Black and Tan Coonhound

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-12 years
Black and Tan Coonhounds are generally a very sturdy breed and are not prone to most typical canine health issues.

On rare occasions, they have been known to suffer from hip dysplasia, a genetic condition in which the thighbone does not fit properly into the hip joint, resulting in limping and discomfort. Hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland produces low levels of hormones, may also occur in some Black and Tan Coonhounds. Hypothyroidism can cause health problems including infertility, obesity, and low energy. Daily medication is required.

Ectropion, which causes the lower eyelid to droop, occasionally affects Black and Tan Coonhounds and may increase the likelihood of corneal disease.
On very rare occasions, Hemophilia B has been reported among Black and Tan Coonhounds. Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder that severely impacts the blood clotting process, resulting in severe, uncontrolled bleeding upon injury.

Their floppy ears make Black and Tan Coonhounds prone to ear infections, but checking ears regularly and cleaning them as needed should prevent serious problems.

The majority of Black and Tan Coonhounds will not experience any of these ailments, and their average lifespan is 10-12 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a mellow, happy-go-lucky scenthound who is very people-oriented and enjoys family time. He is primarily a working dog with a fierce hunting instinct, but he is also playful, outgoing, and gentle. Independent, stubborn, and at times slow to mature, the Black and Tan Coonhound needs firm, patient leadership. Otherwise, he is likely to become willful and potentially disobedient.

Adaptable to most situations, Black and Tan Coonhounds can live outdoors or indoors. Indoors, they are mellow and calm. They do drool and slobber, and they are likely to climb on your furniture. Do not leave food out around a Black and Tan Coonhound; they will immediately devour it. They may be aloof with strangers, but they are typically not aggressive towards people or other dogs. They can be trained to live peacefully with smaller pets, including cats, if they are raised together. However, they may chase or “hunt” smaller animals. They are calm and tolerant with kids but may be overly playful for toddlers.

Outdoors, the Black and Tan Coonhound’s hunting instinct dominates. They are extremely persistent trackers and refuse to give up on a trail. For this reason, a fence is a must if your Black and Tan Coonhound lives outside; otherwise, he may pick up on a scent and run off. Whether he lives indoors or outdoors, exercise is essential for the Black and Tan Coonhound. Without adequate exercise, he is likely to become too rough or high-strung. Long walks are a favorite activity of Black and Tan Coonhounds, giving them the opportunity to pick up on a variety of interesting smells. Be prepared for the possibility of neighborly complaints; Black and Tan Coonhounds are likely to bay and howl, particularly if left alone.

Training sessions with a Black and Tan Coonhound should be short, fun, and full of positive reinforcement. Food rewards are a sure way to get his attention. Be patient. If you are too heavy-handed with a Black and Tan Coonhound, he tends to lose interest or become discouraged. Vary the type and order of exercises to prevent boredom. If bored, this breed may add their own “creative” touches to commands and exercises. It is essential to train properly the very first time and to always correct wrong behaviors. Black and Tan Coonhounds learn very quickly and then never forget, whether they learn correctly or incorrectly. You should begin training your Black and Tan Coonhound right away, and socialization should also begin immediately.

Grooming

The Black and Tan Coonhound has a short, easy to groom coat. He does tend to shed a lot, and brushing one to three times weekly with a hound mitt or curry brush is recommended. Hounds are known to have a “houndy” odor, and you should bathe him as needed. Rinse thoroughly to prevent skin from becoming dry and flaky.

Check ears frequently to prevent infection. If the ears get wet, be sure to dry them thoroughly. Hounds do drool and slobber often, so you may need to wipe his face regularly. Brush teeth at least once per week. Trim nails every few weeks to prevent overgrowth and cracking.

Overall, this breed is fairly low maintence and requires standard grooming and care.

Diet

Black and Tan Coonhounds have voracious appetites, so use a quality dog food with meat as the first ingredient. They do tend to overeat and to gain weight quickly, so make sure you don’t overfeed your hound. Do not leave food out at all times, but instead divide food into at least two smaller meals daily. The best type and amount of food will vary depending on factors such as weight and activity level. Rice blended with beef is typically a good choice for this breed.

Ensure that clean, fresh drinking water is always available.
 

Find A Black and Tan Coonhound Breeder

Black and Tan Coonhound Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Black and Tan Coonhound

Cost

Most Black and Tan Coonhounds range from $300-750 in cost, although they can be as inexpensive as $200 or as pricey as $1000. The price of your dog depends on factors like the breeder’s location and the puppy’s parentage.

Adopting a Black and Tan Coonhound is another option. Adoption fees will usually cost between $100 and $200.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Black and Tan Coonhound ranks a 3. He is adaptable to most environments and able to coexist with children and other dogs, although he may be aggressive towards smaller animals. He requires minimal maintenance, but he does shed consistently. He can be stubborn and willful, and he may howl loudly if left alone, climb on furniture, and be somewhat difficult to train. His owner must be willing to provide frequent opportunity for exercise.

 

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