Black and Tan Coonhound
It trails raccoon at night on its own and bays when the quarry goes up a tree. A cold nose, which means it can follow a trail hours old.
Photo by Shames Privacy, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Black and Tan Coonhound was bred in the American south to trail raccoon at night, alone, over difficult ground, and to bay at the base of a tree until the hunter arrived. Bloodhound and Foxhound went into it, and the nose came from the Bloodhound side.
Everything about the dog follows from working in the dark without supervision: the deep bay that carries, the long ears, and a complete willingness to work out of sight for hours.
Temperament
Easy going, friendly and thoroughly nose led. Coonhounds are gentle with people and children, tolerant of other dogs, and not remotely protective.
The difficulties are recall and noise. A hound on a scent does not hear you, and the bay is loud, deep and designed to carry for a mile. Neighbours in close housing will hear it. They are also stubborn in the specific hound way of understanding perfectly and declining.
Care and grooming
A short dense coat, a weekly brush, and moderate shedding.
The long drop ears need weekly cleaning and drying, because they trap moisture. Hip dysplasia occurs, and this is a deep chested breed, so bloat is a real risk worth knowing the signs of.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day, and scent work if possible, because using the nose satisfies this dog in a way that distance does not.
A secure fence and a lead in open country. They are not off lead dogs. They do best with company, human or canine, and a lonely coonhound bays.
Something here wrong or out of date?