Black and Tan Coonhound
黑褐獵浣熊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Black and Tan Coonhound is an American original — a big, athletic night hunter descended from colonial foxhounds and Bloodhounds, bred to trail raccoon by scent and "tree" it with a loud, mournful bay. Easy-going, bright and brave, it is a sociable hound that loves company and will hog the sofa for hours, then switch on a powerful prey drive the moment a squirrel passes, so a strong leash and tall, solid fence are must-haves. It is trainable but independent — expect compliance rather than blind obedience — and a lonely Black and Tan will serenade the neighbourhood.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 58–69cm |
| Weight | 29–50kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 6 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 5/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 4/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 2/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Elbow dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen elbows by X-ray. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Cataracts
Hereditary cataracts are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about eye examinations if you notice cloudiness in the eyes.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is reported in the breed. Ask your vet about thyroid testing if you notice weight gain, lethargy or coat changes.
Ear infections
The AKC advises checking the Black and Tan's long, low-hanging ears weekly for any signs of infection. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Behaviour
Compliance, not blind obedience
The AKC calls the breed intelligent, affectionate and devoted with an independent streak: it can be trained, but expect compliance rather than blind obedience, and because once it learns something it will do it that way for life, train each behaviour correctly the first time. It wants to be with its family, and a hound left alone in a yard for long periods, bored and ignored, is likely to complain — loudly.
Sofa hog with a hair-trigger nose
The AKC describes a sociable hound with an amazingly sensitive nose and a sweet disposition that can keep pace with the most active family yet hog the sofa for hours; a passing squirrel arouses its prey drive in no time, so walks must be on leash and the yard needs a tall, solid fence. It needs moderate daily exercise — a play session or a long walk — and enjoys coonhound field events; the AKC warns it "might be too much hound" for every owner's lifestyle.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 3/5 (moderate) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Black and Tan Coonhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Coonhound Black Tan (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Black Tan Coonhound Imp
Breed characteristics (size large, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Black And Tan Coonhound (standard no. 300, group 6)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Black and Tan Coonhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Coonhound Black Tan — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Black Tan Coonhound Imp — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Black And Tan Coonhound — FCI standard no. 300 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.