American English Coonhound gets its name due to its similarity to English and American Foxhounds. The breed was later separately recognized by UKC in 1905 and registered as English Fox and Coonhound. The breed of dogs is still used competitive hound owners and hunters in USA.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: Great Britain
Used for: Hunting, Companion
Average Life Span: 11-12 years
Color: Black, tan, red, brown and ticked white
Coat: Short and hard. Easy to care
Average Height: 21-27 inches
Average Weight: 40-65 pounds
Group: Hound
History and Domestication
The history of English Coonhounds is known to be the history of all Coonhounds.
When the English Coonhound’s ancestors first immigrated to America in the early 1800s, they were bred to be fox hunters. But, breeders started combining these foxhounds with other canines in the 20th century to create effective raccoon hunters.
It was first registered under the name of English Fox and Coonhound in 1905 by UKC.
Their name reflected the similarity they shared with English Foxhound and American Foxhound.
Standard Physical Characteristics
American English Coonhounds have a short and hard coat. The coat can be of various colors like red and white ticked, clue and white ticked, white and black, tricolored with ticking, white and red. However, excessive red and black is considered faulty. Its bark sounds like the bawl of a hound. Its tails is set high and of medium length. This breed is pleasant, confident, alert and sociable with dogs and humans.
Care, Grooming and Health
These dogs need extensive running daily to stay happy. They also need their daily long and brisk walks or jogs where they must be made to heel beside or behind the owner as in dog’s world, a leader leads the way. If they lack exercise, they tend to become high strung. Also, don’t take off their leash unless you are in a safe area as they have a habit of taking after interesting scents.
The short and hard coat of this breed is easy to care for. A brush with firm bristles must be used while brushing their coat. Shampoo only when necessary. The breed sheds moderately.
Living Conditions
These dogs are not suited for apartment life and they tend to be very active indoors. They do best with some acreage.
Temperament
American English Coonhounds are intelligent, energetic and active. There are always loving and very eager to please their owners. Their great sense of smell makes the, excellent hunters. The dog is very devoted to his family which makes him a good companion dog. The dog is happy to love indoors and does a good job in guarding his family. They are best with older children but do well with younger ones too. They need to be socialized at a young age so that they don’t become reserve. The breed needs owners who are confident, firm and consistent and have an air of authority. They become high stung without proper mental and physical exercise.
Adoption Groups
- Coonhound Rescue Network
- Treeing Walker Coonhound Rescue
- American English Coonhound Adoption/ Rescue