The Magnificent Coonhound Breeds: America’s Hunting Companions

Deep in America’s hunting tradition, six remarkable breeds stand out for their exceptional tracking abilities, distinctive voices, and unwavering determination. The American English Coonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Plott Hound, Redbone Coonhound, and Treeing Walker Coonhound share a common purpose but each brings unique characteristics to both the hunt and the home. These scent-obsessed hunters pursue their quarry through moonlit woods with relentless determination, yet transform into affectionate, easygoing companions when the hunt is done.

The Coonhound Legacy: America’s Homegrown Hunters

With origins dating back to the early American colonies, coonhounds represent one of America’s greatest contributions to the canine world. With the exception of the Plott Hound, these specialized hunting dogs trace their ancestry to scent hounds brought over from Great Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries. Early American settlers adapted these imports to meet the specific demands of hunting in the New World’s vast wilderness, creating dogs perfectly suited to track raccoons and other game through challenging terrain.

What sets coonhounds apart is their specialized hunting technique. Rather than killing their prey, these intelligent dogs are trained to follow scent trails until the quarry escapes up a tree. The coonhound then places its front paws against the trunk and sounds its distinctive baying call—a unique melody that not only alerts the hunter to the location but can often identify which specific dog has found success.

Today, all six coonhound breeds are recognized by the American Kennel Club as members of the Hound Group, where they compete in confirmation events and specialized Raccoon Hound competitions that showcase their extraordinary abilities.

Meet The Six Coonhound Breeds

Black and Tan Coonhound

As the first coonhound breed to receive AKC recognition in 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound holds a special place in American hunting history. These striking dogs are instantly recognizable by their coal-black coat accented by rich tan markings, including the distinctive “pumpkin seed” patches above their expressive eyes.

Black and Tan Coonhounds trace their ancestry all the way back to the Talbot Hound of 11th century England, though they were developed into their current form during America’s early settlement period. Large and athletic, they share a resemblance to Bloodhounds with their oversized, droopy ears that help funnel scent to their extraordinarily sensitive noses.

At home, these social, friendly hunters transform into easygoing companions who love nothing more than being surrounded by their human family. While they possess tremendous stamina for overnight hunts, they’re equally content to snooze by the fireside, making them adaptable to family life when properly exercised.

American English Coonhound

Sometimes called the English Coonhound or Redtick Coonhound, this versatile hunter gained full AKC recognition in 2011 as the organization’s 171st breed. Developed from foxhounds brought to America by early settlers, these medium-sized dogs are renowned for their agility, endurance, and remarkable ability to climb trees in pursuit of game.

The American English Coonhound sports a distinctive coat that typically comes in three variations: redtick, bluetick, or a tricolor tick pattern. Their high prey drive makes them exceptional at both raccoon hunting and treeing various game animals.

While intense and focused during the hunt, these hounds are typically friendly and sociable at home. They maintain their energetic nature, however, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and the destructive behaviors that can follow.

Bluetick Coonhound

With their striking mottled blue coat and warm, soulful eyes, Bluetick Coonhounds are perhaps the most visually distinctive of the coonhound family. Their unique coloration—a dark blue ticking against a white background—creates the illusion of a navy blue coat when viewed from a distance.

Blueticks are legendary for their “cold-nose” tracking ability, meaning they can follow scent trails that have gone cold for hours or even days. Their distinctive bawling voice echoes through the woods as they track, transitioning to a unique chopping bark when they’ve successfully treed their quarry.

While determined and focused hunters, Blueticks form strong bonds with their families. They tend to be more sensitive than some other coonhound varieties and respond best to positive training methods. Their playful nature and affectionate disposition make them loving companions, though their considerable exercise needs should not be overlooked.

Redbone Coonhound

With their gorgeous mahogany red coat and pleading expression, Redbone Coonhounds combine stunning good looks with exceptional hunting prowess. Developed in the Southern United States as an all-purpose hunting dog, Redbones gained wider recognition after being featured in Wilson Rawls’ beloved novel “Where the Red Fern Grows.”

These versatile hunters excel at tracking both on land and in water, making them valuable companions for hunters pursuing diverse game. Their streamlined build allows them to move with surprising speed through difficult terrain, while their determination ensures they rarely abandon a scent trail once detected.

At home, Redbones display an affectionate, even-tempered nature that makes them excellent family dogs when properly trained and exercised. Their innate desire to please their owners often makes them somewhat easier to train than some other independent-minded hound varieties.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Often considered the most popular of the coonhound breeds among active hunters, the Treeing Walker Coonhound combines speed, endurance, and an exceptionally keen nose. Their distinctive tricolor coat—white with black and tan markings—makes them easily visible even in dense woodland settings.

