Treeing Walker Coonhound
It runs a raccoon down and then changes its voice the moment the quarry goes up a tree, so the hunter knows. Faster than most coonhounds and just as loud.
Photo by Petful.com, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Treeing Walker descends from the Walker family's foxhounds in Kentucky, crossed with a stolen dog called Tennessee Lead in the nineteenth century, and it was developed to run raccoon down and tree them fast. It is the fastest of the coonhounds.
It is a hot nosed hound, meaning it works fresh trails at speed rather than following old cold ones, which is the opposite of a Bluetick.
Temperament
Friendly, energetic and thoroughly nose driven. Treeing Walkers are good natured with people and children and excellent with other dogs.
They are loud. The bay is designed to be heard across valleys and they use it enthusiastically. Recall on a scent is unreliable, they roam, and they are stubborn in the hound way. They do badly alone and want company.
Care and grooming
A short smooth coat, a weekly brush. The ears need weekly cleaning.
The working gene pool has kept the breed sound. Hip dysplasia occurs at low rates. Twelve to thirteen years.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day minimum with scent work, and they can do far more.
Secure fencing and a lead. They are a poor choice for close housing because of the voice and a superb one for a rural household that will hunt or trail with them.
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