Black & Tan	Redbone	Bluetick
Treeing Walker	Plott	Redtick/ English

What are Coonhounds? The Coonhounds group consists of six distinct, purebred breeds including the Black and Tan, Bluetick, English, Redbone, Treeing Walker and the Plott hound. They are a medium to large dog, weighing 60-95 lbs. as adults. Mainly bred for hunting, they make wonderful family pets. They are gentle, loving and extremely tolerant. They like to follow their nose, so they need to be in a fenced area or walked on a leash at all times. Coonhounds have a wonderful singing voice. My coonhounds each had distictive voices and a varied range of tones which was used to communicate their needs. Overall, owning a coonhound can be an extremely rewarding experience.

If you want a dog who:

**Is medium to large and about as athletic as you can get!

**Has a short easyily maintained coat.

**Is energetic and loves to be outdoors.

**When well-exercised, is easygoing and laid-back indoors.

**Is good-natured with people and other dogs ........

Then a Coonhound may be right for you.

What you should consider before taking one home:

** You need to be able to provide enough exercise and mental stimulation. Coonhounds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by baying and destructive chewing.

** If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running, hiking, biking or swimming, I do not recommend this breed. Their working behaviors (sniffing scents, chasing things that run, exploring, baying) can be a nuisance in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these hardwired behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult.

** Bounciness. Young Coonhounds (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

** If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Coonhound puppies. The temptation to play roughly is simply too strong in many young Coonhounds.

** Chasing smaller animals. Coonhounds have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures.

** Fence security. To keep your Coonhound in, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging.

** Coonhounds cannot be trusted off leash. A single Coonhound allowed off-fleash will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs.

** Noise. Coonhounds should never be left outside in your yard unsupervised. Their deep voice is extremely LOUD and carries a LONG way. Their baying will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Coonhound out of his yard so he'll wander away.