American English Coonhound Dog Breed

AKC Dog Breeds: American English Coonhound

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Foundation Stock Service
Height: 23-26 inches Weight: 40-65 pounds Color: Blue And White, Red And White, Black And White With Ticking; Tri-color With Ticking, Brindle, or Solid

The American English Coonhound breed descends from Irish and French breeds brought to America. They were utilized to hunt fox by day and raccoon by night. The original Coonhounds were inadequate when hunting by American standards due to their inability to track quarry in trees. Therefore, the original breed was crossed with the Bloodhound to enhance their scent tracking ability. Today American English Coonhound's are used to track and hunt raccoon, opossum, cougar, deer, boar, and bear. The American English Coonhound is often described as a well-conditioned athlete. They move effortlessly and possess great endurance, vigor, and strength. This breed is capable of tremendous speed, is versatile, and highly competitive.

General Appearance
Renowned for speed and endurance, the American English Coonhound has a strong but racy body, a deep chest with plenty of lung room, a strong back, broad loin and well-defined musculature. A balanced, powerful dog with no exaggerated parts, the American English possesses the grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete. The coat of the American English Coonhound is stiff, harsh, and short. Unlike the other classifications of coonhounds, a variety of colorations is acceptable to meet English coonhound breed standards. Coloration can be redtick, bluetick, tricolored and tricolored with ticking. However, red markings are predominant and "Redtick" is a common euphemism for English Coonhounds. Some people believe this lack of emphasis on specific coloration has allowed breeders to focus breeding programs on traits such as intelligence and hunting ability rather than superficial concerns like coat standards. Color variations are common even amongst pups from the same litter of English coonhounds, indicating high levels of DNA diversity in the breed. Their bark sounds like a hound bawl. The tails are medium length and set high.

Temperament
Like all coonhounds, English are generally good natured and very sociable dogs. Skittishness or aggression is considered a defect according to UKC breed standards. They are strong willed, if not stubborn, and require more patience in training than other breeds. Young dogs are usually extremely active and playful and desirous of human attention in addition to requiring plenty of exercise. The American English Coonhound has a tendency to be high-strung, exuberant, and lively. English Coonhounds are incessant nesters and should be avoided by people who do not wish to have dogs on couches and beds. English Coonhounds are energetic, intelligent and active. Loving and eager to please their owners. Their great senses make them excellent hunters. This breed is an extremely fast, hot-trailing competitive type coonhound. Very devoted to its family, it makes a good companion dog. It does well living indoors and plays a fine guardian to his family and home. They are usually best with older considerate children, but can also do well with younger ones. The American English Coonhound requires early socialization. They do not respond to harsh or heavy-handed methods. Training must be done with firmness, fairness, patience, and consistency.

Grooming
Regular brushing with a firm bristle brush is recommended. Bathing should only be done when absolutely necessary. It is important to regularly check the ears and paw pads for debris. This breed is an average shedder.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy
American English Coonhound's are prone to Hip Dysplasia. They have a life expectancy of 11-12 years.

Activity Level
A highly energetic breed, the American English Coonhound is not recommended for city or apartment dwelling. They do best in a rural setting with an active owner. If they are excessively confined or become bored they will bay consistently and become destructive. English Coonhounds need extensive daily running to be happy. They need to be taken on a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. They may take off after any interesting scent, so do not take the English Coonhound off its leash unless you are in a safe area.

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