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AKC: Black and Tan Coonhound breed overview

Hound group · United States

Black and Tan Coonhound

Also called American Black and Tan Coonhound, Black and Tan

Mellow and sociable on the sofa, but outdoors a single raccoon scent turns it into a baying tracker.

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an American scent hound bred to track raccoons at night, following old trails and baying loudly once the quarry is up a tree. Indoors it is easygoing, gentle and friendly with nearly everyone. Outdoors its nose and voice take charge, so secure fencing, lead walks and some thought for the neighbors are part of owning one.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

25 to 45 kg

55 to 99 lb

Height

58 to 69 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 12 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

20 months

approximate model input

Life with a Black and Tan Coonhound

Coonhound owners often describe living with two different dogs. One is sprawled across the sofa, snoring gently and happy to be ignored. The other is at the end of a lead, nose down, having just found where a raccoon crossed the path an hour ago. Indoors the Black and Tan is gentle, patient and undemanding; outside it is a determined, vocal tracker with a nose that is very hard to switch off.

The breed took shape in the American South and the Appalachian mountains, where hunters wanted a hound that could follow the faint, old scent of a raccoon through woods at night, then stand at the foot of the tree and bay once the animal climbed. It is often said to descend from Bloodhounds and early American foxhounds, possibly with older hounds brought over by colonists in the mix. In 1945 it became the first coonhound breed recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Temperament is friendly and sociable. Having been hunted in pairs and packs, most Black and Tans get along well with other dogs, and they are usually gentle with children. They are not guard dogs in any real sense, though a visitor will certainly be announced with a deep bawl. Many are sensitive souls that sulk if handled roughly.

Everyday life with one involves drool, weekly ear care, a distinct hound smell and, above all, sound. That voice was bred to carry across a valley, and it does.

What stands out

Training

Black and Tans are intelligent but independent, bred to solve a trail without any help from a handler. Patient, reward-based training with really good food works best. Keep sessions short and fun, and expect to repeat lessons more often than you would with a retriever or a herding breed.

Read the full training guide

Easy to train

Open with strangers

Good with other dogs

A great match for

people who enjoy hiking and long walks
homes with other dogs
rural homes with secure fencing
owners who like a laid-back dog indoors

Think twice if

loud baying and howling
a powerful urge to follow scent and ignore recall
can escape poorly fenced gardens
ear infections linked to the long ears
slow to mature and harder to train than many breeds

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much a Black and Tan Coonhound eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	32 kg	1300 kcal	350 g (3.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	32 kg	1490 kcal	400 g (4 cups)
Male, typical pet	38 kg	1700 kcal	460 g (4.5 cups)
Male, very active	38 kg	2120 kcal	575 g (5.8 cups)

Full Black and Tan Coonhound feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Black and Tan Coonhound

Feeding25 cups, split into two meals. Hounds that hunt through the season may need noticeably more, while pets that mostly walk on a lead often need less.Read more Puppy growthBlack and Tan puppies shoot up in height and ear length, reaching adult height at around 12 months. Filling out and mental maturity take longer, often until 18 to 24 months, and many stay silly and playful through the whole second year.Read more ExerciseAdults need about 60 minutes of exercise a day, ideally as a couple of long walks with plenty of time to sniff. They enjoy hiking, trailing games, scentwork and man-trailing, and many take part in organized coonhound events.Read more GroomingThe short, dense coat is about as easy as coats get. Go over it once a week with a rubber mitt or hound glove to remove loose hair and spread skin oils.Read more HealthBlack and Tans are generally robust, but known issues include hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, eyelid problems, bloat and low thyroid function. Responsible breeders X-ray hips and elbows, have eyes examined, and are open about any health problems in their lines.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1The first coonhound breed recognized by the American Kennel Club, in 1945
2Often said to descend from Bloodhounds and early American foxhounds
3Known as a cold-nosed hound, able to follow trails that are hours old
4Has a deep, bawling bay that carries a long way on a still night
5The long, low-set ears can reach past the tip of the nose when drawn forward

Black and Tan Coonhound questions

Are Black and Tan Coonhounds loud?

Yes. They have a deep, bawling bay that carries a long way, and they use it when tracking, when excited or when bored. Training can reduce nuisance noise, but it will not remove the voice entirely. They suit rural homes or neighborhoods with understanding neighbors far better than apartments or tightly packed terraced streets.

Can a Black and Tan Coonhound be trusted off leash?

Rarely. Once a coonhound picks up a scent it tends to follow it single-mindedly, sometimes for kilometers, and may not respond to recall at all. Use a long line in open areas and let the dog run free only in securely fenced spaces. Many owners use scentwork or tracking classes to give the nose a safe outlet.

How is a Black and Tan different from a Bloodhound?

Both are large scent hounds with long ears and deep voices, but the Black and Tan is lighter, less wrinkled and quicker, built to trail raccoons through woods at night. The Bloodhound is heavier and droolier, with much looser skin, and is best known for following human trails. Black and Tans come only in black with tan markings.

Are Black and Tan Coonhounds good with cats?

Some live peacefully with cats they have grown up with, but many have a strong urge to chase small animals that run, especially outdoors. Introduce any cat slowly, supervise early meetings, and make sure the cat has high escape routes. Neighborhood cats and wildlife in the garden may always be seen as fair game.

Do Black and Tan Coonhounds drool?

Moderately. The loose lips drip after drinking and when food is around, though usually less than a Bloodhound or a mastiff. Keep a towel near the water bowl, wipe the lips after meals, and clean any folds regularly to prevent smell. A sudden jump in drooling, especially with pawing at the mouth, is worth a vet check.

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