The English Coonhound has a short, stiff coat that gives is a sleek body shape. The medium-length tail is generally set high up. The dog has an alert, confident carriage that mirrors its tenacious hunting spirit.
This breed is very intelligent, which some believe comes from the flexibility it is given in terms of acceptable coat colors.
Many colorations and patterns are accepted, which means that breeders can focus more effort on product English Coonhound puppies with better skill and ability.
Temperament of an English Coonhound
As expected, the English Coonhound is a highly active and energetic canine. This is a requirement to handle the type of work this dog usually does.
The breed is also very intelligent and eager to please. Their heightened senses make them great trackers. Well-cared-for and trained English Coonhound puppies will grow into devoted, loyal companions.
This dog is not recommended for households with small children or children who tend to play rough with animals. Older children are alright, as long as they are taught proper etiquette when it comes to canine interactions.
This breed also requires an owner with strong leadership skills and the ability to take on an air of authority. Significant socialization should be provided at a young age.
English Coonhound Appearance
You will notice that this breed of dog is quite muscular and strong. You can actually see the muscles on this breed of dog because they are very defined.
This breed does have very floppy ears that almost look like Bassett Hound ears. The ears do come down to the dog’s chin and sometimes a little past that.
This breed can come in a variety of different color options, and you will see a list of colors this breed can come in below.
Height & Weight
The average male English Coonhound stands between 22 and 27 inches (56 to 69 cm) while females come to between 21 and 25 inches (53 and 64 cm).
Weight should be proportionate to the dog’s height.
Health Problems
The English Coonhound is such a tenacious and determined tracker that one of the biggest health concerns is overheating.
The breed may become too hot while on the trail during the warm summer months if not closely monitored.
Living Conditions
If you are looking into adopting English Coonhound puppies, make sure you measure your living space. This is an active working breed that requires a lot of room to move.
Regular exercise is a must as well as mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Apartment dwellers and anyone with limited living space should consider a different breed.
Exercise
English Coonhound puppies grow into dogs that require significant exercise. This is generally not a problem if the canine is being used for its intended purpose.
Otherwise, the owner should be ready to give their pet plenty of attention and long, vigorous walks each day.
This breed is extremely active and will need around 90 minutes of exercise a day. I’m not talking about just having time to play in the backyard; I am talking about vigorous exercise.
This can be done by going on a long walk, run, playing fetch, going to a dog park, etc.
Make sure if you cannot commit to giving this type of dog the exercise it requires that you rethink getting this breed.
English Coonhound Feeding
The American English Coonhound needs around three cups of high-quality dog food a day.
This will cost around $2.00 to $2.50 a day depending on the brand of dog food you choose.
The English Coonhound is a very active dog breed so remember that this dog will burn a lot of calories you will want a good source of protein inside your dog’s food such as chicken, fish, or beef in the first three ingredients.
If you find your dog to still be hungry after the three cups of food throughout the day you can consult with your local vet to see what they recommend to do and if you should give your dog more food.
Life Expectancy of an English Coonhound
The average English Coonhound life expectancy is around 11 to 12 years.
This is a very average life expectancy for a dog breed. It isn’t too long, but it isn’t short either. Depending on your dog’s health will certainly affect your dog’s life expectancy.
Grooming
English Coonhounds have a short, hard coat that is very easy to maintain. Owners should have a stiff bristle brush for regular combings.
This dog is an average level shedder and should only be bathed when necessary.
English Coonhound Training
This breed is very active as well as intelligent. This breed should have an easier time with training than other breeds.
Start with potty training when your dog is a puppy as well as crate training if you are interested in that. This will help give them their early training foundations.
Remember, it is always smart to start early socialization with your dog in their puppy years. This will teach your dog to be kind and not aggressive.
Remember to always show your dog positive reinforcement when your dog is in training and doe something correctly.
Origin
Coonhound history can be traced back to the English Foxhound. The English Coonhound was officially registered by the UKC in 1905. The name given at the time was English Fox and Coonhound.
They were frequently used for fox hunting during that time. Over time various sub-breeds would branch off, including the Bluetick Coonhound and Treeing Walker Coonhound.
Redtick is the most popular variation of English Coonhound today but there are tri-color and bluetick examples as well.
Types of English Coonhounds
Most sub-groups have branched off to create entirely new recognized breeds, including the Bluetick Coonhound and Treeing Walker Coonhound.
What Colors do They Come In?
There are a few different color options that you can typically find in this breed, they include:
- Blue and White Ticked
- Red and White Ticked
- Red and White
- White and Black
- Brown
- Brindle
- Cream
- White
Cool Traits / Characteristics?
The English Coonhound is an excellent treeing and tracking canine. It is a very active working dog that is very loyal and smart.
This breed makes a very good family pet, as well as this breed, is great with children.
They don’t always do the best with other animals such as other dogs or small animals. They have a natural instinct to chase after small animals.
This breed will also not do very well in a small apartment. This dog breed needs plenty of space to roam around the house.
English Coonhound Puppies
Remember, when you are planning on getting a puppy, you want to make sure you are getting one from a reliable breeder that you trust.
Check out the parents of your puppy and ask to see health papers or the latest health exam notes to see how healthy the dogs are.
English Coonhound puppies typically cost around $1000 to $1200 per puppy. Some breeders will actually cost more depending on their dogs if they are championship bloodlines.
Good for First Time Owner? Training?
Most working dogs are not recommended for first-time owners, including the English Coonhound.
This breed is confident, smart, and energetic. It can be a handful for a new owner who is not accustomed to taking the role of the dominant pack leader.
The breed is also not ideal for young families because of its sometimes intense behavior.
Close Relatives of the English Coonhound
There are a few breeds that are closely similar to the English Coonhound, they are:
- Coonoodle
- English Foxhound
- Redbone Coonhound
