Large, athletic hunters who work nights, Black and Tan Coonhounds are friendly, easygoing hounds who love company. They are snoozy by the fireside but tenacious when on the trail of the wily raccoon — this hound is a real American original.
First and fundamentally a working dog, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a trail and tree hound capable of withstanding the rigors of winter, the heat of summer, and the difficult terrain over which it is called upon to work. Used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon, it runs its game entirely by scent — and its courage makes it proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, and mountain lion as well.
From the Talbot Hound to Tennessee
The Black and Tan Coonhound descends from the Talbot Hound, found in medieval England after the eleventh century, with its ancestry traced through the Bloodhound and Foxhound to the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. Developed in the southern United States, the breed's immediate ancestry comes from the American Foxhound and the colonial-era Virginia Foxhound, with some Bloodhound stock probably thrown in — the Bloodhound's influence is seen in the black and tan's size, coloring, ample skin, long ears, and trailing ability.
The breed is known best for its prowess as a raccoon hunter but is also adept at hunting bear, deer, opossum, and mountain lion, running its quarry and howling when it treed. In 1900, the American Black and Tan was the first coonhound breed admitted to the UKC registry, registered then as the American Black and Tan Fox and Coonhound. In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the first of the six coonhound breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, in the Hound Group.
Powerful, Agile, and Alert
The Black and Tan Coonhound gives the general impression of power, agility, and alertness — the ability to cover ground with powerful, rhythmic strides. Males stand 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder; females 23 to 25 inches, with males weighing 50 to 75 pounds and females 40 to 65 pounds.
The coat is short, dense, and glossy, colored coal black with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, and on the chest and legs. The eyes are hazel or dark brown; the ears are long, wide, and thin, set low and far back and hanging well down the neck. The tail is set slightly below the natural line of the back and carried at a right angle when the dog is alert or excited.
Outgoing, Easygoing, and Tenacious
The Black and Tan Coonhound has an even temperament — outgoing and friendly. As a working scent hound, it must be able to work in close contact with other hounds. Mellow, amiable, calm, and unobtrusive indoors, outdoors its strong hunting instinct takes over.
The breed is gentle and tolerant with children, though it may be too independent to satisfy a playful child. It is reserved with strangers, in whose presence it may bay and howl. Each hound has its own distinctive voice, often recognizable to its owners from a great distance. Some individuals may be prone to anxiety or fearfulness if not properly socialized.
Exercise and Activity
The Black and Tan Coonhound requires daily exercise — it is active and was bred to cover lots of ground with ease. It can run for miles, though it is usually content with a moderate jog or long walk, with an occasional excursion into the field.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Because the breed's instinctive independence makes it prone to take off after an interesting scent, keeping the dog on a leash outside is imperative unless it is in a hunting situation, and a safe, fenced area is mandatory. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a scent-driven hound.
Training a Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is responsive, intelligent, loyal, and passionate about its work, but bred to work somewhat independently, it may seem a bit headstrong. Training may be more challenging than with other breeds, requiring lots of patience and praise to guide its energy and instincts.
Its strong scenting instinct can make recall training challenging, especially where many stimuli compete for attention. Positive, consistent training from puppyhood — beginning with socialization as soon as you bring your puppy home — helps these dogs become friendly, loyal, and gentle around all people, including children. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound has a short, dense coat that is relatively easy to maintain. They shed moderately year-round, with seasonal increases in shedding during spring and fall — overall, they are low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, with weekly brushing and occasional baths.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 1–2 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming, ear cleaning (important given their long, hanging ears), and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated hound.
Feeding a Black and Tan Coonhound
As an active, large dog, the Black and Tan Coonhound benefits from food made with high-quality, easily digestible ingredients, formulated to meet AAFCO standards, with moderate to high protein content to support muscle development. Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health and mobility.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Feed measured portions appropriate for age, weight, and activity level, and monitor body condition. Your veterinarian can guide you on portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
The average Black and Tan Coonhound lifespan is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is generally healthy, with litter sizes typically around eight puppies. There is some risk of hip dysplasia, ear infections (and in some cases ear cancer), and eye problems.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
Regular vet checkups, ear care, and maintaining a healthy weight help keep the breed healthy. The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a loyal, adaptable dog that thrives in an active household with plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventures. These social dogs enjoy companionship — a home with plenty of human interaction, and possibly another dog, is ideal. An ideal home provides plenty of space to run and explore, such as a large, fenced yard for scent-based games.
Because of their strong nose and prey drive, they may not be the best fit for families with smaller animals, which they may see as something to chase. They are not suitable for apartment living, as they may become bored or restless without sufficient exercise. If you're weighing whether a Black and Tan Coonhound fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Black and Tan Coonhound means embracing a howler. The breed's distinctive baying reflects its hunting heritage, and it will wander off after interesting scents — leash walking and secure fencing are non-negotiable. Training is challenging given its independence and strong instincts, and the breed needs vigorous daily exercise. Its prey drive makes it risky around small pets.
Yet for the right owner, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a delightful companion — a mellow, friendly, gentle hound by the fireside and a tenacious, courageous tracker on the trail. From the forests of the American South, where it has treed raccoons for generations, to modern homes, this real American original remains a loyal and endearing friend.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Mellow, friendly, and easygoing indoors
- Gentle and tolerant with children
- Exceptional scent-tracking ability
- Loyal and adaptable companion
- Low-maintenance short coat
- Courageous and determined worker
Disadvantages
- Distinctive baying/howling voice
- Strong prey drive; wanders after scents
- Independent and headstrong in training
- Needs vigorous daily exercise
- Not suited to apartment living
- Reserved around strangers
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Black and Tan Coonhounds get? Males stand 25–27 inches; females 23–25 inches, with males 50–75 lb and females 40–65 lb.
How long do Black and Tan Coonhounds live? Typically 10 to 12 years.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good family dogs? Yes — they're gentle, tolerant with children, and loyal.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds easy to train? They're intelligent but independent — patient, consistent training is required.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good with cats? Not ideal — their prey drive may lead them to chase smaller animals.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good guard dogs? They're more likely to bay at strangers than guard.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good apartment dogs? No — they need space and vigorous daily exercise.
Do Black and Tan Coonhounds bark a lot? They're known for their loud, baying howl, especially when trailing.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds rare? They're uncommon outside the southern United States.
When was the Black and Tan Coonhound recognized by the AKC? 1945, the first coonhound breed recognized.
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds related to Bloodhounds? Yes — they descend from Bloodhound and Virginia Foxhound crosses.
What health problems do Black and Tan Coonhounds have? They can be prone to hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye problems.