American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound is an energetic, active, and playful dog. They are brilliant, quickly find a common language with the owner, and obey him in everything. The Redtick Coonhound is excellent for a large family as a companion. The coonhound is wonderful with children and loves to play with them. He will tolerate any mischief, but it is better not to leave them unattended if the child is too young.

Breed Photos

Origin History

The American English Coonhound is bred in the southern United States. Many immigrants brought many different dogs with them during the colonization period, and new breeds began to emerge.

The American English Coonhound ancestors were English and French hounds, which were imported from Ireland and France.

The very name of the breed, coonhound, means raccoon hound. It is adapted to hunt nocturnal animals in the worst of weather conditions. The coonhound group includes seven species recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Kennel Club (AKC). The American English Coonhound is one of them.

Appearance

The American English Coonhound has a well-proportioned and muscular body. The chest is deep, and the back is strong. The head is medium length, eyes wide open, mostly dark shades. The ears are floppy. The teeth are strong; the bite is scissor-shaped. The tail is dense, tapering from base to end. The limbs were powerful. The coat is hard, medium length. The color can be different shades: blue, red-mottled, tricolor with mottling.

Character

The American English Coonhound is an energetic, active, and playful dog. They are brilliant, quickly find a common language with the owner, and obey him in everything.

The Redtick Coonhound is excellent for a large family as a companion.

The coonhound is wonderful with children and loves to play with them. He will tolerate any mischief, but it is better not to leave them unattended if the child is too young.

The American English Coonhound values freedom of movement and needs active walks. Therefore, life in an apartment will not suit him at all.

A coonhound can chase prey without stopping for several hours. He can walk even on a cold trail, acting without the help of the owner. If the family does not have the opportunity to hunt, it is necessary to find an alternative inactive walk. Otherwise, the pet may begin to have behavioral problems.

To strangers, the American English Coonhound behaves calmly, sometimes aggressively. You can try the pet as a guard, but it will not be able to sit on a chain for a long time.

The main problem of the Coonhound is its energy, which is overpowering. The pet can dig over an entire garden, barking for hours. All this will be evidence of a lack of physical activity. Only training and proper education can make a naughty hound a balanced dog. Outdoors, the coonhound often awakens the hunting instinct. Even as a puppy, you need to introduce the dog to the outside world and other animals. A well-bred dog should not rush into the chase, ignoring the orders of the owner.

Care

The American English Coonhound does not require special care. It is enough to monitor the condition of the coat so that it retains its former appearance. During shedding, it is necessary to comb the pet more often with a special brush.

It is not recommended to bathe your dog often. It can irritate the skin, so it is better to use a wet rag if it gets dirty. Pay attention to your dog’s eyes, mouth, and ears.

Training

It takes a lot of effort to avoid behavioral problems and to raise an obedient dog. It should be done from a very young age.

Take enough time for walks to make the Redtick Coonhound feel fulfilled. Regular walks can be combined with play and training. After each correct action, reinforce the result with a treat and verbal reward.

Socialization will be an important step in training. The coonhound loves to socialize with other dogs.

Common Diseases

Many American English Coonhound health problems are caused by improper care or excessive exercise. After a walk, you should inspect your pet’s ears and fur for irritations or parasites. At the slightest deviation from the norm, it is necessary to contact a specialist. The breed is quite resistant to disease but has several hereditary problems.

The American English Coonhound is prone to these diseases:

• hip dysplasia;
• conjunctivitis;
• deafness;
• otitis media.

Nutrition

The pet’s diet should be balanced. You should not overfeed the pet, but the portion should be increased in case of large physical exertion. Lean meat can be the basis of the diet. Kashi and vegetables will give the pet energy.

Cottage cheese is also an important food. Don’t forget vitamin supplements, which can contribute to the strength of your pet’s joints. Water should always be readily available and can be taken on long walks. It is worth excluding tubular bones, sweets, and smoked foods.