Black and Tan Coonhound
Find Black and Tan Coonhound Breeders Near You
Connect with certified breeders who have Black and Tan Coonhound puppies available.
Find Black and Tan Coonhound BreedersGet to Know Black and Tan Coonhounds
- First Coonhound: The Black and Tan Coonhound was the first of six coonhound breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.
- Cold Nose Tracker: These dogs can follow a 'cold trail'—a scent that is hours or even days old—thanks to their Bloodhound ancestry.
- Tree Specialists: True to their name, they are trained to track and tree raccoons, baying loudly when the quarry is cornered up a tree.
- American Heritage: The breed's development is closely tied to the history of American frontier life and hunting culture in the Southeastern United States.
Breed History
The Black and Tan Coonhound is one of America's oldest coonhound breeds, descended from the Bloodhound and the now-extinct Talbot Hound crossed with Virginia Foxhounds. Developed in the Appalachian, Blue Ridge, and Ozark mountain regions, this breed was specifically bred to trail raccoons by scent and tree them—barking to alert hunters to their location. Their exceptional tracking ability led to AKC recognition in 1945, making them the first coonhound breed to receive this distinction.
Personality and Behaviour
- Easygoing Indoors: Despite their size and energy outdoors, Black and Tan Coonhounds are surprisingly mellow and relaxed inside the home, often described as gentle giants.
- Nose-Driven: Their world revolves around scent. On walks, they will follow their nose relentlessly, which can make recall training challenging.
- Friendly with Everyone: They tend to be sociable with people and other dogs. Their gentle disposition makes them poor guard dogs but excellent companions.
- Independent Thinker: Bred to work at a distance from their handler, they can be independent and stubborn. Patient, consistent training with high-value rewards works best.
Care
- Exercise: At least 60 minutes of vigorous daily exercise is essential. They thrive with long walks, jogs, and especially opportunities to use their nose in tracking or scent games.
- Grooming: Their short, dense coat is easy to maintain—weekly brushing removes loose hair. Their long, floppy ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections. Wipe drool as needed.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality food for large, active breeds. They can be food-motivated (helpful for training) but prone to weight gain if overfed. Use measured meals rather than free-feeding.
- Health: Watch for hip dysplasia, ear infections, bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), and ectropion (drooping eyelids). Regular vet visits and maintaining a healthy weight are important.
Black and Tan Coonhound Summary
Weight
Lifespan
Exercise
Trainability
Temperament
GroomingHow Much Does It Cost to Own a Black and Tan Coonhound Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Black and Tan Coonhound is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Black and Tan Coonhound
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Black and Tan Coonhound puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Black and Tan Coonhound, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether a Black and Tan Coonhound is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
