Coonhound at a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height
- 58–69 cm
- Weight
- 25–34 kg
- Life expectancy
- from 10 years
Typical for the breed, not a promise about any one dog. Not assessed yet: Exercise, Cats and small pets.
Is the Coonhound right for you?
Like every breed, the Coonhound is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:
May suit you if…
- You have, or would like, another dog.
- You would like a coat that is fairly easy to look after.
Consider another breed if…
- The dog would regularly be left alone for long working days.
- You live in a flat or a small home.
- You have young children at home.
- You would find a lot of dog hair hard to live with.
How would the Coonhound fit your lifestyle?
Choose a few details for a general, non-guaranteed view.
About the Coonhound
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a tall, powerful scent hound with long, low-hanging ears, a long muzzle with deep flews and a dignified, serious expression. It is the Coonhound recognised in the UK, where it sits on the Royal Kennel Club's Import register. It is typically sociable, friendly and gregarious, with immense scenting ability.
Key characteristics
General breed tendencies, not a prediction for an individual dog.
- Size
Large
A large dog.
- Exercise
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Energy level
Very lively
Very lively and usually keen to be busy.
- Grooming
Weekly
The coat usually needs brushing about once a week.
- Shedding
High
Tends to shed a lot, so expect hair around the home.
- Trainability
Independent
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps.
- Good with children
Older children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
- Good with other dogs
Usually sociable
Usually sociable with other dogs.
- Good with cats
Not assessed yet
Our sources do not say enough yet.
- Suits first-time owners
Some experience helps
Some dog experience helps.
- Barking / vocality
Can be vocal
Often quick to bark at visitors or unusual sounds.
- Time alone
Prefers company
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
The breed is American, but its roots lie in British hunting dogs. Foxhounds taken to North America in the 17th century, later mixed with Pointers, Setters, Bloodhounds and French hunting hounds, produced several Coonhound varieties, often told apart by colour. The Black and Tan was the first to be split from the American Foxhound.
Coonhounds were bred to track raccoons by scent, often "treeing" them, or holding them at bay up a tree. Their stamina, strength and courage also made them useful for hunting larger animals such as wild boar, bear and deer. The breed was first imported to the UK from Finland and the US in 2014 and added to the Kennel Club Import register in 2018.
Coonhound temperament
Black and Tan Coonhounds usually take life seriously, whether goofing around or following a scent. They are clever, quick-witted and generally friendly with other dogs, but they have an active mind that needs to be kept busy.
They give voice on the trail and use their loud bark joyfully and often, so they are not a good choice if you have close neighbours. They rarely cope well on their own for any length of time.
Size and appearance
This is a large breed. Adults typically stand 58–69 cm and weigh 25–34 kg.
The coat is short and tight-fitting and comes only in black and tan.
How much exercise does a Coonhound need?
Coonhounds have incredible stamina. Purina recommends at least two hours of exercise a day for adults over varied terrain, with extra time to run free and follow scents, though the Royal Kennel Club's guide lists up to an hour. Trying to tire them out physically only makes them fitter, so mental work such as tracking, mantrailing or scent discrimination is vital.
They are best suited to a rural home with a very large, extremely well-fenced garden, because they are bred to follow scent and ignore obstacles. Varied walking routes give them new scents to explore.
Training a Coonhound
Coonhounds are smart but slow to mature, and are easily considered stubborn. They do not respond well to intensive or repetitive training that seems pointless to them, so they suit a patient owner with some experience of scent hounds.
- Build a strong, positive relationship before expecting much formal training.
- Train "on the job" during daily life rather than in long sessions.
- Use food and scent work to motivate them.
- Socialise them early and thoroughly with other animals and children.
Coonhound grooming
Grooming is easy: wipe the coat over most days and brush once a week with a stiff bristle brush or hound mitt. Check lip folds and ears for food, and check paw pads after walks for grass seeds. The breed sheds heavily.
Living with a Coonhound
For an outdoor family with plenty of well-fenced space and older children, a Coonhound can be an excellent companion. It is not suited to homes with very small children or frail people, as puppies are bouncy and clumsy and grow very large very quickly. Whatever the breed, dogs and young children should never be left alone together, and an adult should supervise every interaction.
Children
Usually better with older, calmer children.
Other dogs
Usually sociable with other dogs.
Flats and smaller homes
Usually needs a roomy home.
Garden
A garden is helpful.
Being left alone
Usually copes only with short periods alone.
First-time owners
Some dog experience helps.
Coonhound health
Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.
Purina describes the Black and Tan Coonhound as a generally healthy breed, and the Royal Kennel Club recommends some health tests before breeding. Knowing about them helps you ask the right questions; it does not mean every dog will be affected.
Hip dysplasia
A condition affecting the hip joints. The Royal Kennel Club recommends hip testing under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme.
Elbow dysplasia
A condition affecting the elbow joints. Elbow testing under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme is recommended.
Eye conditions
The Royal Kennel Club recommends eye testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme as part of best-practice testing.
Atopy
The skin reacts to allergens in the environment and becomes sore and itchy.
What health checks should you ask about?
Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Coonhound home, it is reasonable to ask about:
- Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
- Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
- Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
- Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.
How much does a Coonhound cost to own?
There are two costs: bringing a Coonhound home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.
Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 10 years, not just the first year.
Buying a Coonhound
If you have decided the Coonhound suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.
- Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
- Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
- Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
- Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.
Adopting a Coonhound
Coonhounds do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.
Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.
Coonhounds looking for homes
Live from Mypetzilla, updated as pets are listed.
There are no Coonhound adverts at the moment.
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Similar breeds you may want to consider
Coonhound FAQs
Is the Coonhound good with children?
Usually better with older, calmer children. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
Can the Coonhound live in a flat?
Usually needs a roomy home. Exercise and company matter more than floor space.
Does the Coonhound shed?
Tends to shed a lot.
How much grooming does the Coonhound need?
Typically: about once a week.
Is the Coonhound easy to train?
Can be independent-minded; patient training helps. Kind, reward-based training works best.
Can the Coonhound be left alone?
Usually copes only with short periods alone. Build up time alone gradually.
Does the Coonhound bark a lot?
Can be vocal. Individual dogs vary with breeding, upbringing and health, so ask about the dog you are considering.
How long does the Coonhound live?
Typically from 10 years. Lifespan varies with genetics, weight, care and luck.
How big does the Coonhound get?
Adults typically stand 58–69 cm at the shoulder and weigh 25–34 kg.