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American English Coonhound Breed Card
American English Coonhound Breed Overview
Group
Hound Group
Height
23-26 inches
Breed Recognition
Yes
Weight
45-65 pounds
Country of Origin
England
Personality
Sociable, sweet, mellow
Lifespan
11-12 years
Shedding
Moderate
American English Coonhound History
The American English Coonhound is “American by birth, English by ancestry” as the AKC puts it. They are one of six coonhound breeds American frontiersmen bred to specialize in trailing and treeing the raccoon. The breed is believed to descend from English Foxhounds brought to the United States in the late 18th century. Importations of English Foxhounds during America’s formative years refreshed the gene pool used by Colonial breeders to create America’s coonhound breeds.
George Washington is credited with much of the advancement of the coonhound breeds, particularly the Virginia hounds. Backwoods breeders created crossbreeds of coonhounds and other breeds to create the American English Coonhound, which was once known as the English Fox and Coonhound. These dogs were bred over time to specialize in night hunts when the raccoon is most active and most experts believe they are the fastest of the coonhound breeds.
Since their inception, they have proven to be excellent at their job and are great when hunting in packs. The breed was acknowledged by the United Kennel Club in 1905 as the Coonhound and English Foxhound.
In 1995 it was recognized by the American Kennel Club when the Foundation Stock Service Of the AKC recognized the breed as the American English Coonhound. They were finally recognized as a purebred dog breed by the AKC as recently as 2011, although they were introduced to America 200 years ago, making it the AKC’s 171st breed.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $800
High End: $1000
American English Coonhound Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The American English Coonhound dog breed is built for speed, an athletic trait the breed is well known for. Its barrel chest and thick back give it an athletic appearance and the well-developed muscles offer an element of grace in its stature. It features a moderate-sized head with an elongated snout which is framed politely by long ears and expressive, inviting eyes. A medium-length tricolored coat with an array of patterns is stretched snuggly across this dog’s meaty build and the tail is sturdy and about as long as its torso.
Renowned for speed and endurance, the American English Coonhound has a strong but racy body, a deep chest with plenty of lung room, a strong back, a broad loin, and well-defined musculature. A balanced, powerful dog with no exaggerated parts, the American English possesses the grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 24-26 inches
Weight: 45-65 pounds
Height: 23-25 inches
Weight: 45-65 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Brown
Coat Color
Black, brown, red, cream, white, brindle
Coat Length
Medium
Coat Texture
Straight
American English Coonhound Temperament and Personality
The American English Coonhound is a mellow and beautiful social canine. They tend toward the pack mentality and do very well around small children and other animals, despite their high prey drive. Their mellow disposition makes them poor guard dogs but great around strangers as they are more likely to entertain their curiosity and follow the stranger around rather than bark at them. Despite this, they are known for their big bays, bawls, and howls, something for which the hound breed is renowned, although they are typically reserved and quiet indoors.
This breed is highly trainable but because they are bred for hunting they tend to have a very high prey drive. This can be curtailed with extra training and socialization. Overall, the American English Coonhound is an obedient and laid-back breed with a high prey drive that will require a bit of patience and effort to mitigate.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the American English Coonhound is known to be very kind and friendly. They are not quick to lose their patience and are energetic enough to keep up with young children. Their mellow demeanor makes them wonderful around children and helps to make them stranger-friendly dogs.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
Yes, the American English Coonhound is great with other pets. Although they have a high prey drive, they are not prone to chasing animals they know are part of their pack. Caution should still be exercised when introducing your new coonhound to any pet, especially smaller animals like cats and rabbits. These dogs are intelligent and trainable but they can still succumb to their chasing instincts.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
Yes, the American English Coonhound is known to bark a lot. It is often not considered excessive barking because they tend to be quieter indoors than outdoors but these are hound dogs, which are known for their vocality and whose howls are renowned as some of loudest of any dog breeds.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
Yes, the American English Coonhound can be left alone. These are social dogs but are independent enough to do well on their own while their family is out for the day. Their laid-back effect allows them to be okay on their own but they should not be left alone for extended periods as this can exacerbate the dog’s emotions and lead to problem behavior.
American English Coonhound Training
Training will be relatively easy with the American English Coonhound. These are highly trainable dogs with an eagerness to please their owners, with whom they are tightly bonded. This means they will take well to basic obedience training, which will be necessary to control their basic instincts.
Since this dog is a highly energetic and active dog with a strong prey drive they will also do well with more specific training. Heel and recall commands can do a lot to make your dog more amicable, especially if you are looking to take your dog off-leash like when hiking or at a dog park.
American English Coonhound Needs
Novice owners should note the American English Coonhound is an energetic dog that will require great stimulation to satisfy their activity needs. This can be done with brisk walks multiple times per day, vigorous runs, or long hikes. They will also need training in basic obedience commands as well as more specialized training to quell their chasing instincts. This exercise and training will also help to develop them emotionally so they are better able to tolerate being left alone.
