Description

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a breed of hunting dog. Developed in the United States from crosses between the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound, this scent hound runs its game entirely by scent and is used primarily for coon hunting.

According to the FCI breed standard Black and Tan Coonhound males should be 25–27 inches (64–69 cm) in height with females slightly smaller at 23–25 inches (58–64 cm) although it does not specify a weight range. The United Kennel Club does however include guideline weights of males 50–75 pounds (23–34 kg) with females ranging from 40–65 pounds (18–29 kg). The height proportions quoted by the UKC differ from the FCI and allow males to be 23–27 inches (58–69 cm) and females 21–26 inches (53–66 cm). The coat is short, dense and glossy.

The eyes are hazel to brown, the ears are extremely long, wide, and thin, are set low and far back on the dog's head, and hang well down the neck. The black and tan markings are similar to the Doberman's and the Rottweiler's. The Black and Tan Coonhound's bark is loud and baying; it has been described as a deep howl. The breed standard includes muscular legs that are long in proportion to body length. The tail is set slightly below the natural line of the back. If the dog is alert or excited it carries its tail at a right angle. Males are usually larger and heavier than females.

Group

Hound Group

Country Of Origin

USA

Size

 

Color

 

Coat

The coat is glossy, short and dense with a black background highlighted by rich tan markings. This includes a small pumpkin seed sized tan marking above each eye. Any white except a tiny patch of less than 1" (2.5 cm) is a disqualification.

Grooming

 

Life Expectancy

 

AKC Group

 

UKC Group

Scenthound

Height

• Female 23-25" (58.5-63.5 cm)
• Male 25-27" (63.5-68.5 cm)

Weight

• Female 40–65 lb (18–29 kg)
• Male 50–75 lb (23–34 kg)

 

Use Today

Hunting

Points Of Conformation

An athletic hound with long smooth gait, and moderate musculature and bone, the males are more heavily built. The head is about 9" (23 cm) long, expression is alert, nose is black colored. The flews are well developed. Eyes are brown to hazel, and round. Ears are set low on the head, and are very long and pendulous. They have a medium stop. The neck is medium in length and thickness, and topline is level, the thorax deep and ribs well sprung. The thick tapering tail is carried up when on scent. Feet are compact, and the toes well knuckled up with black nails. The limbs are straight boned.

Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits

Reported breed traits include: Friendly, though some individuals are reserved, watchful, and obedient. Noted to be very intelligent, with an independent streak, and when off leash, need to be restricted to a fenced enclosure. They have high exercise needs, though exhibit low activity levels around the home. Low grooming needs, and a high drooling tendency also characterizes the breed.

Inherited Diseases

Hip Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA reports 14.9% affected.

Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow arthritis. OFA reports 1.6% affected.

Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Too few Black and Tan Coonhounds have been screened by OFA to determine an accurate frequency.

Hemophilia B (Factor IX Deficiency): Rare, X-linked recessive coagulation disorder causing severe bleeding in this breed.

Disease Predispositions

Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 10.0% positive for thyroid auto-antibodies based on testing at Michigan State University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%).

Coonhound Paralysis (Polyradiculoneuritis): Disorder of acute paralysis due to transient demyelination, similar to Guillain-BarrР№ syndrome. Caused by exposure to raccoon saliva in genetically susceptible dogs. Affected dogs can recover, but must be supported during remyelinization.

Retinal Dysplasia: Focal folds are seen in the breed. Identified in 6.02% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.

Cataracts: Anterior cataracts predominate, although anterior, nuclear, and capsular cataracts also occur in the breed. Unknown mode of inheritance. Identified in 4.22% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005. CERF does not recommend breeding any Black and Tan Coonhound with a cataract.

Persistent Pupillary Membranes: Strands of fetal remnant connecting; iris to iris, cornea, lens, or involving sheets of tissue. The later three forms can impair vision, and dogs affected with these forms should not be bred. Identified in 3.01% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.

Ectropion: Rolling out of eyelids, often with a medial canthal pocket. Can also cause conjunctivitis. Ectropion is reported in 1.91% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 1991-1999. None were reported between 2000-2005.

Entropion: Rolling in of eyelids, often causing corneal irritation or ulceration. Entropion is reported in 1.91% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 1991-1999. None were reported between 2000-2005.

Distichiasis: Abnormally placed eyelashes that irritate the cornea and conjunctiva. Can cause secondary corneal ulceration. Identified in 1.20% of Black and Tan Coonhounds CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): Inherited degeneration of the retina leading to blindness. Clinically evident by 2 years of age. There may be more than one form of PRA in the breed. Unknown mode of inheritance.
Cryptorchidism, Gastric Dilatation-volvulus, and Pelger-Huet Anomaly are reported.

Isolated Case Studies

Disseminated Melanoma: An 11-year-old, Black and Tan Coonhound presented with lameness and osteolysis in the right distal femur and a pulmonary mass. Neoplastic melanocytes were observed from aspirates of the femoral and pulmonary masses. Postmortem examination revealed a disseminated melanoma involving the right femoral bone marrow, lung, multiple lymph nodes, and adrenal gland, with diffuse infiltration of the leptomeninges of the brain and spinal cord.

Genetic Tests

Tests of Phenotype: CHIC certification: Required testing includes hip radiographs, CERF eye examination, and congenital cardiac evaluation. Optional testing includes elbow radiographs and thyroid profile including autoantibodies. (See CHIC website; www. caninehealthinfo.org). Recommend patella evaluation.

Miscellaneous