Breed library

Black and Tan Coonhound

Also known as Coonhound.

Black and Tan Coonhound photograph.
Black and Tan Coonhound.jpg - Steffen Heinz ( Caronna ). CC BY-SA 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_and_Tan_Coonhound.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5. License: CC BY-SA 2.5.

Breed overview

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of hunting dog. Developed in the United States from crosses between the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound, this scent hound runs its game entirely by scent and is used primarily for raccoon hunting.

  • Breed classification: CoonhoundBreed reference breed group.
  • Breed type: dog breed, Wikimedia duplicated pageBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: United StatesBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Black and Tan Coonhound is descended from the Talbot Hound, found in medieval England after the 11th century.
  • In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the first of the six breeds of coonhounds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, in the Hound Group.
  • The other breeds, which were not recognized until the 2010s, are the Redbone Coonhound, Plott Hound, Bluetick Coonhound, the American English Coonhound, and the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Developed in the United States from crosses between the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound, this scent hound runs its game entirely by scent and is used primarily for raccoon hunting.
  • According to the FCI breed standard Black and Tan Coonhound males should be 25 - 27 in in height with females slightly smaller at 23 - 25 in although it does not specify a weight range.

Size and appearance

According to the FCI breed standard Black and Tan Coonhound males should be 25 - 27 in in height with females slightly smaller at 23 - 25 in although it does not specify a weight range. The United Kennel Club does however include guideline weights of males 50 - 75 lb with females ranging from 40 - 65 lb. The height proportions quoted by the UKC differ from the FCI and allow males to be 23 - 27 in and females 21 - 26 in. The coat is short, dense and glossy. The eyes are hazel to brown, the ears are long, wide, and thin, are set low and far back on the dog's head, and hang well down the neck. The black and tan markings are similar to the Doberman's and the Rottweiler's. The Black and Tan Coonhound's bark is loud and baying; it has been described as a deep howl. The breed standard includes muscular legs that are long in proportion to body length. The tail is set slightly below the natural line of the back. If the dog is alert or excited it carries its tail at a right angle.

  • Body mass reference: 18.144 - 29.484 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 40 - 65 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 22.68 - 34.019 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 50 - 75 lb. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 53.34 - 60.96 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 21 - 24 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 63.5 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 58 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 53.34 - 68.58 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 21 - 27 in. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: Up to 68.5 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 63.5 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat length: short
  • Height category: medium
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: medium
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

The Black and Tan Coonhound makes a suitable pet: it is mellow, amiable, calm, and unobtrusive indoors; outdoors, its strong hunting instinct takes over and it can be difficult to turn it from tracking after it starts trailing. As befitting a dog with its heritage, it is strong, independent, and stubborn. The Black and Tan Coonhound is gentle and tolerant with children, but it may be too independent to satisfy a playful child. It is reserved with strangers and in their presence may bay and howl. The Black and Tan Coonhound can run for miles although it is usually content with a moderate jog or long walk, with an occasional excursion into the field. It can wander if it catches a scent, so a safe area is mandatory.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.89 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.34 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.92 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.97 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.71 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.15 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.75 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.95 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.16 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.73 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.55 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.67 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.94 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.28 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Black and Tan Coonhound.

Exercise and activities

The courage of the Coonhound also makes it proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, wolf, cougar and other big game although many US states have restricted the hunting of antlered animals with dogs. However, the primary purpose of the Black and Tan Coonhound is as a raccoon hunting dog. The general impression is that of power, agility and alertness, as well as the ability to cover ground swiftly with powerful rhythmic strides. Each hound has its own distinctive voice which is often recognizable to its owners from a great distance.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Its coat needs only occasional brushing. Most Coonhounds drool to some extent, and the face may need regular wiping. The ears should also be checked regularly to ensure against ear infections.

  • Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Black and Tan Coonhound is descended from the Talbot Hound, found in medieval England after the 11th century. Its ancestry is then traced through the Bloodhound and the Foxhound to the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the first of the six breeds of coonhounds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, in the Hound Group. The other breeds, which were not recognized until the 2010s, are the Redbone Coonhound, Plott Hound, Bluetick Coonhound, the American English Coonhound, and the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Black and Tan Coonhound - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Black and Tan Coonhound, revision 1312023787. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_and_Tan_Coonhound&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Black and Tan Coonhound.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 2.5. Black and Tan Coonhound.jpg - Steffen Heinz ( Caronna ). CC BY-SA 2.5. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_and_Tan_Coonhound.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.