On the subject of being left alone, these dogs are highly social and do best in packs. Packs of American English Coonhounds are used for hunting, which means these dogs were bred to work together and be around each other every day. Supporting your coonhound’s emotional needs and development with early socialization, plenty of exercise, and consistent training is imperative to raising a well-adjusted dog.
This breed of dog is an athlete, which means they need high-quality dog food to fuel their day-to-day activities. Getting a high protein, nutrient-dense kibble will go a long way to improving the dog’s quality of life. Dog treats that offer supplementation for the joints and eyes of a dog will also prove useful as these dogs are susceptible to joint dysplasia and retinal atrophy.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
The athlete in this dog breed requires high-quality dog food to fuel their exercise. Giving them high-quality food formulated for their age, size, and activity level will garner the best results. Dog treats that offer some more nutrition and supplementation will also aid in your training of this dog as they tend to be highly food motivated.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
Although these are high energy, active hunting dogs with great endurance. They are also mellow couch potatoes. Similar to the greyhound, also known as the “world’s fastest couch potato”, these dogs need to release energy through bouts of sprinting but tend to be laid back once they are indoors.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
Grooming the American English Coonhound is a breeze. Their medium-length coat only requires weekly brushing to keep it healthy. It is not advised to bathe them frequently as their coat is hard and stiff to avoid attracting dirt and debris. It is also protected by natural oils that come from the skin and help to shed dirt. This oil is removed during a bath and can lead to dry skin and dry, brittle fur that no longer protects the dog from the brush during a hunt.
American English Coonhound Average Lifespan
The average life expectancy of the American English Coonhound is 11-12 years. These are generally healthy dogs but they can develop hip and elbow dysplasia as well as retinal atrophy and bloat, which can impact the dog’s quality of life.
Commom Health Problems
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): This is a group of retinal degenerative diseases that affect the photoreceptor cells of the eye. These eye disorders will likely lead to blindness.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia: The degeneration of the hip sockets and elbow joints. This is common in almost all dog breeds but it can lead to muscle atrophy, limited mobility, and arthritis.
- Gastric dilatation volvulus: The condition is multifactorial but is commonly associated with rapid ingestion of large meals. The presence of food and gas causes the stomach to significantly dilate and expand, which may have several severe consequences including rupture of the stomach wall, pressure on the lungs, reduced breathing, and prevention of adequate blood return to the heart from the abdomen.
- Ear infections: This is quite common in dogs with large ears. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can imbed themselves in the ear wax which can cause itching, trauma, and hearing damage.
Recommended Health Tests
- X-rays
- Eye examination
- Physical examination
Tips for New American English Coonhound Owners
Here are some helpful tips for first-time American English Coonhound owners:
Tip 1
Buy only from a reputable breeder: A responsible breeder will have genetic tests done on their breeding stock to ensure they are healthy to minimize the risk of health issues in the future. They will also have documentation on the dog’s lineage and will begin obedience training before you pick up your new puppy.
Tip 2
Buy supplies ahead of time: Buying everything you need for dog ownership will make your new dog’s transition into your home easier and reduce much of the stress. This will also ensure you have everything you need when you need it so you aren’t caught unprepared in any event.
Tip 3
Train your dog early and often: It is important to train any dog as early as possible, regardless of breed. This will not only help you to teach the dog who is in charge and install a dynamic between you and your dog, but it will also help you bond with your dog. Dog training will strengthen the relationship you have with them, thus making them loyal to and protective of you while also making them listen to you when needed. First-time dog owners can also benefit greatly from this experience as it provides them with many learning opportunities to become great dog owners.
Tip 4
Socialize your dog often: This is a social breed that does best when around other dogs. If they are not socialized often enough they may become overprotective of their pack and suspicious of others.
American English Coonhound Similar Breeds
– American Foxhound
– Bloodhound
– Black and Tan Coonhound
– Bluetick Coonhound
American English Coonhound Supplies You Need
High-quality dog food should be your priority for any dog. Along with this a food bowl and water will also be necessary as well as nutritious dog treats that will help with training and obedience. Dog toys may be offered for mental stimulation but these dogs are often more food driven than toy driven.
Since these dogs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, a high-quality dog bed or orthopedic dog bed will go a long way to keeping your dog moving well and without pain. This will also mean you will need a good leash and harness for walks and runs. It is often recommended to use harnesses during walks, especially with dogs who have high prey drives. Collars, which are often used in lieu of a harness, can place pressure on the throat of the dog and cause injuries.
Best Dog Beds for American English Coonhounds
Best Dog Food for American English Coonhounds
Best Dog Supplements for American English Coonhounds
American English Coonhound Fun Facts
If you’re considering getting an American English Coonhound, here are some fun facts about the breed:
Fun Fact 1
The American English Coonhound is widely considered to be the fastest of the coonhound breeds.
Fun Fact 2
This dog has gone by many names throughout its tenure including American English, English Fox and Coonhound, and Redtick Coonhound.
Fun Fact 3
The breed was around for about 200 years before the AKC recognized it as a pure breed.
Fun Fact 4
Despite their reputation for having one of the loudest howls in the canine kingdom, these dogs are surprisingly quiet indoors and friendly to strangers, making them poor watchdogs.
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