Breeds / Large
Black and Tan Coonhound puppies
A large American trailing hound, easy going and affectionate at home and single minded on a scent. They have a deep, carrying bay and need secure fencing and lead walks.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Country of origin United States
- Adult weight 29.5 to 49.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 65 to 110 lb
- Adult height 58 to 69 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Reliably good
About the Black and Tan Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is an American breed, built from Bloodhound and foxhound stock to trail raccoon and larger game by night across rough country. This is a big, loose limbed hound of 58 to 69cm and 29.5 to 49.9kg, with a short black coat, tan points and long low set ears. At home they are easy going and affectionate, rated at the top of the scale with children and other dogs given supervision and early socialisation, and they carry a deep bay that travels a long way.
Exercise needs are moderate but not optional: a long daily walk on the lead, or a play session inside a tall, solid fence, because a Black and Tan on a scent is simply gone. Grooming is a weekly hound glove and the occasional bath, since the breed can develop an odour. Ears want a weekly check. What catches new owners out is the voice. This is a hound bred to be heard across a valley, and they make an awkward neighbour in a terrace.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Black and Tan 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. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their 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 dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation and x-ray of breeding stock
- Cataracts and other eye disease, found on an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Hypothyroidism, diagnosed on a thyroid blood panel
- Ear infections, because the long low set ears cut off air flow, so ears need weekly checking
Your Black and Tan 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 Black and Tan Coonhound.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 29.5 to 49.9 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 48 inch (48 x 30 x 32 in, 122 x 76 x 81 cm) for an adult of up to 49.9 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
More on the Black and Tan Coonhound
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Black and Tan Coonhound breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/black-and-tan-coonhound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Krysta, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.