As their name suggests, Treeing Walkers excel at driving game up trees and holding them at bay until the hunter arrives. Their clear, melodious voice carries over long distances, allowing hunters to track their progress from afar. Originally developed from English Foxhounds, these athletic dogs move with grace and purpose whether working or playing.

Despite their intensity on the trail, Treeing Walkers are known for their gentle, sociable nature at home. They form strong bonds with their families and typically get along well with other dogs, though their strong prey drive may make them unsuitable for households with small pets.

Plott Hound

Unlike the other coonhound breeds, the Plott Hound traces its ancestry not to British dogs but to German boarhounds brought to America in the 1750s by Johannes Plott. This unique heritage gives the Plott distinct characteristics that set it apart from other coonhounds, including a somewhat different body structure and hunting style.

With their brindle coat pattern ranging from dark to light streaking, Plotts present a distinctively tiger-striped appearance. Originally bred to hunt formidable game like bear and wild boar, these fearless dogs possess remarkable courage and tenacity. While fully capable of treeing raccoons, their versatility allows them to pursue larger game as well.

Despite their intimidating hunting prowess, Plotts are typically loyal and affectionate with their families. Their intelligence and trainability make them adaptable companions, though their strong-willed nature requires consistent, positive training methods.

Shared Characteristics of Coonhound Breeds

While each coonhound breed maintains its distinctive traits, they share many common characteristics that define them as a group:

• Exceptional Scenting Ability: All coonhounds possess extraordinarily sensitive noses, capable of detecting and following scent trails that would be imperceptible to most other dogs.
• Distinctive Voice: Coonhounds are vocal dogs, with each breed having characteristic sounds ranging from deep bawls to high-pitched chops and bugle-like calls.
• Treeing Instinct: The ability to drive game up trees and hold it at bay is innate to these breeds, requiring little to no training to develop.
• Endurance: Built for all-night hunts in challenging terrain, coonhounds possess remarkable stamina and physical resilience.
• Pack Mentality: Traditionally working in groups, coonhounds generally get along well with other dogs and understand cooperative hunting strategies.
• Short, Weather-Resistant Coats: All varieties sport short, smooth coats that require minimal maintenance while providing protection from brush and briars.
• Floppy Ears: Their long, pendulous ears serve a functional purpose, helping to stir up and capture scent particles from the ground.

Coonhounds as Family Companions

Beyond their hunting prowess, coonhounds can make wonderful family pets for the right homes. Their friendly, easygoing nature translates well to family life, though prospective owners should understand their unique needs and characteristics:

When not actively hunting, coonhounds often transform into surprisingly laid-back house dogs who excel at lounging. They typically form strong bonds with their families and enjoy being included in household activities. Most varieties get along well with children and other dogs, making them suitable for multi-pet households (though their prey drive may make them challenging around cats or small animals).

However, these breeds were developed for working purposes and retain their hunting instincts and energy levels. Without adequate physical and mental stimulation, coonhounds can become bored and destructive. Their powerful voices—so valuable in the field—can become problematic in suburban settings without proper training and management.

For active families who understand and appreciate their nature, coonhounds offer unwavering loyalty, affection, and the unique joy of partnering with a dog whose senses and abilities far exceed our human limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are coonhounds good family pets?

A: Yes, coonhounds can make excellent family companions for active households. They’re typically friendly, good-natured dogs who bond strongly with their families. However, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

Q: Do coonhounds bark a lot?

A: Coonhounds are vocal dogs bred to bay and howl while hunting. Their distinctive voices carry over long distances, which can be problematic in suburban neighborhoods. While training can help manage excessive vocalization, prospective owners should understand that some vocalization is inherent to these breeds.

Q: How much exercise do coonhounds need?

A: As hunting dogs bred for stamina, coonhounds require significant daily exercise—typically at least 1-2 hours of vigorous activity. Long walks, hiking, and secured off-leash running in safe areas are ideal. Without adequate exercise, these energetic dogs may develop behavioral problems.

Q: Are coonhounds easy to train?

A: Coonhounds are intelligent but independent thinkers bred to make decisions while hunting. This can translate to a certain stubbornness in training contexts. They respond best to consistent, positive reinforcement methods and may not be ideal for first-time dog owners seeking a highly obedient companion.

Q: Do coonhounds get along with other pets?

A: Coonhounds generally get along well with other dogs, having been bred to work in packs. However, their strong prey drive may make them challenging around cats or small mammals. Early socialization and careful introduction can help, but their hunting instincts should always be respected.

Author

Anjali Sayee

 

Anjali is an Associate Editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience specializing in hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She has authored over 300 articles and offers expert advice on hair styling techniques, effective skin care routines, and tips for maintaining healthy hair and skin.

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