The Black & Tan Coonhound | At-A-Glance

The Black and Tan Coonhound was developed specifically for tracking down and treeing raccoon and opossum. These are both nocturnal animals indigenous to North America, whose names are derived from the Algonquian Indian language: Arakunem ("hand scratcher"), and Apasum ("white animal").

The small gray ring-tailed raccoon, with its dainty white paws and comical harlequin masks, seems harmless enough - but when poultry disappears from the hen house and eggs are siphoned hollow, it's time for a coonhunt! That's when the talent of a coonhound is needed.

Raccoons are found throughout the forested regions of the United States, in southern Canada, and in northern Mexico. They may seem lazy . . . they may look cute . . . and they do tend to sleep in trees all day. However, when its time for venturing forth at dusk in search of food, they creatures become a great challenge.

Racoons are thoroughly at home in the water and have been known to drown inexperienced dogs four times their size.

When a pursuer closes in, they seek refuge in trees, out of reach of the enemy. The dog to use against them must have special attributes:

-- He will track entirely by scent.
-- He will be powerful, capable of going the distance.
-- He will be brave.
-- Will be a willing and vigorous swimmer.
-- He will be able to withstand extreme cold without ill effect.
-- He will give voice while tracking.
-- And when the quarry is treed, he will continue to give voice until the hunter arrives.
-- From start to finish he will cooperate with this pack mates, backing up any dog that gets into trouble along the way.

The Black Tan Coonhound fits the bill!

Here's a great description:

"The modern Black and Tan Coonhound is a dog of medium-size with smooth, taut skin showing absolutely no wrinkles. His coat is short and close-lying. He is a very solid animal with a deep chest, strong legs and a rather heavy head.

The ears measure as much as 14 inches in length; when drawn forward they overlap across the nose. In repose, his demeanor is unruffled; in motion, his power, agility and stamina are evident."

At present, a Black and Tan born in the Midwest in winter may have a thick heavy coat, while one born on the West Coast will probably have a slick, very close coat.

The Black and Tan Coonhound is founded upon the early Virginia Foxhound (similar, too, of the present-day American Foxhound),with generous mixtures of Bloodhound stock.

The Foxhound may have begun his long tenure on these shores as early as 1541, for the Spanish explorer DeSoto had "hounds" with him when he discovered the Mississippi River in that year.

In 1650, Robert Brooke brought a pack of Foxhounds to Maryland. He became the first Master of Foxhounds in the colonies. Foxhunting found instant acceptance among the more affluent members of that society. In fact, owning a pack of hounds soon became a social must. Excellent Foxhounds were imported for hunting and for breeding.

Sometime around 1750, colonial Virginians undertook to tailor a specialized breed of dog for the sole purpose of trapping raccoon and in opossum hunting.

From the Virginia Foxhound the Black & Tan inherits these virtues:

pack instinct refined to teamwork
endurance
determination
spirit

And, the Bloodhound's influence can be seen in the Black & Tan's:

size and weight
gait
ears
voice
coat
color

Did you know . . . that Six coon hound varieties are recognized by the United Kennel Club:

Black and Tan
Redbone
English Coonhound
Bluetick
Treeing Walker
Plott

However, the Black and Tan Coonhound is the only variety with Bloodhound heritage, and the only coon hound recognized by the American Kennel Club.