Treeing Walker Coonhound
Find Treeing Walker Coonhound Breeders Near You
Connect with certified breeders who have Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies available.
Find Treeing Walker Coonhound BreedersGet to Know Treeing Walker Coonhounds
- Bred to Chase and “Tree” Raccoons: Tree Walker Coonhounds were developed specifically for hunting raccoons and other small game. Their name comes from their ability to track a scent trail and then “tree” the animal—meaning the prey is forced up a tree, where the dog can alert the hunter.
- A Powerful Nose With Incredible Tracking Ability: This breed has a highly developed sense of smell and can follow faint trails for long distances. Their tracking instincts make them excellent scent hounds and valuable working dogs in hunting circles.
- Signature “Baying” Voice: Tree Walker Coonhounds are known for their loud, musical baying when on a trail. This vocal style helps hunters follow the dog’s progress and locate the prey during a hunt.
- Built for Long-Distance Endurance: Unlike many hunting breeds, Tree Walkers can work for hours without tiring. Their lean, athletic bodies and strong lungs make them ideal for rugged terrain and long hunts.
- Surprisingly Social for a Hunting Breed: While bred for hunting, Tree Walkers are typically friendly and affectionate with their families. They enjoy being part of a pack and often get along well with other dogs.
Breed History
The Tree Walker Coonhound was developed in the United States by crossing several hound breeds, including the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound, and various Black and Tan breeds. The goal was to create a dog with a powerful nose, strong endurance, and the ability to work independently while tracking game. The breed became popular in the American South and Midwest, where raccoon hunting was a common sport and livelihood. Today, Tree Walkers are still used for hunting but are also valued as active, loyal family dogs by people who can meet their high exercise needs.
Personality and Behaviour
- High Energy & Drive: Tree Walkers have strong hunting instincts and need plenty of activity to stay balanced. Without sufficient exercise, they can become restless or destructive.
- Friendly & Pack-Oriented: They generally enjoy being around people and other dogs. They thrive in homes where they’re included in family life and given social interaction.
- Independent Thinkers: This breed is used to working on its own in the field and may sometimes seem stubborn or distracted. Training requires patience and consistency.
Care
- Exercise: They require daily vigorous exercise such as long walks, running, hiking, or scent work to satisfy their high energy and tracking instincts.
- Training: Use firm, consistent, reward-based training; early obedience and recall work is crucial due to their strong prey drive.
- Grooming: Their short coat is easy to maintain, needing only occasional brushing to remove loose hair.
Treeing Walker Coonhound Summary
Weight
Lifespan
Exercise
Trainability
Temperament
GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Treeing Walker Coonhound Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Evaluation - minimum age 24 months PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. |
| Elbow Dysplasia | (Optional) OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation |
How Much Does It Cost to Own a Treeing Walker Coonhound Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning a Treeing Walker 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Treeing Walker 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 Treeing Walker 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 Treeing Walker 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.
