BLACK AND TAN COONHOUND INFORMATION
So you want to own a Black and Tan Coonhound?
The Black and Tan Coonhound is first and fundamentally a working dog used to
track and tree raccoons.
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a powerful and agile dog with the courage and
stamina enabling him to hunt deer, bear, and mountain lion.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are medium-large dogs (65-100 pounds), and can adapt to
living either outside or indoors.
The Black and Tan Coonhound's coat tends to shed all year long and requires
regular brushing.
Due to the Black and Tan Coonhound's hunting instincts, he should never be
turned loose or exercised unless within the confines of a securely fenced yard.
The average lifespan of a Black and Tan Coonhound is about ten years.
History
Although a comparatively recent addition to our roster of purebreds, the Black
and Tan Coonhound is actually an old breed as history is reckoned. In all
probability he has descended from the Talbot hound which was known in England
during the reign of William I, Duke of Normandy, in the 11th century; thence
down through the Bloodhound and the Foxhound via this country's own Virginia
Foxhound, frequently referred to as the "black and tan."
Selectively bred on a basis of color (for there were "coopers" of other colors
as well) and for proficiency on possum and raccoon, the black-and-tan strain was
carefully developed over a period of years and admitted to registry by the
American Kennel Club in 1945.
The Black and Tan Coonhound works his trail with consummate skill and
determination, albeit not at a particularly fast pace. In fact, he trails
Bloodhound fashion, entirely by scent, with nose to the ground, "barking up" or
giving voice the moment his quarry is treed. And despite the fact that the dog
has been nurtured as a specialist on coon, he can do equally well in hunting
deer, mountain lion, bear, and possibly other big game.
Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Black and Tan Coonhound is first and fundamentally a working dog, a trail
and tree hound, capable of withstanding the rigors of winter, the heat of
summer, and the difficult terrain over which he is called upon to work. Used
principally for trailing and treeing raccoon, the Black and Tan Coonhound runs
his game entirely by scent. The characteristics and courage of the Coonhound
also make him proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, mountain lion and other big
game. Judges are asked by the club sponsoring the breed to place great emphasis
upon these facts when evaluating the merits of the dog. The general impression
is that of power, agility and alertness. He immediately impresses one with his
ability to cover the ground with powerful rhythmic strides.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size measured at the shoulder--Males 25 to 27 inches; females 23 to 25 inches.
Oversized dogs should not be penalized when general soundness and proportion are
in favor. Penalize undersize. Proportion--Measured from the point of shoulder to
the buttocks and from withers to ground the length of body is equal to or
slightly greater than the height of the dog at the withers. Height is in
proportion to general conformation so that dog appears neither leggy nor close
to the ground. Substance--Considering their job as a hunting dog, the individual
should exhibit moderate bone and good muscle tone. Males are heavier in bone and
muscle tone than females.
Head
The head is cleanly modeled. From the back of the skull to the nose the head
measures from 9 to 10 inches in males and from 8 to 9 inches in females.
Expression is alert, friendly and eager. The skin is devoid of folds. Nostrils
well open and always black. The flews are well developed with typical hound
appearance. Penalize excessive wrinkles. Eyes are from hazel to dark brown in
color, almost round and not deeply set. Penalize yellow or light eyes. Ears are
low set and well back. They hang in graceful folds, giving the dog a majestic
appearance. In length they extend naturally well beyond the tip of the nose and
are set at eye level or lower. Penalize ears that do not reach the tip of the
nose and are set too high on the head. Skull tends toward oval outline. Medium
stop occurring midway between occiput bone and nose. Viewed from profile the
line of the skull is on a practically parallel plane to the foreface or muzzle.
Teeth fit evenly with scissors bite. Penalize excessive deviation from scissors
bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is muscular, sloping, medium length. The skin is devoid of excess
dewlap. The back is level, powerful and strong. The dog possesses full, round,
well sprung ribs, avoiding flatsidedness. Chest reaches at least to the elbows.
The tail is strong, with base slightly below level of backline, carried free and
when in action at approximately right angle to back.
Forequarters
Powerfully constructed shoulders. The forelegs are straight, with elbows turning
neither in nor out; pasterns strong and erect. Feet are compact, with well
knuckled, strongly arched toes and thick, strong pads. Penalize flat or splayed
feet.
Hindquarters
Quarters are well boned and muscled. From hip to hock long and sinewy, hock to
pad short and strong. Stifles and hocks well bent and not inclining either in or
out. When standing on a level surface, the hind feet are set back from under the
body and the leg from pad to hock is at right angles to the ground. Fault--Rear
dewclaws.
Coat
The coat is short but dense to withstand rough going.
Color
As the name implies, the color is coal black with rich tan markings above eyes,
on sides of muzzle, chest, legs and breeching, with black pencil markings on
toes. Penalize lack of rich tan markings, excessive areas of tan markings,
excessive black coloration. Faults--White on chest or other parts of body is
highly undesirable, and a solid patch of white which extends more than one inch
in any direction is a disqualification.
Gait
When viewed from the side, the stride of the Black and Tan Coonhound is easy and
graceful with plenty of reach in front and drive behind. When viewed from the
front the forelegs, which are in line with the width of the body, move forward
in an effortless manner, but never cross. Viewed from the rear the hocks follow
on a line with the forelegs, being neither too widely nor too closely spaced,
and as the speed of the trot increases the feet tend to converge toward a center
line or single track indicating soundness, balance and stamina. When in action,
his head and tail carriage is proud and alert; the topline remains level.
Temperament
Even temperament, outgoing and friendly. As a working scent hound, must be able
to work in close contact with other hounds. Some may be reserved but never shy
or vicious. Aggression toward people or other dogs is most undesirable.
Note--Inasmuch as this is a hunting breed, scars from honorable wounds shall not
be considered faults.
Disqualification
A solid patch of white which extends more than one inch in any direction.
*Information taken from http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/blkntan.cfm