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American Black and Tan Coonhound
This is an excellent tracking
dog in its determined pursuit of its quarry. This dog is often
known as the "treeing hound," as it forces the raccoon to take
refuge in a tree.
History:
The American Black and Tan
Coonhound has a most impressive ancestry. This dog was bred
from a combination of the Talbot Hound from the eleventh
century, the Foxhound, the Kerry Beagle from Ireland, the
Bloodhound, and the American Virginia Foxhound. The American
Black and Tan Coonhound was bred especially for the local
conditions of tracking and treeing raccoons and opossums.
Physical
characteristics:
The American Black and Tan
Coonhound is a large powerful dog with an athletic build.
Height: 23 - 27 in (58 - 69 cm). Weight: 55 - 75 lb (25 - 34
kg). This dog has the appearance of a classic hound. The
well-set, light brown eyes reveal the dog's intelligence as
they look out at you over a long square muzzle. The long
drooping ears are set well back on the large well-proportioned
head.
This dog has a long powerful
neck with a muscular yet athletic body. The long tail usually
flows down towards the ground but is held upright when the dog
is alert. The dense coat is short and, as the name suggests,
is colored black with tan markings above the eyes, on the
sides of the muzzle, and on the lower extremities of the legs
and feet.
Behavior:
The American Black and Tan
Coonhound gains a degree of confidence from its large size and
appears to be a very well-balanced dog. This animal is very
intelligent and perfectly bred for the tasks of tracking and
chasing. This very alert dog makes an excellent watch-dog. It
acts as a real deterrent when it sounds off its magnificent
hound-like bark. Unlike its smaller cousins, the American
Black and Tan Coonhound also satisfies the requirements of a
true guard dog, as it can be very territorial.
This
dog is normally very gregarious and gets along very well with
other dogs. Understandably, care should be taken so as not to
upset the social hierarchy when several of these hounds are
kept together. Generally, these American Black and Tan
Coonhounds are kept as working dogs. However, where they are
to be kept as companion animals, they should be socialized
with people when they are puppies. Their large size and robust
physique mean they are not normally scared of larger children
and can become excellent companions, although care should be
taken that smaller children do not get bowled over in rough
games. Never leave small children unattended with several
hounds together.
The
American Black and Tan Coonhound is a marvel to watch as it
nimbly races across difficult terrain. It should be provided
with lots of exercise and thrives if given regular tasks.
Bored, under-exercised dogs have a tendency to become snappy
and unhappy. This well-mannered dog is readily trainable with
an assertive owner, who will be rewarded with a very loyal
hound. The American Black and Tan Coonhound is a tenacious
dog. Once it fully understands the task it will tirelessly
keep at it until it succeeds.
This
dog has few common ailments but its feet should be checked
after working, and particular attention should be given to its
ears. The large hanging ears may be susceptible to infections
or become damaged during a chase. A truly magnificent working
dog.
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