Black and Tan Coonhound
A moonlit nose with a bawling voice — the South's original night hunter.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 58–69 cm |
| Weight | 29–45 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–12 years |
| Energy | Moderate-high — 60 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short, dense coat · black with tan markings |
| Group | Hound · FCI №300 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Built from Bloodhound and foxhound stock to work cold trails alone in the dark, the Black and Tan is independent on the job and wonderfully lazy off it — a calm, friendly housemate that transforms the instant a scent crosses its path. It announces the find in a rolling bawl its hunters could identify from a mile away.
Habits & quirks
Trail announcer
Each dog's bawl is distinctive — hunters knew whose hound had struck by voice alone.
Champion napper
A night worker by heritage, it treats daytime sofas as a professional obligation.
Ground-reading
Walks proceed nose-down, at the speed of scent, not the speed of you.
Counter cruising
That tall frame and food-driven nose make unattended dinners short-lived.
Care
| Containment | A six-foot fence and a lead on walks are non-negotiable — a struck trail erases all memory of you. |
| Ears | The long, low-set ears trap moisture; check and clean them weekly to prevent infections. |
| Exercise | An hour of daily sniffing walks or trailing games; scentwork tires it far better than jogging. |
| Training | Food-led, patient and short — this hound obeys when convinced, not commanded. |
Common questions
Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good family pets?
Yes — off the trail they're mellow, affectionate and good with children and other dogs. Budget for baying, drool and a nose that plans its own outings.
Do Black and Tan Coonhounds bark a lot?
They don't so much bark as bay — a deep, musical bawl bred to carry across miles of woodland. Close-quarters neighbours will have opinions.
Can a Black and Tan Coonhound be walked off-lead?
It's unwise anywhere unfenced — once the nose engages, recall stops existing. Long lines and secure fields are the honest compromise.