The Black and Tan Coonhound is a trusting and affectionate breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.
History
The origins of the Black and Tan Coonhound have been traced to the Bloodhound and the Talbot Hound of England. Unfortunately, this breed’s history was not well documented.
Hunters have favored this breed for their incredible sense of smell and the ability to chase small creatures, especially raccoons. This breed proved itself truly brave throughout history by chasing bear, deer, and even cougar.
This breed was the first coonhound to be recognized as a separate breed from the popular American Foxhound.
The Black and Tan Coonhound was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1945.
Today, the Black and Tan Coonhound remains a popular hunting companion and family pet, available in most markets world wide.
Personality Traits
Most known for its “hot” nose, the Black and Tan Coonhound loves to chase a scent and hunt, its nose being its biggest asset and disadvantage all in one. This breed is very intelligent and has a need to please its master. These dogs are highly adaptable to most any situation or environment. The Black and Tan Coonhound is gentle, friendly, affectionate, and loving.
Train-ability
While the Black and Tan Coonhound is both intelligent and eager to please, this breed can be somewhat challenging to train due to their need to chase a scent. Outdoor training generally proves difficult, as these dogs are distracted by various scents.
It is not impossible to train the Black and Tan Coonhound, though it may seem that way at times. This breed requires strong leadership, a show of dominance, and a gentle yet stern approach.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed
There are many benefits to owning the Black and Tan Coonhound, such as their no hassle coat. These dogs are intelligent and alert, making excellent guard dogs, as their loud howl will alert owner to strangers or possible threats. This breed is affectionate, loving, and friendly, making a nice family pet and companion alike. The Black and Tan Coonhound loves to hunt and play and typically gets along well with small children and other pets.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning the Black and Tan Coonhound. This large and curious breed requires large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Black and Tan Coonhound not receiving the proper amount of exercise will often act out by destroying property, barking, howling, whining, chewing, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.
Due to their amazing sense of smell and instinct to hunt, the Black and Tan Coonhound will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these dogs can be difficult to keep up with and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. This breed must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.
The Black and Tan Coonhound can be somewhat challenging to train and sometimes requires professional intervention.
Common Health Concerns
While the Black and Tan Coonhound is generally known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: hip dysplasia, patellar luxation – dislocation of the knee, bloat, sensitivity to anesthesia, and various joint problems such as arthritis.
Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own a Black and Tan Coonhound? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.
Sources:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/black_tan_coonhound
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/black_and_tan_coonhound
