Treeing Walker Coonhound
走樹獵浣熊犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is 'the People's Choice' among American coonhounds — a swift, streamlined tricolour hound descended from the Virginia foxhounds of Thomas Walker in the 1700s, built to trail a raccoon until it takes to a tree and then bay beneath it, vigorously and distinctively, until the hunter arrives. Treeing Walkers are smart, brave and courteous: very intelligent, eager to learn and to please, affectionate with family and good with children and other dogs, sweet-faced with a gentle, pleading expression — but with a stubborn, independent streak that only a trainer who understands the coonhound brain will enjoy. They are high-energy hounds that delight in a long run, have a very high prey drive and belong on a leash, bark with conviction, and need almost no grooming beyond a weekly check of their floppy ears.
Facts
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Height | 51–69cm |
| Weight | 23–32kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–13years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Short coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 90–180min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 5/ 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.
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.
Ear infections
Recurring ear infections are commonly reported, particularly in drop-eared dogs. Ask your vet how to check and clean the ears.
Behaviour
'The People's Choice' — smart, brave, courteous
The AKC calls the Treeing Walker very intelligent and eager to learn — these hounds love to please their people but have a stubborn, independent streak that can make them seem difficult to a trainer who does not understand the coonhound brain, so keep lessons fun and entertaining and reward good work with treats and effusive praise; its trait chart scores trainability, affection, children, other dogs, energy and mental-stimulation needs all 5/5, and it describes the sweet-faced hound's gentle, pleading expression by the campfire after an honest night's work.
Long runs — on a leash
The AKC says the Treeing Walker, like most coonhounds, is a high-energy breed that delights in stretching its legs in a good, long run and is an excellent candidate for a running or hiking companion; most coonhounds can happily become couch potatoes, but they still need long daily walks at a minimum plus romps, ball-chasing and play with human or canine friends. It has a very high prey drive and should be on a leash for walks and hikes because it may be unable to resist an interesting scent; its bark is scored 4/5 — 'treeing' means baying beneath the tree for as long as it takes. The short coat repels dirt and needs only a wipe, but the floppy ears should be checked for ticks whenever the dog comes in and cleaned weekly.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 5/5, 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 — Treeing Walker 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
Sources
- [1]Treeing Walker Coonhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]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.