American English Coonhound
The redtick songster — fox by day, raccoon by night.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 58–66 cm |
| Weight | 20–30 kg |
| Life expectancy | 11–12 years |
| Energy | High — 60–90 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short hard coat · redtick, bluetick, tricolour |
| Group | Hound · AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Bred down from colonial 'Virginia Hounds' to run fox by day and tree raccoons by night, this is a hound with two shifts and one setting: forward. At home it's mellow, affectionate and pack-friendly — until a scent crosses its nose, at which point your plans and its plans quietly diverge.
Habits & quirks
Nose first
A fresh trail across the path ends the walk you planned; the one it plans begins.
The treeing instinct
Squirrels are chased to a trunk and announced at full, triumphant volume.
Professional lounging
After a proper run, it folds into the sofa like it pays rent.
The coonhound bawl
Not a bark but a song — long, ringing and audible three fields away.
Care
| Exercise | Sixty to ninety minutes daily, ideally with scent games or a jogging partner. |
| Containment | A caught scent outranks any fence line — make it high, solid and dig-proof. |
| Training | Patient, food-driven and scent-flavoured; recall must be trained early and never fully trusted. |
| Ears | Long hanging ears trap moist air — check and clean weekly to head off infections. |
Common questions
Are American English Coonhounds good family pets?
For active, tolerant households, yes — they're sweet, sociable and gentle with children. They struggle in flats and quiet neighbourhoods because of voice and mileage needs.
Do American English Coonhounds bark a lot?
They bawl rather than bark, loudly and often, especially when a scent or squirrel demands commentary. It's bred-in and managed, not removed.
How much exercise does this coonhound need?
More than most families expect — over an hour daily with real chances to use its nose. A tired coonhound is a famously easy housemate.