American English Coonhound: Characteristics, Appearance, Price and Pictures
The American English Coonhound, sometimes called the Redtick Coonhound, is a sleek and athletic dog with adorably floppy ears and a short coat that can be an array of different colors. These loyal dogs work well in a group and are any raccoon hunter’s dream pooch. They’re swift, strong, and a very impressive breed to see on the tail of their prey.
They’re friendly with those they know and also make great companions canines for families and singles. There’s just one rule with an American English Coonhound – they need time outdoors and plenty of space to play and run in.
Think this dog breed could be the perfect one for you? There are a couple of things you need to know about these wonderful (but active dogs) before you adopt!
The History and Origin of the American English Coonhound
The American English Coonhound, as its name would suggest, is part American and part English. During the Colonial Era, European settlers brought many dog breeds with them to America. One of the favorites was the English Foxhound.
Early settlers saw how adept these dogs were at sniffing out, chasing, and capturing foxes that they wanted to breed a dog that could do the same with raccoons. It’s fair to say they certainly managed it with the American English Coonhound, they can even climb trees!
The English Fox Terriers were further bred with other local American dogs to create the large, sleeker, and even more athletic Coonhound. During this period, the raccoon fur and meat trade was booming which meant that these amazing raccoon hunters became very popular very quickly.
Nowadays, these pups are still a favorite amongst raccoon hunters and active families alike.
Although they’ve been around for centuries, these dogs were only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2011.
Personality and Character of the Redtick Coonhound
Like other Coonhounds, these pups are hardworking and have been bred to work well with humans and as part of a pack. They’re very sharp-witted, intelligent, and sweet dogs that put their job above all else.
They need lots of regular exercise and time spent outdoors honing their hunting skills and exploring their favorite places.
When these dogs get enough mental and physical activity, they can be surprisingly calm for an active hunting breed. They’ll be happy curling up at your feet or entertaining themselves.
Whilst perhaps not classified as lovey-dovey dogs, the American English Coonhound is very affectionate towards family members they love. They’re playful and very loyal to both furry and non-furry friends
Can the American English Coonhound Live in an Apartment?
American English Coonhounds are considered medium to large dogs (just like the Bluetick Coonhound) and they need lots of exercise. They’re not a great choice for apartment dwellers.
These dogs prefer to have a large backyard to play in and easy access to woods and fields. They like to run a lot and need outdoor stimulation to keep them mentally active. It would be much more difficult for them to get all their physical and mental well-being needs in an apartment.
Can the American English Coonhound Live with Children?
This coon hunting pup gets on well with children. In fact, children are great companions for these dogs because they love to play just as much as they do! Redtick Coonhounds aren’t particularly protective but they’ll certainly keep an eye on those they love.
As with most breeds, it’s really important to train and socialize a Coonhound correctly so that they learn what is acceptable play and what may be a bit too much. Likewise, kids need to be taught safe play with dogs.
Are They Aggressive Dogs?
American English Coonhounds are not naturally aggressive dogs. But, just like English Foxhounds, they can become possessive if they don’t get adequate training and socialization from a young age. This can lead to moments of aggression.
It’s always really important to give Coonhounds enough training, socialization, and affection so that they become well-rounded dogs that don’t resort to aggression.
Do They Get Along Well with Other Animals?
American English Coonhounds love working as a pack. Your pooch will get along really well with other dogs that have been socialized and easily fit in with established canine hierarchies.
But, because these dogs were originally bred to hunt raccoons, they do have a very strong prey drive. I’m sure if you were to ask a raccoon if they get along well with a Coonhound they’d say no. And the same goes for other smaller animals such as cats, gerbils, hamsters, and birds.
Appearance of the American English Coonhound
The American English Coonhound is a large and athletic dog breed with a muscular stature and a beautiful colored coat.
Size and Weight
These dogs can weigh up to 65 pounds and grow to be 26 inches tall. Males are usually larger than females.
How Long Does It Take for an American English Coonhound to Reach Adult Size?
Because they’re large, these dogs aren’t considered fully grown until they’re around 2 years old.
Colors
Although these dogs are most commonly red with ticking, they can be several other colors. These include tri-color, blue, brown, black, and red and white. Ticking is also an acceptable marking according to the AKC.
Coat
These pooches have a short, hard, and protective coat that protects them whilst out on a hunt.
Morphology
Coonhounds are typically athletic dogs with wide breastbones, strong backs, and floppy ears. According to the AKC, they should have a topline that’s a bit higher at the withers than the hips.
Eyes
Eyes should be dark brown and set fairly far apart. Drooping eyelids are considered a fault for this breed.
Head
A Coonhound’s head is broad and moderately long with a very slight dome. It should be broad between the ears but not completely flat.
Tail
American English Coonhounds have a medium-length tail that should be held in a cheerful, upright way. It can be slightly bushy but never plumed or rat-like.
Grooming and Hygiene of the American English Coonhound
American English Coonhounds usually have short, thick, and sleek coats which protect them from undergrowth and weather when out on a hunt (some dogs may have a medium-length coat). These pups don’t need a huge amount of grooming but they will need a weekly brush to keep their coats clean, sleek, and as they should be.
Nutrition can also greatly impact the quality and shine of your Coonhound’s coat. So be sure to feed them high-quality dog food.
