Black and Tan Coonhound

55-75 lbs
23-25"
United States
American Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a loyal and good-natured hunter and companion dog, who likes nothing more than to please his owner. The breed is an intelligent, alert dog, who is eager to please and passionate about his work. Gentle and friendly with people, the Black and Tan Coonhound shows a willingness to listen to his master. If taught while young to respect children and that they are above him in the pecking order, they can be very gentle and protective of young children. They do need an owner that is the dominant pack leader, and require a firm but patient leadership and training to prevent any willfulness. If the Black and Tan Coonhound has not been taught respect or lacks in exercise, they can become anxious when separated from the owners, and become destructive and howl if left alone. They will follow their noses if left unattended off a leash. With other dogs, they may become aggressive if the humans are not showing dominance. They may need to be corrected for unacceptable behavior at the appropriate time. These dogs can become easy going, loyal, protective dogs and are great with an active family. This breed was first recognised by the AKC in 1945.

purpose Purpose
hunting raccoons and other game
history Date of Origin
1700s
ancestry Ancestry
talbot hound, bloodhound, black and tan foxhound

Black and Tan Coonhound Health

Sketch of Black and Tan Coonhound
Average Size
Male Black and Tan Coonhound size stats
Height: 25-27 inches Weight: 55-75 lbs
Female Black and Tan Coonhound size stats
Height: 23-25 inches Weight: 55-75 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Congenital Heart Defect
Minor Concerns
  • Ectropion
  • Hemophilia
  • Obesity
Occasional Tests
  • Eye
  • Hip
  • Heart
  • Physical Examination

Black and Tan Coonhound Breed History

The Black and Tan Coonhound has decidedly American roots. Thought to be developed in the Ozarks, Smoky, Appalachian and Blue Ridge mountain ranges, the breed is also thought to have history in the Southern States, and can trace its ancestry back to the American Foxhound and the Virginia Foxhound, mixed with a little bloodhound. Back in the 1700’s, the ancestors of this talented canine were companions of Indian Scouts and served their purpose well as trackers, as they were highly skilled with their nose. Later, most likely in the South, The Black and Tan was known for its prowess as a raccoon hunter (or coon as the locals named it), which is possibly where the dog got its name Coonhound. They are excellent trackers, especially at night, and will trail their quarry for miles before cornering it (usually up a tree if it is a raccoon). Then the dog will howl to let the owner know where it is. As the breed’s name implies, they are black in color with tan markings. They were officially recognized by the American Kennel club in 1945.

Black and Tan Coonhound Breed Appearance

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large, dedicated hunting hound. They have an amazingly sensitive nose, long velvety ears and a friendly gentle disposition. The coat is coal black with a slightly oily feel, and has rich tan accents including the distinctive dashes above the eyes. The eyes are very expressive and eager, and are hazel to dark brown in color. Their short dense coat helps cope with the extremes in weather conditions, and is loose in fit. The Coonhound has a strong sleek body that is slightly longer than their height at the withers, while their head is well proportioned to the body. The long head has an oval outline, with a long muzzle. The teeth should meet in a scissor type bite. They have long straight legs, and a strong tail that is carried freely. The Black and Tan Coonhound runs with an effortless eager stride and will stay on a trail until conclusion.

Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Black and Tan Coonhound eyes
Hazel
brown Black and Tan Coonhound eyes
Brown
amber Black and Tan Coonhound eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Black and Tan Coonhound nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
black Black and Tan Coonhound coat
Black
brown Black and Tan Coonhound coat
Brown
fawn Black and Tan Coonhound coat
Fawn
brindle Black and Tan Coonhound coat
Brindle
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Black and Tan Coonhound straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Black and Tan Coonhound Breed Maintenance

With their short, dense coat, the Coonhound only needs occasional brushing to keep its coat in good order. Because they have long silky floppy ears, a regular ear check is necessary, and cleaning is essential. Your veterinarian can show you the correct way to clean your dog’s ears. Because most Coonhounds drool, you may need to regularly wipe your dog’s face, especially inside the home, unless you want to be covered by drool! Although they do like to laze about at times, they tend to put on weight, and they need exercising just to keep them fit and healthy, as well as burn off some energy so that they are easy to manage. With a Coonhound, it pays to keep them on a leash when out walking, because if they catch a scent their instincts will take over and you will see them disappearing over the horizon, paying no heed to your calls.

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Brushes for Black and Tan Coonhound
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Black and Tan Coonhound requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Black and Tan Coonhound Temperament

This breed is a friendly, outgoing dog who is usually described as happy-go-lucky. He is a great family pet and is good with children, although he can be a bit too rambunctious for younger children. If raised with other pets, such as cats, he can get on very well with them. Black and Tan Coonhounds are a typical hound and love nothing more than to follow a good scent, so a securely fenced yard is essential to keep him from wandering. It is advisable to keep him on a leash when going for a walk for the same reason – one whiff of a scent and he could be gone following the trail. They love long walks with loads of time to sniff everything. They tend to love their food and will eat their share, as well as your share if they can get their nose on it. Patience when training is needed and positive reinforcement will help, especially food rewards. These dogs can be creative with their interpretation of your commands (hence patience is needed) but are a loyal, obedient dog.

