American English Coonhound Complete Information

The American English Coonhounds are very loyal dogs, and are very friendly, both with humans and other dogs.

Other Names: English Coonhound, Redtick Coonhound

Country Of Origin: USA

Dog Group: Hound

Size: Large

Recommended For: Families, couples, single owners

Maintenance Level: Medium/low

Lifespan: 11-12 years

Temperament: Mellow, loyal, instinctive

FAQ:

Good for the First-Time Owner: Yes

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Animals: Yes

Good With Strangers: Yes

Good For Apartments: No

Exercise Requirements: Daily walks

Can Live In Hot Weather: Yes

Can Live In Cold Weather: Yes

Can Tolerate Being Left Alone: Yes

Grooming: Weekly brushing

Trainability: Easy

Breed Overview:

The American English Coonhound is a scenthound and was bred specifically as a hunting dog.

This means it has very strong hunting instincts, and owners should be careful about having the dog around small animals.

They’re still regularly used as hunting dogs, but also make great family pets thanks to their relaxed and loyal temperament.

Overall, the breed is a healthy one and has very few hereditary health issues.

Color: Redtick, bluetick, tricolor

Coat length: Short

Height: Males – 22-27,” females – 21-25.”

Weight: 45-65lbs (weight should be in proportion to height)

Personality And Temperament:

American English Coonhound is known not to be aggressive, and this trait is considered a defect by breed standards.

They are also known to be stubborn, but this can be worked on with the right training.

Also, owners should be careful letting the dog near small dogs, or small pets such as cats and rabbits.

When it comes to training, the breed is very easy to teach.

It’s known to be very smart and can learn commands quickly.

As hunting dogs, it was essential for them to know a range of complex commands, and so this nature has stuck with the breed.

Owners should begin training at a young age, particularly if they want to reduce the risk of the dog being stubborn.

Their hunting instinct is incredibly strong, and dogs have been known to refuse to move if they think they’ve cornered prey. Make sure this is something you can deal with if you’re thinking of getting one.

American English Coonhounds need regular exercise to keep them in good shape.

They were hunting dogs, and so were bred for endurance and sustained exercise, which translates to owners needing to walk them at least once a day, and for a reasonable distance.

The breed isn’t necessarily energetic, but if they’re not walked enough, they can become destructive around the house. Similarly, you should provide mental stimulation to keep the dog entertained.

The breed has long been a popular choice as a family pet, and are known to be very good with children.

They have little problem being kept with other dogs and appreciate the company.

Although the breed is very mellow, you should always be wary about introducing a new dog to children, and continuously monitor the situation to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Another thing that’s worth noting about the breed is that they love to nest, and will do so anywhere they can.

If you don’t like the idea of having a dog on the furniture, make sure you provide plenty of bedding so they can make their own nest wherever they choose.

American English Coonhounds are generally fine around strangers, but this varies between dogs.

Owners should be around whenever possible if new people are going to be around the dog, and socialization should begin as early as possible, although it’s unlikely the dog will become aggressive if this doesn’t happen.

The breed can be kept in both hot and cold climates, but they tend to fare better in warmer environments because of their short coat.

If you plan on keeping them somewhere cold, you might find you need to give them an extra coat when walking, particularly during the winter.

The dog was bred in the southern USA, where the climate is quite warm all year round. Bear this in mind if you’re planning on getting one, and you want to know how they’ll do in your climate.

As a rule, you shouldn’t keep an American English Coonhound in an apartment.

The breed needs plenty of space to explore and keep them entertained, and unlike smaller breeds, they don’t enjoy indoor living.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable letting them out alone, you should at least make sure they have regular access to outdoor space.

You should try to avoid leaving the breed alone for too long, although they do suit working couples, providing the dog is given enough exercise.

If you do plan to leave an American English Coonhound alone for extended periods, it would be best to have at least one other dog to keep them company.

Grooming:

American English Coonhounds have short, coarse fur that requires surprisingly little grooming.