As is common with many hound dogs, it’s really important to regularly clean your Coonhound’s ears to prevent infection. If your pup goes swimming or after a bath, make sure you dry their ears thoroughly too.
How to brush an American English Coonhound?
These dogs are moderate shedders, which means a weekly brush is enough to keep fur off your furniture. The best way to brush your Coonhound is in long smooth strokes starting at the base of its neck and going to the base of its tail.
Never brush the coat in the opposite direction to growth as this can pull the hair and may be uncomfortable for your pup.
What Brush for an American English Coonhound?
The best brush to get your American English Coonhound is a bristle brush, a pin brush, or a slicker brush. You’ll probably find that there’s one that works best for you and your pup depending on their unique coat type.
How Do You Wash an American English Coonhound?
These dogs are considered a large breed, so it may be best for you to wash them in your backyard on a nice day. It’s easiest for you if you can tie them to a tree or something else that’s fixed as you’ll need both your hands to wash an American English Coonhound.
You only need to wash a Coonhound when they’re particularly dirty or if they’ve rolled in something. You’ll probably find that this is every couple of months or so.
Make sure you get a shampoo that’s suitable for short or medium-length coats (depending on your pooch). Wet your pup with warm water and apply a small amount of shampoo to their coat. Massage in the shampoo all over, not forgetting their toes and belly. Rinse well and apply conditioner if using.
Once rinsed out, make sure you dry your pup really well. Pups left to air dry may develop skin infections or irritations.
Is It a Hypoallergenic Dog?
These pups are not considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. They shed moderately and are not a good choice for people that suffer from allergies.
Redtick Coonhound Training and Education
These pups won’t need much training when it comes to hunting. They’re experts at it. But this can make other areas of training complicated as they’re not that interested in learning anything that’s not hunting-related.
That’s one of the reasons why Coonhounds do best with experienced dog owners.
Redtick Coonhounds can be food motivated, though, which can really help with training sessions. They’re intelligent and understand that they’ll get rewarded for good behavior. Try to keep training short and interesting with lots of positive reinforcement. These dogs like spending time with their owners, so they’ll initially be eager to please you – but they will get easily distracted!
What Is The Price of an American English Coonhound?
The exact price of your Coonhound will depend on where you live and the demand in the area. Some colors, such as red-ticked, may also be more popular and therefore more expensive.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $850 – $1500 for an American English Coonhound.
With any dog breed, it’s a great idea to look in your local pound or contact rescue groups. Not only will it be much cheaper, but you’ll also be offering a pooch a second loving home.
American English Coonhound Feeding
American English Coonhounds need a nutrition-rich diet that has enough calories for an active and hard-working pup. If possible, it’s best to feed them high-quality dog food specifically for large dog breeds.
These dogs can easily put on weight if they’re eating too many calories or aren’t getting enough daily exercise. Contact your vet or a local canine nutritionist if you’re not sure how much your pup should be eating and when.
American English Coonhound Health
These amazing sporting dogs are usually healthy. Like any breed, however, they can suffer from some health conditions common in large, hunting pups.
Common Diseases
It’s important that owners familiarize themselves with the signs of these conditions, especially bloat as that can quickly become fatal.
- Bloat
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Cataracts
Breeders should regularly test their stock for hip and elbow dysplasia. You should ask for these tests when adopting a puppy so you know you’re getting a happy and healthy dog.
With Coonhounds and other dogs with large, floppy ears, it’s really important to clean their ears regularly and remove any wax or debris. Their ears can easily get infected if not washed and dried.
What Is The Life Expectancy of the Redtick Coonhound?
The Redtick Coonhound is a healthy breed and should live to be 11-12 years old.
What Is The Best Climate for An American English Coonhound?
These dogs are adaptable and tolerate both cold and hot temperatures. Some American Coonhounds even make good mountain dogs.
With any breed, it’s crucial to monitor them in extreme weather. Make sure your dog has plenty of fresh water in hot weather, and take them out in the coolest moments of the day.
Breeds Similar to American English Coonhound
If you don’t think an American English Coonhound is the breed for you (for whatever reason!) you could always go for a different pup. These ones are all relatively similar either in appearance or personality, or both!
- Bluetick Coonhound. These pups are very similar in size and morphology to Redticks but with one big difference – their ticks are blue!
- Redbone Coonhound. The Redbone is a fearless hunter that has been used to catch large game such as boar, deer, and bears
- Plott Hound. The Plott Hound is North Carolina’s state dog. They’re relatively uncommon dogs (outside of the state) but they’re amazing hunters.
- American Foxhound. These dogs have a similar temperament to the Redtick Coonhound as well as a beautiful red and white coat.
- Basset Hound. These pups are much shorter than the Coonhound, but they do have similar coloring and hound tendencies. They’re not as active though, in fact, you’ll have to persuade a Basset to move at all!
Conclusion
The American English Coonhound is a wonderful and active sporting pup used primarily to hunt raccoons. They need lots of space to run around in and an experienced owner that can keep up with them.
They work well with other dogs and get along with kids too. Although not considered hypoallergenic, they don’t have big grooming needs either. If you’re looking for a pup to accompany you on long hikes or hunts, the American English Coonhound could be the one!
Don’t think this breed is for you? Why not take our fun quiz to find the perfect pooch?
