childhood. Tartar can be removed independently using brushes and special pastes. Dogs can be given dental bones that remove plaque when the dog chews them. So you can combine business with pleasure. In advanced cases, a veterinarian will help, who will brush your teeth with ultrasound.

If the dog lives in an apartment, then she needs to cut her claws regularly. Do not miss the right moment, otherwise they may injure the fingertips. Outdoor dogs wear their nails naturally, so they need to be clipped less often.

The black and tan coonhound has a short coat with no undercoat. Therefore, he does not need combing with a slicker. During the molting period, dogs are cleaned with a stiff brush, and if the animal is dirty, they wipe it with a towel.

Food

Nutrition for a black and tan coonhound is a very important aspect. It should contain enough proteins, at least 75% of the total diet. Therefore, choose dry or wet premium or super premium foods that are low in carbohydrates. This is especially true for those dogs whose activity is limited for one reason or another. Otherwise, there is a risk of obesity. And proteins are important for building lean muscle mass.

It is important to observe not only a balanced diet, but also its mode. An adult dog is given food twice a day, observing equal intervals between feedings.

The amount of food depends on the activity of the dog, its weight and age. To correctly calculate the dosage, follow the table that is on each pack of food. The daily rate is usually divided into two equal parts. One of them is fed in the morning, and the second in the evening. For example, it could be 7.00 and 19.00. Any schedule is acceptable, the black and tan coonhound will adapt to your schedule. The main thing is that feeding times are always respected.

Food should not be in the bowl between meals. If the dog has not finished eating or has refused to eat at all, and you are sure that he is healthy, simply remove the food until the next feeding. Then continue to follow the diet of the four-legged friend. This way you will teach him discipline, and also avoid problems with overeating.

Do not forget that the dog is always fed after, and not before, a walk or training. Let the dog properly “work up an appetite”. In addition, such actions on the part of the owner can prevent the possibility of gastric volvulus if the animal has a predisposition to it. This is especially true for large breeds of dogs, which include hounds.

In addition, it is difficult for a well-fed dog to perform tricks, do long runs and jumps. Interest in the offered treat as a reward drops.

The black and tan coonhound does not need variety in its diet. Dogs are not people. They don’t get bored of eating the same food. It should be well balanced, include all the necessary vitamins and minerals. That is why veterinarians advise giving preference to the highest quality food. With it, the dog does not need to take additional nutritional supplements.

If your pet is doing well, there is no reason to change food. It is better not to “mix” them and feed the dog with granules or canned food of only one company. Otherwise, in case of problems with the gastrointestinal tract or allergies, you will not be able to find out what exactly was such a negative reaction. 

Health of black and tan coonhounds

On average, a black and tan coonhound lives between 10 and 12 years. In general, these dogs are in good health. But there are some nuances. If you want to buy a puppy of this breed, then contact experienced and trusted breeders or well-known kennels. Black and tan coonhounds have hereditary diseases that are quite severe:

The black and tan coonhound has a special body composition and skull, so another of its “weak” zones can be considered the eye area, or rather, the eyelids. They can twist or twist. This problem may be congenital, or it may manifest itself during the puppy’s growth period. The good news is that this defect can be easily removed with a simple operation. If left to chance, dogs can develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) as they age. The animal will begin to rapidly lose visual acuity and may become completely blind.

Long ears are prone to infections and ear infections. With proper care, there will be no problems. But neglected cases develop into chronic ones and constantly torment the dog.

Like all dogs, the Black and Tan Coonhound must be vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule. This is very important, as the dog comes into contact with wild animals during the hunting process.

Mating for bitches is recommended from 20 months, and for males from 18. Mating is possible after 3-4 cycles. Bitches go into heat every 7-8 months. Fertilization is possible on the 10-14th day of the cycle. It is on these dates that the first mating is carried out, and the control is appointed in a day or two. Pregnancy in a black and tan coonhound lasts 56-72 days. About 7 puppies are born in a litter.

Who are black and tan coonhounds suitable for?

Obviously, this breed of dog is best for people who are fond of hunting. After all, the black and tan coonhound was bred for this very purpose. We can say that this is his purpose.

If hunting is not included in the plans, then it is better to start this breed for those who are ready to devote a lot of time and effort to the dog. It is suitable for an adult, consistent and balanced person who understands a lot about training and will not take out his anger on the animal.

If you do not have time for long walks, trips out of town and visits to the cynologist, then it is better to choose another puppy. A black and tan coonhound would not be the best option if you have cats or other animals in your house. Most likely, the instinct of the hunter will prevail sooner or later, even if the dog is brought up.

Those who want to get a puppy of this breed should also remember that this dog has a very loud and sonorous bark. This is another disadvantage for those who live in a multi-storey building. In addition, the apartment will not be the best option for maintenance. For such a large dog, a private house with a large fenced area is suitable, where the dog can throw out his energy.

Despite their short coat, black and tan Coonhounds tolerate cold and heat well. Therefore, the dog will be fine in an aviary and a wooden booth.

How to choose a puppy

If you are going to actively use an adult dog for hunting, then the puppy must be purebred, from working parents.

Make an appointment with someone offering a puppy. You can ask this person all the questions you are interested in, see the conditions in which the kids and their mother are kept. Don’t buy puppies from random markets. No one can guarantee that the baby is healthy. In addition, the black and tan coonhound is a rather rare breed, which is not many breeders. The likelihood that the market will “slip” you a mestizo is very high.

Well-known breeders offer healthy and purebred puppies from titled parents. Babies are vaccinated by age, have all the necessary documents. In addition, breeders are willing to help new owners with advice and support at first.

Price for black and tan coonhounds

The cost of a puppy of a black and tan coonhound depends on its blood and class:

Whatever puppy you choose, it will depend on you and need proper care. Remember that a dog is the best friend you are responsible for!