You should aim to brush them around once a week, ideally with a stiff bristled brush. This will help to remove excess hair easily, but you might find that a rubber brush also does a good job.

American English Coonhounds do shed a lot, so be prepared for this, and consider brushing them outside to reduce how much hair carry around the house.

You really shouldn’t need to bathe your dog that often, but it’s recommended if they get very muddy (which they will because they love playing).

Unlike some other breeds, you shouldn’t bathe them for the sake of it, as they generally don’t need it.

Be conscious of how often you bathe them, and consider brushing instead if you want to freshen their coat a little.

As with all other breeds, regular nail clipping is necessary, as is brushing their teeth.

Nail clipping should be done monthly, but this will vary depending on how much exercise the dog gets, and on what surfaces.

You should aim to brush their teeth once or twice a week, or more if your vet recommends it.

Common Diseases And Conditions:

American English Coonhounds are generally a very healthy breed and suffer from few hereditary conditions.

One of the most notable causes of death in the past was overheating during hunts, but this was in temperatures of a southern USA summer.

However, bear this in mind when exercising them in the summer, and be wise with the time of day you choose, and how much exercise you let them have.

The breed’s floppy ears make them prone to wax and dirt build-up, which can lead to problems with hearing, and potential infections.

Check their ears every few days, and clean with a damp tissue whenever necessary. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, many groomers will be happy to help.

Also, get their ears checked regularly at the vets to keep on top of potential infections.

American English Coonhounds are prone to bloat because of their deep chest.

Symptoms of this condition include loss of appetite, obvious bloating around the abdomen, and pain. Again, if you have any concerns, consult your vet, who will also be able to give you a list of signs of the condition developing.

Realistically, there’s little that can be done to avoid it, and you should make sure the dog is fed a healthy diet and doesn’t over-exert itself while exercising.

As with many other purebred breeds, American English Coonhounds are susceptible to hip dysplasia.

However, most worthwhile breeders will scan for this, and any possible eye conditions, and should always be happy to provide a health certificate before you adopt the dog. If not, take this as a warning sign and reconsider your purchase.

History:

The American English Coonhound can trace its heritage back to the original foxhounds that were brought over to America during first settlement, and so can indirectly trace its lineage back much further.

They were developed from these original breeds to suit better the new rougher terrain in America, which was quite different from British territory. As is probably evident in the name, they were bred to hunt raccoons.

The United Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1905, but at the time was called English Fox and Coonhound.

Over the following decades, this split into several other types of Coonhound, until the American English Coonhound was officially registered in 1995, however, it was only entered into the hound class in 2011, having moved up from miscellaneous.

Since then, breeders have begun showing them at competitions, although there have so far been no notable wins for the breed.

American English Coonhound Facts & Figures:

Did You Know?

  • They were originally bred to hunt red foxes by day, and raccoons by night.
  • The American English Coonhound is one of the few breeds of dog known to climb trees.
  • George Washington was one of the first people in America to keep the breed, and is believed to have helped develop it into the breed it is today.
  • The breed loves to bark and was recognized as one of the most talkative breeds in the world.
  • American English Coonhounds are sometimes known for their split personalities and can switch between energetic and calm almost at the flick of a switch.
  • American English Coonhound puppies for sale: Price ranges from $1000 – USD 1200.

References:

1.English Coonhound. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ukcdogs.com/enlgish-coonhound

2. American English Coonhound Dog Breed Information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-english-coonhound/

About the author: Driven by his lifelong passion for dogs and an insatiable curiosity about their diverse breeds, Pablo Pascua founded dogbreedsfaq.com. Through this website, he seeks to expand his knowledge and share his findings with fellow dog enthusiasts. Having owned several dogs throughout his life, Pablo’s experiences have fueled his interest in learning more about these beloved animals. His mission is to provide accurate and comprehensive information to help pet owners make informed decisions about their furry companion.