The American English Coonhound is known to be a friendly and loving breed. They tend to get along very well with their friends, human or canine. They are also extremely energetic and smart, making them natural-born trackers.
The English Coonhound is naturally friendly and loyal, making them an ideal family dog for anyone who wants to spend some time getting to know the breed first.
History
The American English Coonhound’s ancestry can be traced back to the Talbot Hound, which accompanied William the Conqueror when he traveled from Normandy to England in 1066.
True to form, the American English Coonhound has a high prey drive; if it catches sight of a squirrel or rabbit, you can expect it to take off at top speed.
These dogs also have infectious energy and will happily run alongside their favorite person for hours on end—and then probably ask for another lap around the block.
Breed Traits & Characteristics
- The American English Coonhound is a medium-sized dog that ranks high in both energy and enthusiasm.
- This breed has only been around since the early 1900s, when it was developed by hunters in the Southern United States to track raccoons.
- The dogs are happy, healthy, and easy-going with loving families.
- These traits make the American English Coonhound an excellent choice for families who enjoy spending time together outdoors or hiking through the countryside.
Health
While this may seem like a small detail, it’s actually critical. Many people think their dog has free rein throughout their entire apartment, but they’re wrong!
If your dog is allowed to walk around freely as much as possible, they will know every single place that isn’t a bathroom or kitchen and know not to go there!
This saves a lot of trouble later on down the line because you won’t have to clean up after them and avoid other people from stepping in poops or accidentally swallowing something disgusting from them. Another reason why dogs are great for apartments is that they’re super cute.
Anyone who lives with you can see how cute your dog is and how big his nose looks in comparison to his butt (the size of his butt is critical). Not only that, but he loves looking at himself in the mirror and will jump up on your desk and lick his face all day long (this also makes him cute).
In conclusion, dogs make incredible pets because they love looking at themselves in the mirror all day long which makes them adorable and when someone sees him walking past their apartment window which makes him even more adorable!
Adaptability
The American English Coonhound will do fine in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. It is moderately active indoors and a small yard will suit it well.
You might want to consider having a large fenced-in yard for your American English Coonhound to run off-leash, or at least having access to a safe area where he can get his running exercise. Make sure that the fence is high enough that he won’t get out!
Temperament
Temperament is affected by several factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them.
The American English Coonhound is a friendly, confident dog. It’s also a good watchdog and protective of its family. The breed is social, but it doesn’t like to be left alone. The American English Coonhound is an energetic dog that needs plenty of exercise.
Food / Diet
When it comes to feeding your American English Coonhound, be sure to use food that was specifically designed for large breed dogs. Because of the breed’s tendency to put on weight easily, you will also want to avoid foods with a high fat content.
The ideal food for your American English Coonhound is one that has been designed specifically for their size and energy levels. This will ensure that they get all the nutrients they require without gaining too much excess weight or developing obesity-related conditions such as arthritis or diabetes.
If you’re unsure which type of food is right for your dog, ask your vet or breeder what they recommend feeding their pups when they first come home with them at eight weeks old (this usually happens between nine weeks). Choosing the right food for this breed may take some trial and error, but once you find something that works well, then stick with it!
Training
- If you’re a first-time dog owner, the Coonhound is not for you.
- These dogs can be difficult to train because they’re stubborn and independent.
- They require an experienced dog owner who will establish clear rules and boundaries, as well as show consistent leadership.
- Coonhounds are highly intelligent dogs and require early socialization and obedience training to bring out the best in them.
- They require firm, consistent training and a confident owner who has experience with hunting breeds.
Height and Weight
While many people still think of the English Coonhound as being quite a large breed, their weight is actually more moderate than most other hunting breeds.
Male American English Coonhounds weigh between 55 and 80 pounds, with females averaging 40 to 65 pounds and standing 20 to 26 inches tall.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of an American English Coonhound is 11-12 years. Large breed dogs are more prone to certain illnesses and conditions, so it’s good to be aware of common health problems affecting English Coonhounds.
Here they are:
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Elbow dysplasia
- Cushings disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
If you’ve read this far, it means you must have an American English Coonhound in your life. So, what can you do to make sure that your little monkey enjoys a long, happy and healthy life? Here are some tips:
- Keep your dog slim and fit. Don’t let extra weight build up on the body — obesity increases the risk of hip dysplasia, bone cancer and arthritis. You can check with a veterinarian if you’re unsure about whether your pup is at a healthy weight or not.
- Get them moving! Exercise will keep muscles strong for jumping into the car for road trips or dashing around the backyard hunting raccoons. Stick with low-impact activities like swimming or walking to prevent joint injury as they age.
- It’s important to keep their teeth clean because bad oral health can lead to serious medical issues later in life, such as heart disease or diabetes mellitus. If you’re afraid of brushing their teeth yourself — I don’t blame you! — try giving them dental chews or bones instead, since these products work by scraping off plaque from the inside of their mouth as they chew on it.
Coat
The American English Coonhound needs little coat care. It is a short-haired dog that sheds only occasionally. Some brushing occasionally to remove dead hair will keep the coat looking its best, but be sure to use the right brush for your American English Coonhound’s coat type.
Most American English Coonhounds will need to be brushed once a week with a firm bristle brush, though some may need it done more often in the spring and fall during shedding season. In addition to brushing, you should bathe your American English Coonhound as needed using a dog shampoo made specifically for canines.
Grooming
Grooming the English Coonhound is easy. A weekly brushing session should suffice, with a bath if he gets too dirty or smelly. If he’s been hunting, you may have to brush him more typically.
Keep an eye on his nails and trim them when they get too long. The same goes for his teeth – brush them at least twice a week with a vet-approved pet toothpaste.
Physical Needs
With their roots in hound hunting, American English Coonhounds thrive on daily exercise. They will be happy with long walks or vigorous play sessions. This is an active breed that should have access to a large, fenced yard where they can run freely every day.
While this breed may need fewer calories than other similarly sized dogs, he still needs adequate food portions to provide him with the energy needed for his active lifestyle.
What To Expect When Caring For an American English Coonhound?
Like most hound breeds, the American English Coonhound is a dog with many personalities. Even though we all have some experience with these dogs, even if it’s just from owning one at one time or another, there are some things you should know about them before you pick up that puppy.
The American English Coonhound was bred primarily as a hunting dog. They have a strong prey drive that must be worked into their training early on; otherwise they will take off searching for game in ways that can be dangerous for both the dog and its owners.
This breed tends to bond closely to its family members, but they normally don’t do well as single pets due to their need for people interaction throughout the day.
Conclusion
The American English Coonhound is a nice choice for many people. They tend to be energetic and fun-loving. Many people who have cats find that the Coonhound can get along well with their cat as long as the proper introduction has been made. The English Coonhound will sometimes be stubborn, but it tends to be fairly easy-going.
