American English Coonhound
As the descendent of the English Foxhounds, American English Coonhounds are well-known hunting dog breed with great endurance and speed. They have soft droopy ears, long low set and squared-off muzzles. As social dogs, they possess intelligence and kindness.
| Other Names | American Coonhound, American English Coonhound, Redtick Coonhound |
| Color | Red& White Ticked, Blue& White Ticked, Tricolor& Ticking, Red&White, Black&White |
| Height | Males: 22-27 inches. Females: 20-25 inches. |
| Weight | Males: 50-70 pounds. Females: 50-70 pounds. |
| Life Span | 11-12 years |
| Personality | Sweet, Mellow, Sociable |
| Exercise | Needs a lot of exercise |
| Origin |
| Popularity | #175 |
| Groom Needs | Occasional Bath/Brush |
| Kids Friendly | Yes with supervision |
| Dog Friendly | Yes |
| Watch Dog | Yes |
| Family Dog | |
| Litter Size | 4-8 |
American English Coonhound Video
Introduction
Like most coonhounds, if not all, the American English Coonhound is generally sociable and friendly, although it has been described as being stubborn on different occasions. They require early training as puppies, especially in getting them acquainted with other little pets around the house. This is important because, while American English Coonhounds can make great family pets themselves, they have a keen sense for quarry and hunting other animals. They are friendly with children and exhibit a high sense of loyalty to their family. American English Coonhounds also require ample exercise time. They come in a short, medium coat which, unlike most other coonhounds, is accepted in different color varieties ranging from bluetick and redtick to tricolor varieties with tickings. Redticks are the most common.
A male dog of this breed should be 24-26 inches tall, measured at the shoulder, while a female stands around 23-25 inches, being quite smaller than the male. Full-grown American English Coonhounds normally weigh about 40-65 pounds. They are typical members of the Hound Group. Their lifespan is 10-12 years.
Living with American English Coonhound
American English Coonhounds have short, hard and protective coat, so they don’t require professional grooming. Regular brushing is sufficient to make them look at their best. Using a shedding tool or a grooming mitt with rubber nubs once or twice a week will make it easier to finish their shedding. This also helps distribute skin oils down the hair shaft, and give their coat a natural shine. Regularly cleaning their ears can prevent irritation and infections effectively.
Bathing should be done every four to six weeks, and nails trimming at least once a month. Besides, the breeders should make sure of weekly cleaning excess wax or debris and checking their ears, which is beneficial to reduce doggy odor and keep the coat and skin clean and healthy.
American English Coonhound is energetic generally, and he possesses innate desire to be part of a pack, so he is an excellent companion for those people who like running, hiking or biking. To keep energetic and maintain healthy, the breed needs a lot of exercise. With strong prey drive, American English Coonhound cannot resist the instinct to follow an interesting scent he finds. So you’d better have it leashed if the situation is out of control. Chasing a ball can be done in your backyard. Running or roaming should be done in a large, secured, fenced area where he can exercise freely.
Like other dogs, the American English Coonhound should be given high-quality dog food that is prepared at home or manufactured by commerce. And their diet should be different with the change of the age, including puppy, adult, or senior period with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. With the growing of the dogs, they get easier to become overweight, so you should mind your dog’s weight level and calorie consumption. Giving too much food can cause obesity and lead to some related disease.
As working dogs, American English Coonhounds need a different diet to live a sedentary life. A responsible breeder should know which food is good for the dog’s health and which are not. Fresh and clean water should be provided all the time. If there are any questions with your dog, check your vet as soon as possible.
American English Coonhound is a healthy breed in general and suffers from fewer of diseases at generally lower rates. But they may have hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disorders, ear infections, cataracts, bloat/gastric torsion and progressive retinal atrophy. Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint which prevents the leg bone from properly connecting to the hip, which may lead to pain, discomfort, arthritis, difficulty moving, and in severe cases even lameness.
The breeders should learn about some symptoms of these diseases and know how to deal with the situation when the diseases occur. Like any other floppy-eared dog breed, the American English Coonhound should have its ears checked frequently to ensure minimal wax and debris buildup. To prevent some diseases that affect the breed’s health or even threaten tis life, regular test should be considered.
Total Annual Cost: $3177.9
Cost is estimated for the first year and may vary depending on many factors, such as dog food, health care, leash, collar, licensing, possible fencing, crates, training and obedience classes, dog-walking, grooming, treats, toys, flea, tick, and heart-worm meds, microchips, etc.
American English Coonhound is intelligent, loving and easy to train. He has a split personality, which means tireless, stubborn and tenacious on the trail; but sweet and amiable as good companions at home. Proper socialization training at his young age in necessary, which may help prevent your puppy from becoming possessive over food or toys.
If you want your dog keep well-adjusted and mentally healthy, you should interact positively with them or take him to meet different people and places. With limitless energy and prey drive, the breeders need more patience when train the dog. They are more appropriate for some experienced dog breeders because they usually bark in a loud, ringing voice.
History
Almost all Coonhounds, except the Plott Hound, had descended from English Foxhounds which were imported into America in the 17th and 18th centuries. The English Foxhounds first met with a difficult task to adapt to the terrain in America, while also adapting to the mode of hunting which consisted in quarries that clambered up trees for safety, in contrast to the badgers and foxes of England which would rather run underground. Hence, breeders like John W. Walker and George Washington are upheld for the early development of the American versions of these hound dogs, which could tree and hunt raccoons. This began the meek history of coonhounds in America. The American English Coonhound is recognized by several kennel clubs as the English Coonhound, others as the Redtick Coonhound, nevertheless, it was developed in the Southern United States.
The United Kennel Club of America was the first kennel club to grant recognition to the American English Coonhound. It was initially registered as the English Fox and Coonhound in 1905, although later in the 1940s, the separation was done into different breeds. The Treeing Walker Coonhound was the first to get separated in 1945, shortly after which the Bluetick Coonhound followed. The American Kennel Club (AKC) accepted the American English Coonhound into its Foundation Stock Service in 1995, and later into the Miscellaneous Class in 2010. The following year, it gained official recognition by the AKC. In 2012, the American English Coonhound debuted in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It is an easily recognizable breed in the United States.
Helpful Information
Breed Club: AMERICAN ENGLISH COONHOUND ASSOCIATION
Breed Club Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/121601217889684/
Breed Club Rescue: Coonhound Rescue Network Page
Breed Club Rescue Link: https://www.facebook.com/Coonhound-Rescue-Network-Page-186296814742904/