American English Coonhound puppies

About the American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound traces back to English foxhounds brought to the American colonies, then bred for hunting racoon at night across rough country. It is a lean, racy hound, 58 to 66 centimetres tall, with a hard short coat and a long carrying voice that is part of the job description. Around people it is sociable and easy going, rating five out of five with children and with other dogs, though supervision and socialisation still apply. Around a scent it is single minded.

This is a demanding dog for an ordinary home. It needs a great deal of running and suits someone who already runs, cycles or hikes. Grooming is minimal, a weekly rubber mitt or shedding tool and a bath every four to six weeks, with weekly ear checks because the drop ears trap wax. The voice rates four out of five, so neighbours will hear it. Never trust the recall off lead, because a fresh trail will beat any training you have done.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a American English Coonhound puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and it will need a job to do long before it needs long walks. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
• Progressive retinal atrophy, found on an ophthalmologist evaluation of breeding stock
• Cataracts, found on an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Ear infections under the long drop ears, found on regular ear checks
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs, so owners should learn the signs

From American English Coonhound breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-english-coonhound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your American English Coonhound puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a American English Coonhound.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 20.4 to 29.5 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other large breeds

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