Coonhounds are tremendous and outstanding dogs you can have in your home. They are popularly known for their aptitude for raccoon hunting due to their outstanding athleticism.

These dogs are intelligent, energetic, cooperative, agile, and friendly to all kinds of people, including children. However, they are a little bit stubborn and bark loudly.

Coonhounds come in different types, allowing you to choose the most suitable dog for you, depending on your needs.

Here are some of the common coonhound types:

The 6 Types of Coonhounds

1. American English Coonhound

These are lean and muscular dogs, loved by many hunters for their endurance and speed. They are loyal, social, friendly, and affectionate, making them excellent family dogs.

Most American English Coonhounds have an average weight of between 50 to 70 pounds and a height of between 25 to 27 inches. They have a lifespan of between 10 to 12 years, with proper care.

These dogs are brilliant; hence easy to train and groom. Besides, they do not drool too much nor shed large amounts of hair.

However, these dogs can be stubborn sometimes though they are easy to manage through better and consistent training. In addition, they don’t like to be left alone, making them not ideal for new pet owners.

2. Bluetick Coonhound

These are the oldest breed of coonhound with reference to colonial times and are native to Louisiana. They have a short, smooth coat and long, floppy ears that are easy to clean.

Bluetick coonhounds are friendly, happy, and relate well with other pets, making them the perfect choice for multi-pet households. They are very active and loyal but hard to train.

These dogs are well-muscled but racy and sleek. Also, they are not clumsy or chunky and have an incredible prey drive.

Most bluetick coonhounds weigh between 55 to 80 pounds and can grow tall up to 27 inches. Like many coonhounds, they have a life expectancy of between 11 and 12 years.

They get bored quickly and don’t like to stay alone for an extended period. If you know you don’t spend most of your time at home, this breed is not a perfect choice for you. They also like to spend most of their time in the outdoor setting.

3. Black and Tan Coonhound

The black and tan coonhound is one of the most outgoing and passionate dogs you can have. They are mainly bred for hunting raccoons and night hunting.

These coonhounds have long ears that droop downward and a strong tail. Their eyes are dark brown or hazel, and they have a short black coat with tan markings.

They are generally loyal, friendly, intelligent, and responsive. Training them is a bit challenging compared to other coonhounds.

These dogs have an average weight of between 65 to 110 pounds and a height of between 23 to 27 inches. They live between 10 and 12 years.

These coonhounds require a lot of exercise and are very playful—ideal for kids. They shed more hair and drool quite a bit, which is mainly attributed to their training challenge nature.

The black and tan coonhounds don’t like being alone and are not apartment friendly. Therefore, if you live in an apartment, this is not a suitable breed for you.

4. Treeing Walker Coonhound

This coonhound was typically bred for chasing prey up into a tree and then calling his master. These dogs are brave, loyal, intelligent, and friendly to people (kids and strangers included) and other dogs. With proper training, they can mingle with other pets such as cats.

They have dark eyes, long-hanging ears, and a short and soft coat that easily repels mud and any dirt. This makes these dogs easy to maintain and clean. They require human companionship, and their high endurance level makes them excellent hiking companions.

These dogs have tricolors, usually black with white and tan markings. They need a lot of exercise to make them happy. In addition, they are easy to groom but challenging to train. Sometimes they are stubborn and tend to act aloof, but firm training can easily tame them.

Treeing Walker Coonhounds have an average weight of between 50 to 70 pounds and an average height of between 22 to 27 inches. Their life expectancy is between 12 to 13 years.

5. Redbone Coonhounds

Redbone coonhounds were first bred by Scottish settlers specifically for raccoon meat provision. They make tenacious hunters since they have exceptional tracking abilities and plenty of energy.

These dogs have long-hanging ears and an elegant red coat. Their hair is short and silky and needs minimal care. Also, they shed less hair than other coonhound breeds and are easy to clean.

They are very active, making them ideal for athletes or outdoorsy owners. However, they are susceptible to wanderlust, which can cause inconvenience to the owner if they wander off in unlatched areas. The good thing about these dogs is that they are easy to train.

Redbone coonhounds can weigh between 45 to 70 pounds, with an average height of 22 to 27 inches. They live between 12 to 15 years.

6. Plott Coonhound

These coonhounds are unique, and they are the only ones without an English origin since they descend from Germany. They have smooth, refined, and glossy coats. Their hanging ears are medium-sized and have black rims over their noses, eyes, and ears.

They do not drool too much and shed a low amount of hair; hence they are easy to maintain. You only need to bathe them regularly to keep them healthy.

These dogs are intelligent and friendly, and they are easy to train. You don’t have to worry when they break off the leash when outdoors since they are very loyal.

These coonhounds have an average weight of between 45 to 60 pounds and a height of 20 to 25 inches. They have a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years.

These dogs are hostile towards strangers and do not tolerate staying alone for an extended period. Besides, they do not withstand cold weather.

Conclusion

The above are the common types of coonhounds and their different characteristics. Most of them have unmatched energy and endurance, making them ideal hunting and hiking companions.

If you want to purchase a coonhound, ensure you consider the dog with the ideal temperaments for your lifestyle and home.

Featured Image Credit: everydoghasastory, Shutterstock