The American English Coonhound is a medium to large-sized dog that usually stands at a height of 26 inches. As portrayed in their lean and powerful bodies, these are athletic dogs covered with tight-fit coats that come in several colors. They have wide and long heads, long muzzles, and long ears.
American English Coonhounds were bred to hunt in rough terrain. They are most famous for their speed and endurance, so it’s undeniable that they will be the best companion for active owners. This breed needs time, dedication, and attention to make them great family companions too. If you’re inexperienced and not outdoorsy, it’s not recommended to get one.
American English Coonhound Statistics
| Dog Breed Group | Hound |
| Breed Size | Medium to Large |
| Height | 24-26 inches (male); 23-25 inches (female) |
| Weight | 45-65 pounds |
| Lifespan | 11-12 years |
American English Coonhound Ratings
| Energy level | |
| Exercise needs | |
| Requires attention | |
| Playfulness | |
| Trainability | |
| Shedding | |
| Grooming | |
| Friendly with family | |
| Friendly with kids | |
| Friendly with strangers | |
| Friendly with other dogs | |
| Prey Drive |
American English Coonhound History
As their name implies, American English Coonhounds is another breed native to the south of the United States. They are believed to have descended from English Foxhounds brought to American in the 1800s.
English Foxhounds were said to have been crossed with the local hounds, which are more suited to the area’s weather and terrain conditions. This then resulted in dogs known before as Virginia Hounds.
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne dog breed was then crossed with these hounds, finally creating the American English Coonhounds. Like many coonhounds, the breed specializes in hunting foxes during the day and raccoons during the night. They also hunted opossums, cougars, deer, boars, bears, and bobcats.
By 1905, the United Kennel Club finally recognized the dog breed. As for the American Kennel Club, it took years before the breed was finally recognized in 2010.
Today, they are considered to be one of the fastest coonhound breeds. Despite only ranking 175th as the most popular dog breed in the US, there’s no denying that their hunting skills are recognized.
Temperament
American English Coonhounds are sweet, mellow, and sociable dogs. These dogs are mainly bred to work, and there’s certainly nothing that they love more than that.
You need to take them out for exercise, whether this would be for long walks or running around a securely-fenced yard. If you are a hunter, then taking him as a hunting companion is the best route. And as common with any hunting dog, American English Coonhounds have a high prey drive.
Keep your dog on a leash if you’re going to take him out. This will prevent him from chasing small prey they’ll see, which will certainly make him run away from you. It’s also best if you don’t have small animals at home to prevent any problems.
If you’re an active person, these dogs make excellent family companions. Give him the right outlet to spend his energy during the day, and you’ll indeed have a well-behaved pet indoors at night while you rest.
These dogs are generally friendly with other people and dogs. They are used to forming strong bonds with their family, and they’ll surely return your love with equal devotion and affection. They are patient and gentle with children, but still, keep close supervision with toddlers.
American English Coonhounds will also make excellent watchdogs as they are very vocal. Expect them to bark when someone suspicious enters their territory. However, they are not aggressive dogs and will not make excellent guard dogs.
Early socialization is essential to the breed. This will help make your dog more well-rounded and manageable, especially when it comes to new situations.
Training may not be as easy as these dogs can be easily distracted. You need to find ways to keep training interesting. Bring lots of patience, be consistent, and be firm. Never inflict harm on your dog. Instead, shower him with lots of positive reinforcements to encourage him to learn.
Care Requirements
- Nutrition: American English Coonhounds need high-quality and well-balanced meals to stay healthy and fit. Like many other dog breeds, it’s essential that you only buy food of excellent quality, regardless if you’re serving dog food or home-cooked meals. Ensure that every meal is packed with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates essential for your dog’s growth. You can ask your vet for particular ingredients that contain these nutrients. Then, don’t forget to add fruits and vegetables to your dog’s diet for easier digestion of meals. For dog food, check the label and ensure that the product doesn’t contain fillers, additives, and by-products that will not be good for your dog. And if your dog is allergic to anything, stay away from those ingredients. You should also watch the number of calories you feed your dog daily. It’s always best to consult your vet for basic feeding requirements that will best meet your dog’s needs.
- Grooming: American English Coonhounds have tight-fitting coats that shed occasionally. These coats require very minimal care, which usually involves occasional brushing and baths. You can brush the coats weekly if you want, especially during the shedding season, to keep shedding to a minimum. This will also help spread the oil, giving your dog’s coat a healthy shine. As baths can be given occasionally, ears, on the other hand, need to be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent ear infection. Nails should also be trimmed. Long nails can be painful for active dogs like the American English Coonhound, so keep the nails short.
- Exercise: American English Coonhounds are naturally athletic dogs that need to be exercised regularly. They are best paired with active people who can take them out for a daily bike, run, or hike. If you’re a hunter, then it’s even better. These dogs need lots of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Just make sure to keep him on a leash when taking him out. This way, if he sees or smells something interesting, he won’t be able to run away from you. It’s also excellent if you have a securely fenced yard where he can play and run freely.
- Health: American English Coonhounds are generally healthy. But like many other dog breeds, they are vulnerable to a few diseases. As dog owners, it’s essential to be aware of these so you’d know what to do if they get it. For these dogs, you need to watch out for the following:
- Ear infection
- Bloating
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- The right care and nutrition may prevent your dog from getting these. We also highly recommend letting your dog take some screening tests so you can detect some problems early. We also advise meeting at least one of your dog’s parents to see if there are hereditary conditions you need to be aware of. And lastly, closely monitor your dog’s behavior and if you notice any changes, talk to your vet about it.
- Lifespan: The life expectancy of American English Coonhounds is 11-12 years.
Fun Facts about American English Coonhounds
- American English Coonhounds were developed in the Southern United States.
- They were developed to hunt raccoons.
- They are believed to have descended from English Foxhounds.
- These dogs can climb trees.
- They are one of the 12 most talkative dogs in the world.
- Another name for them is “Redtick Coonhound”.
- They were fully recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2010
Check Out Other Hound Dog Breeds:
Afghan Hound, American Foxhound, Basenjis, Basset Hound, Beagle, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bloodhound, Bluetick Coonhound, Borzois, Cirnechi dell’Etna, Dachshund, English Foxhound, Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens, Greyhound, Harrier, Ibizan Hound, Icelandic Sheepdogs, Irish Wolfhound, Norwegian Elkhound, Otterhound, Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, Pharaoh Hounds, Plotts, Portuguese Podengo, Redbone Coonhound, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds, Sloughis, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Whippet