Consider These 15 Factors Before Purchasing an American English Coonhound Puppy

The American English Coonhound was also known as the Virginia Hounds and Redtick Coonhound. Bred in the United States, the American English Coonhound is a medium-sized hunting breed with long ears, short fur, and lengthy snouts for sniffing out animals in the wilderness. American by birth and English by ancestry, it's believed that the American English Coonhound was descended from English Foxhounds. Once referred to as the English Fox and Coonhound, the breed was known for hunting foxes during the day and then raccoons at night. This dog breed has a rich and long history! If you are thinking of getting this dog home, continue reading to get a feel of its temperament, grooming, feeding, and activity requirements. Here are the things you need to consider!

They were bred to hunt raccoons.

There is no better hunting dog than the American English Coonhound. An American English Coonhound won the first major coon dog trial, which evaluated canines on their abilities to track and chase raccoons, hence the "coon" in the name.

With its origins in frontier America, the American English Coonhound is one of six coonhound breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Raccoons, which early settlers in North America found to be an ideal source of food, fur, and fat, inspired the creation of a breed of dog uniquely adapted for tracking and "treeing" them.

They are very hard-working dogs.

Determination is one of the most prominent characteristics of the American English Coonhound. When given ample opportunity to exercise and investigate their surroundings, American English Coonhounds thrive more.

The American English Coonhound's only passion is hunting. They are natural at locating raccoons, but it will take time and effort to train them to do anything else. Many people who love the American English Coonhound think you should purchase a different breed of dog if you don't plan to use it for hunting.

They can be laid-back when at home.

While American English Coonhounds may be laid-back in their own time, they are everything but when it comes to tracking or hunting down their ring-tailed prey.

Dogs of this breed may not be the best choice for first-time dog owners due to their high work drive and activity levels, the time and effort required to teach them for activities other than coon hunting, and their piercing, loud bark.

If an American English Coonhound is stuck inside for any length of time, it is likely to spend the time with a series of long naps and a relaxed demeanor befitting its name.

The American English Coonhound makes a fantastic house pet when it's not out hunting. It is vigilant and self-assured, with a calm, pleasant disposition. This breed is great around kids and is dedicated to its family.

These dogs are known for their nesting instinct.

Nesting instincts are highly developed in American English Coonhounds. If you have expensive taste in furnishings, you may need to keep your pet confined to one room of the house or an entirely different portion of the house.

The American English Coonhound will make himself at home anywhere he can, whether that's under your sheets, in your clean clothing, couch, bed, or your favorite chair.

The American English Coonhound is a relatively healthy breed.

The American English Coonhound is relatively healthy since it is still bred primarily as a working dog and hence must be in good physical shape. It is susceptible to bloat, a potentially fatal illness that affects dogs with deep chests and huge bodies. Owners should be aware of the symptoms of bloat and the appropriate response.

English Coonhounds, like most other dogs, have huge, floppy ears. These ears are susceptible to infection and inflammation if not kept clean. Keeping your dog's ears clean on a more regular basis will help you avoid this issue.

American English Coonhounds, like other dog breeds, are predisposed to specific medical conditions. When the ball and socket of the hip joint of a dog are misaligned, this is known as hip dysplasia. Because of the severity of this ailment, your dog will limp and have trouble moving around.

American English Coonhounds often suffer from elbow dysplasia as well. It's a condition where one or both of a dog's front elbows are malformed. The ailment causes the victim to limp or appear lame. Elbow dysplasia can be treated with either medication or surgery.

Cataracts are also a common problem in this dog breed. Cataracts manifest as cloudiness in the lens of one or both of a dog's eyes. This condition, which is frequent in senior dogs, can lead to either partial or complete blindness. In some cases, surgery may help with this issue.

They are quite a breeze to keep.

Your American English Coonhound's coat will look and feel better if it is well-nourished, but it still needs regular care and brushing. This short, tough, protective coat needs very little maintenance.

Trimming the nails once a month and washing them every four to six weeks can help keep the hair and skin in good condition and prevent any unpleasant dog odors. Once a week, you should check his ears and gently remove any wax or dirt.

If you groom your dog once a week, you'll likely notice any rashes or bald patches that could be caused by allergies. A regular grooming routine can also help strengthen the bond between the dog and its owner.

The American English Coonhound has high energy and needs daily exercise.

The American English Coonhound is a fantastic choice for a running, biking, or hiking buddy due to its boundless energy and desire to be a member of a pack. Keeping it healthy and content requires a significant amount of physical activity.

As a breed, American English Coonhounds are ideally suited to households with sizable, securely enclosed backyards where they may exercise their natural curiosity without being tethered.

It is not recommended that you live in an apartment or a home without a yard with this dog because of its high exercise requirements.

A daily workout regimen of 30-60 minutes is recommended. Lack of exercise might lead to destructive behavior in this dog, such as chewing on furniture or other household things.

