American English coonhound

June 9, 2022 January 5, 2023

The large American English coonhound is energetic, affectionate, very vocal and addicted to his job as a specialised raccoon hunter. Owners of this breed say he’s also an incredibly loyal companion dog, but he needs an abundance of exercise and a dedicated outlet for his hunting desire.

His captivating beauty – those big eyes, long droopy ears, intense expression and lean, muscular body – may make the American English coonhound a tempting breed to have as a pet, but these are hunting dogs, through and through.

History

When European settlers began arriving on the North American continent, they brought foxhounds with them from England and Europe. Over time, these dogs were bred and developed to endure tough terrain and conditions, specialising in hunting fox by day and raccoon by night. They were thus first called the English fox and coonhound (and are sometimes called the redtick coonhound – for the red ticking on white fur, which is one of many coat colours in this breed). In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, raccoons were an abundant source of meat, fat and fur, so ‘coonhounds’ were developed and trained specifically to find and hunt raccoons.

The American English coonhound is one of six coonhound breeds, but he’s considered the fastest and the one who makes raccoon hunting so worthwhile. Despite his long history, the American English coonhound was only accepted to the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995, in their Foundation Stock Service. In 2011, he was moved into the Hound Group and formally recognised.

Temperament

As a hunting dog, the American English coonhound is fast and formidable. He has a strong prey drive and stubbornly pursues prey animals, barking and barking and barking as he goes. When not caught in the instinctive throes of a hunt, the American English coonhound is a mellow, sweet, affectionate and sociable house dog. He will bark, but is generally friendly even towards strangers, so he doesn’t make a good guard dog.

As a dog who needs a tremendous amount of exercise to use up his abundant energy, this breed can get frustrated and destructive if he’s not exercised well. He’s only recommended for experienced dog owners.

Health

Generally healthy, the American English coonhound is – as many purebred dogs – susceptible to certain health conditions. Some of these are based on his size and some on behavioural aspects of the breed:

Eye conditions: Cataracts; progressive retinal atrophy
Orthopaedic conditions: Hip and elbow dysplasia (be careful not to over-exercise the dog before he is physically mature)
Gastric dilatation volvulus: Life-threatening bloat
Overheating: During the hot hunting months, the American English coonhound is too focused on his task to recognise when he needs to take a break. He is one-track minded to a fault when in pursuit of his quarry.

Exercise Requirements

Developed to hunt tirelessly and work in a team/pack, the American English coonhound has lots of energy to burn and can do so while running alongside his human on foot or on a bike. Hiking would be a favourite pastime, although he’d need to stay leashed to avoid his nose leading him off crashing through underbrush or woods after a small wild animal. He needs lots and lots of exercise to keep his body healthy and his mind occupied, and he’d do well in a large, safe area, being allowed to run at full tilt.

As friendly as he is with other humans and dogs, the American English coonhound still needs early and consistent socialisation to maintain his charming personality. It won’t take much to train him to hunt, but for everything else, he needs patient and consistent rewards-based training.

Grooming Requirements

The American English coonhound’s short, flat coat is easy to groom – needing just a weekly brush down with a grooming mitt or short-bristled brush. He has a naturally shiny coat that needs only the occasional bath with a conditioning shampoo. Keep his nails short, regularly check his ears for any signs of infection or build-up of debris, and brush his teeth daily for a happy, healthy dog.