History and origin: First used in Medieval England, the Black and Tan Coonhound was perfected in the southern United States. This breed is one of six types of Coonhound and was used as a tracker of opossum, raccoon, and bear. It is a working hound that is not usually seen in the show ring.
Description: Standing 23 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 70 and 90 pounds, this is a big, strong, agile scent hound. The shedding coat is short, dense, and requires regular brushing with a hound glove. Regular ear check is important with this breed.
About the breed: This is a very strong, hardy, active, driven breed that is primarily a” hunting dog and should not be considered for use as a family pet. The Black and Tan Coonhound is not as adaptable to the home as the Beagle or Basset. He is best owned by a hunter who can put his natural abilities to the best use. The Black and Tan is eager, alert, and possesses a superb sense of smell and will be easily distracted by any scent wafting through the neighborhood. Similar to the Bloodhound and to a lesser extent, the Basset, this breed can be provoked to aggression if required to obey when he does not want to or when he does not understand what he is expected to do. This is an explosive, non-thinking type of aggression that comes with very little warning. The instinct to track in this breed is usually stronger than his owner’s ability to control; the dog goes into a driven, trance-like state that is hard to break through. The Black and Tan Coonhound is normally suspicious of strangers and is not recommended for families with children because of his potential for aggression. Though bred to be a pack hunter, he can be very dog-aggressive. The Black and Tan Coonhound is also very vocal, making him best suited to life on a farm or in the country. He is susceptible to hip dysplasia and ear infections and must have his ears cleaned regularly. His owner must handle the dog liberally from day one or risk being bitten.
Feeding: Recommended feeding for this breed is 1 ½ – 2 ½ cans (13.3oz) of branded meaty product with biscuit added in equal part or 5 cupfuls of a complete dry food.
Ideal Home: A house with a fenced yard or a kennel is essential. This breed does not make a good family pet because he does not understand and will not tolerate children. He does much better if owned and used by a hunter on a regular basis. He is a working hound that needs regular exercise as well as supervision and firm no-nonsense leadership. Obedience training and socialization from day one are necessary.