These canines' natural inclination is to sniff out new places and follow hints, so make sure they know how to come back when called and that they are exercising in a secure environment. The game of fetch and chase is another favorite pastime of this breed.

They have a very strong prey drive.

Because of its high prey drive, this breed should never be trusted free leash in an open area where he could easily be enticed to chase after whatever catches his nose. He must have access to a secure yard. He can get into some good activity by chasing a ball around in his backyard.

Although American English Coonhounds need a lot of activity, they shouldn't be walked off-leash, played with as a ball, or let run around freely in the yard unless they're contained by a secure fence due to their high prey drive. They'll follow their noses, and that means they'll probably try to climb any fences that aren't at least 6 feet high, and maybe even dig beneath some of them.

These dogs need to be trained and socialized early.

Without consistent early socialization, your American English Coonhound puppy is more likely to develop possessive habits around food and toys. Successful socialization with a wide range of people and environments is essential for a dog's emotional and social development.

Many hounds, including English canines, have a dual nature; while they can be tenacious, relentless, and difficult on the trail, at home these ardent hunters can be lovely, agreeable friends.

The breed is ideal for seasoned dog owners due to their boundless prey drive and energy, the patience required to teach them for activities other than coon hunting, and their predisposition to bark in a loud, ringing voice.

You can teach your American English Coonhound anything with a lot of patience, positive reinforcement, and the ability to look on the bright side. Your American English Coonhound doesn't always pay attention to you because it gets sidetracked by anything that smells. They are not a breeze to train but they can still learn.

They need a well-balanced diet that complements their age, weight, and activity level.

A dog's diet, whatever it may be, ought to be age, weight, and activity level-appropriate. Keep in mind that a working dog's dietary needs are considerably different from those of a dog who leads a more sedentary lifestyle.

Be aware of how many calories your dog is consuming and its current weight, as coonhounds tend to gain weight as they get older. While treats have their place in training, too much can lead to weight gain and hinder progress.

Find out what kinds of human foods can be fed to your dog and what kinds can't. If you are worried about your dog's eating habits or weight, it is best to consult a veterinarian.

Depending on your dog's size, age, activity level, and metabolism, you can feed it twice a day. Make sure your puppy gets plenty of protein every day so it can grow up healthy and strong.

These dogs can climb trees.

Tree climbing is a special talent of the American English Coonhound. The job of the coonhound is to track and chase raccoons, and then run them up into a trap set by their human hunting partners.

They will sprint at a tree, jump as high as they can, and then use the nails on their front paws to climb the trunk up to a height of 10 feet, where they will either find a branch to stand on or slide back down to the ground.

The American English Coonhound is very communicative.

In addition to their distinctive appearance, these hounds are well known for their lively personality and engaging conversational skills. While not all canines do so, coonhounds frequently "talk" with their owners about what they want, such as attention, food, or some fun time outside.

The American English Coonhound, like other hounds, is a very loud dog. Most coonhounds are regular barkers, and the vast majority are also reliable howlers.

The American English Coonhound is quite sociable.

The American English Coonhound is a breed of dog that is recognized for its extreme sociability and the depth of the relationships it forms with its human family. Nonetheless, they have a mild demeanor when it comes to socializing and spending time with their loved ones.

Although American English Coonhounds are known for being obstinate and energetic, their warm, affectionate demeanor and charming personality make them ideal family dogs.

They are pack animals.

Common household pets and young children will get along well with these pack dogs. However, because of their need for constant human companionship, these dogs shouldn't be left alone for extended periods.

For the most part, English Coonhounds get along well with other dogs because of their social nature. When confined with other canines of the same species, they form social groups and engage in pack behaviors like hunting and play.

However, if they aren't properly socialized, they might become aggressive against smaller animals like cats when they are kept together. Until the dog is fully acclimated to a new household addition, such as a small pet or cat, you should keep them in different rooms.

The American English Coonhound has a remarkable sense of smell.

All coonhounds, but especially the American English Coonhound, are known for their keen sense of smell. This means that these dogs may follow a trail even after it has been abandoned and long after the animal or person responsible for leaving it has left the region.

This wasn't always the case, though, back in earlier decades. The Virginia Coonhound initially struggled to keep up with the odors of its prey. Because of this problem, the dog was substantially impaired in its ability to hunt. Breeders combined the Coonhound with the Bloodhound, a breed known for its superior sense of scent, to address this issue.

Overall, The American English Coonhound is a great choice if you want a dog that won't just be a cuddly pet but will also be a devoted and enthusiastic buddy on your hunting and camping expeditions. If properly socialized, this devoted dog is great around youngsters and other pets. Since this is a high-energy canine, you should also give it at least an hour of daily exercise. Bringing it along on a jog or a hike will be a good idea too. All coonhounds share an insatiable urge to explore new places, an eagerness to get their paws dirty in the field, and boundless reserves of energy. If you take on the challenge of keeping an American English Coonhound happy with regular exercise and mental stimulation, you can rest assured that you will never be bored. Ever!