Black and Tan Coonhound Activity Requirements


Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Black and Tan Coonhound Popularity

Popularity ranking
#128
Popular Hybrids

Black and Tan Coonhound Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.75 - $2.25
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$52.50 - $67.50
food bag monthly cost

Black and Tan Coonhound Height & Weight

6 Months
Sketch of Black and Tan Coonhound at six months
Male Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at six months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
Female Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at six months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
12 Months
Sketch of Black and Tan Coonhound at 12 months
Male Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 52.5 lbs
Female Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.0 inches Weight: 52.5 lbs
18 Months
Sketch of Black and Tan Coonhound at 18 months
Male Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at 18 months
Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs
Female Black and Tan Coonhound size stats at 18 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs

Top Black and Tan Coonhound Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Black and Tan Coonhound breeders of 2024.
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Hagoods Black and Tans
Hagoods Black and Tans
Little Rock, Arkansas
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Midnight Thunder Black and Tans
Midnight Thunder Black and Tans
Saint Pauls, North Carolina
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Buffalo Hollow Kennels
Buffalo Hollow Kennels
Floyd, Virginia
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Skinner's Flint River Coondogs
Skinner's Flint River Coondogs
Roberta, Georgia
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Blackburn's Black and Tan Coonhounds
Blackburn's Black and Tan Coonhounds
Blanco, Texas
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder J & M Black and Tan Coonhounds
J & M Black and Tan Coonhounds
Johnson City, Texas
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder Jazzman Black and Tans
Jazzman Black and Tans
Palmdale, California
Top Black and Tan Coonhound breeder American Black and Tan Coonhound Club
American Black and Tan Coonhound Club
Gurley, Alabama

Black and Tan Coonhound Owner Experiences

Smokey
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
He likes running, boating, and persuing what moves
He likes walking, chasing s
We enjoy hunting small prey (squirrels), barking at deer and especially large woodpeckers and chasing cars.
2 years, 10 months ago
9 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Chase
Tug-of-war
Go to Park
Walk
Laying in the sun
I have been walking a pair of coonhounds regularly over the course of this year. They are a bonded pair, male and female both aged 9. When I first walk into the house, sometimes they howl but more often than not they just get excited and try to give kisses. One of them has a stuffed toy that she likes to show me every time. Once we start walking, they are slow but they are also strong dogs, even when they're nearly 10. They will pull in the direction they want to go, sometimes in opposite directions at the same time. Since they're hounds, they have a great sense of smell and like to spend some time sniffing certain things. They also like to eat goose poop at the nearby park, so you have to keep an eye on them all the time. They aren't quick to howl, but if they start up it takes a while for them to calm down again. They both like to chase squirrels and since they're pretty strong you have to hold on tight! Most days, neither of them will poop but they both pee right after leaving the house. They won't mark a lot, they'd rather spend their time sniffing things. One of them gets pretty slobbery during the walk and I have to clean his face up at home. While they're walking, they aren't very fast and usually are a couple steps behind me but their walking is fairly consistent. Since we walk sometimes in the residential area instead of the park nearby, and something they like to do is stand and watch people as they pass by. They won't move until the person has left the area, then they'll keep walking. They're not aggressive at all and have been greeted and petted by all ages of people. One time we accidentally stalled a whole game of bocce ball because all the old people wanted to go over and pet them. They are so friendly and affectionate. When we get back to their home, I make sure they have plenty of water because they can drink a whole bowl. They're a very sweet breed, gentle giants. They won't give too many kisses which is probably for the best, considering how slobbery they are. They don't whine as I'm leaving, they are ready for a little nap and go to their beds, or they find their toy to chew on.
6 years, 10 months ago
Dexter
4 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dex is already a sleek 50lbs and 21" tall (at the shoulder) at just four months. Wondering how common this is and just how big he's going to get! Hoping we don't have a big red Clifford on our hands :)
5 years, 10 months ago
Joy
12 Years
2 People
Condo
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Joy is amazing fun, with a sharp mind. Her antics keep us laughing and her affection is pure. I got her as an adopted dog with lots of issues, and now i'm thinking i'd like to keep a B&T in my household for the rest of my life. Will this be the first pure-bred dog i buy? Probably.
5 years, 5 months ago
LazyBone
8 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I play Basket ball as he watches
Throwing a ball or chew toy and trying to get it
Playing, Brushing, and Being Lazy
Talking to him
I've enjoyed, am enjoying, and will be enjoying my experience with LazyBone. He is also part pit bull(we think is what his dad was).
4 years, 2 months ago
Roscoe
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Tug-of-war
Cuddles
Scent Training
Roscoe has been trainable despite typical hound stubbornness. It just requires patience to train a hound, and we knew that going in. It pays off, even now that he's in his "teen rebel without a clue" period. The cleverness that comes along with the naughtiness has made us laugh every single day. He's a sweetheart and has managed to befriend every dog in the neighborhood on our walks, as well as many of the humans. We can't even fathom what it was like before this lovely creature became a part of our family.
4 years, 2 months ago
Karma
6 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Love her never a dull moment
4 years, 2 months ago
Athena
7 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Car rides
Hiking
Sleeping
When I first got her we thought she was a Rottweiler lab mix. That quickly changed. As a puppy she was a little terrorist and chewed up anything she could get her teeth on. She did have to be trained for food aggressiveness but overall she is a very good natured dog. My sons can do pretty much anything to her and she lets them. She is very protective of the kids and my wife. The only thing I have never been able to get her trained on is not eating human food. If she can reach it she feels it's fair game. She more than once as a younger dog ate our entire dinner off the stove. We absolutely love her. When my wife lost our son she didn't leave my wife's side except to use the bathroom for over 6 months.
4 years, 2 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd