English Coonhound
Encyclopedia
The English Coonhound, sometimes referred to as the "Redtick Coonhound", is a breed
of dog
. It is a type of coonhound
that is typically bred in the southern United States.
diversity in the breed.
of Bluetick
and Treeing Walker
coonhounds as distinct breeds led to the paring down of the English Coonhound classification. The breed originated in the southeastern United States where they were bred from American
and English
Foxhounds, other European hunting breeds, and native dogs for the purpose of trailing and treeing a variety of animals.
s. They also compete in competition hunts known as "nite" hunts, the largest of which are English Days and Southern English Days which also feature show competitions and water trials.
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
of dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
. It is a type of coonhound
Coonhound
A Coonhound is a type of scent hound and a member of the hound group.Coonhounds are an American style of hunting dog developed for the quarry and working conditions found in the United States. Coondogs are highly valued.-History:...
that is typically bred in the southern United States.
Coloration
Unlike the other classifications of coonhounds, a variety of colorations is acceptable to meet English coonhound breed standards. Coloration can be redtick, bluetick, tricolored and tricolored with ticking. However, red markings are predominant and "Redtick" is a common euphemism for English Coonhounds. Some people believe this lack of emphasis on specific coloration has allowed breeders to focus breeding programs on traits such as intelligence and hunting ability rather than superficial concerns like coat standards. Color variations are common even amongst pups from the same litter of English coonhounds, indicating high levels of DNADNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
diversity in the breed.
Temperament
Like all coonhounds, English are generally good natured and very sociable dogs. Skittishness or aggression is considered a defect according to UKC breed standards. They are strong willed, if not stubborn, and require more patience in training than other breeds. Young dogs are usually extremely active and playful and desirous of human attention in addition to requiring plenty of exercise. English Coonhounds are incessant nesters and should be avoided by people who do not wish to have dogs on couches and beds. They make excellent family pets as they have been bred for hunting purposes to coexist amiably within a pack. English Coonhounds also make adequate watch dogs as they possess extremely loud hound mouths characterized by melodious, drawn out bawls and short, explosive chops.History
This breed was originally classified and registered as the English Fox and Coonhound prior to the specialization of the six breeds of coonhounds. The recognition in the 1940s by the United Kennel ClubUnited Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club is the second oldest all-breed registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States and the second largest in the world. According to the website, the club records 250,000 registrations annually. The UKC is not part of the International Canine Organisation, Fédération...
of Bluetick
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of dog. It is a type of coonhound and typically bred in the southern United States.- Appearance :The overall body style of the Bluetick Coonhound is muscular and speedy, not chunky or clumsily built. The head is carried well up and the tail carried over the back,...
and Treeing Walker
Treeing Walker Coonhound
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a breed of dog descended from the English Foxhound, first recognized as a separate breed in 1945. The breed began when a stolen dog of unknown origin, known as "Tennessee Lead", was crossed into the Walker Hound in the 19th century...
coonhounds as distinct breeds led to the paring down of the English Coonhound classification. The breed originated in the southeastern United States where they were bred from American
American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a breed of dog that is cousin to the English Foxhound. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.-History:...
and English
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is one of the four foxhound breeds of dog. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent.-Appearance:The English Foxhound is about 21-25 inches tall to the withers, and weighs anywhere between 65-75 pounds, although some English Foxhounds bred for the show ring can be...
Foxhounds, other European hunting breeds, and native dogs for the purpose of trailing and treeing a variety of animals.
Hunting
English Coonhounds are often kept as hunting dogs used to trail and tree animals, primarily raccoonRaccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
s. They also compete in competition hunts known as "nite" hunts, the largest of which are English Days and Southern English Days which also feature show competitions and water trials.