American Coonhound

Canis lupus

Last updated: January 24, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Heather Barrett/Shutterstock.com

American coonhounds have the skills to climb trees while pursuing a raccoon or other animal.


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American Coonhound Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

American Coonhound Conservation Status

American Coonhound Locations

American Coonhound Locations

American Coonhound Facts

Fun Fact
American coonhounds have the skills to climb trees while pursuing a raccoon or other animal.
Distinctive Feature
Long ears and strong, muscular legs
Temperament
Sweet and even-tempered
Training
Medium
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
7
Type
Working
Common Name
American Coonhound
Slogan
Easygoing and people-friendly!
Group
Dog

American Coonhound Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Black
  • White
  • Tan
Skin Type
Hair
Lifespan
12 years

American Coonhound as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
High
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
Moderate
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$1100
Dog group
Hound
Male weight
45-65 lbs
Female weight
45-65 lbs

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An American Coonhound, also called an American English Coonhound, is a dog with a laidback personality. If this breed is properly socialized, it makes a great dog for a family with (or without) children. They have a lifespan of up to 12 years.

This breed dates back to early 19th century England. They are descendants of English foxhounds.

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English foxhounds were bred with other hounds bringing about the American Coonhound. This breed is known for its ability to track down raccoons in woods or fields. These dogs have a cold nose which means they can detect a scent on a trail that has gone cold.

When they’re on the trail these are smart, high-energy dogs with singular determination. At home, they are sweet, calm companions.

3 Pros and Cons of American Coonhounds

Close-up Portrait of an American Coonhound

This breed makes for a good family dog due to its affectionate, sweet personality.



©richard pross/Shutterstock.com

Pros!Cons!
A sweet personality
This breed makes for a good family dog due to its affectionate, sweet personality.
A high-energy dog
American English Coonhounds are high-energy and need 30 to 60 minutes of running exercise each day. Exercise helps with their physical and mental well-being.
An easy grooming routine
These hounds have a simple grooming routine consisting of weekly brushing with a soft bristle brush or a grooming glove.
A loud bark/howl
These hounds have a loud bark that makes them effective watchdogs, but their loud voice may disturb neighbors.
A good watchdog
The loud bark of this breed is more than enough to alert a family of someone on the property.
A prey instinct
These dogs were bred to pursue small animals such as raccoons. A coonhound that’s not properly socialized may mistake a family pet such as a rabbit or bird for prey. Socialization is key.

Evolution and Origins

The American Coonhound is a breed of dog that was developed in the United States and was a combination of English Foxhounds, Bloodhounds, and other hunting breeds. The breed was developed to hunt raccoons and other small mammals. They also served as general-purpose hunting dogs.

Health and Entertainment for your American Coonhound

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The American Coonhound is thought to have originated in the colonial era when settlers in the American colonies brought over Foxhounds and Bloodhounds from Europe to hunt game. These dogs were then crossbred with other hunting breeds. These other hunting breeds included the Black and Tan Coonhound, the Virginia Hound, and the Cur dog.

Over time, American Coonhounds were selectively bred to improve their hunting abilities and endurance. They were also used to hunt other animals such as bears and deer. The breed was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1905 and by the American Kennel Club in 2011 under the Hound Group.

Today, American Coonhounds are still used for hunting, but they are also kept as family pets and are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. They make great companions for active families and individuals who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and camping.

Size and Weight

An American English Coonhound resting on the grass at Southpointe Park in Miami Beach,Florida

The American English Coonhound is medium to large in size.

©richard pross/Shutterstock.com

The American English Coonhound is medium to large in size. A male can grow to be 26 inches tall at the shoulder while a female can reach 25 inches tall. Males and females can weigh as much as 65 pounds. American English Coonhound puppies weigh 7 to 8 pounds at 7 weeks old. They aren’t considered fully grown until they are 2 years old.

Height (Male)26 inches tall
Height (Female)25 inches tall
Weight (Male)65 pounds, fully grown
Weight (Female)65 pounds, fully grown

Common Health Issues

American coonhound sitting on grass

American English Coonhounds are prone to certain health issues.

©Heather Barrett/Shutterstock.com

As with most dog breeds, American English Coonhounds are prone to certain health issues. One of those is hip dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the ball and socket of a dog’s hip joint are out of alignment. A dog with this condition is going to limp and otherwise have limited movement. This is a genetic illness that can be aggravated by environmental conditions.

Elbow dysplasia is another common health issue of American English Coonhounds. It is the malformation of a dog’s elbow in either or both of its front legs. Limping and lameness are symptoms of this condition. Medication or surgery can be solutions to elbow dysplasia.

This dog breed is also prone to cataracts. A sign of cataracts is a cloudiness in the lens of one or both of a dog’s eyes. This is common in older dogs and can cause partial or total blindness. Surgery can be a solution to this condition.

In conclusion, some common health issues of American English Coonhounds include:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Cataracts

Temperament

American English Coonhounds have a sweet personalities and loyal behavior.

©Esturcke / CC BY-SA 3.0, from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository – License

American English Coonhounds have a sweet personalities and loyal behavior. When this dog has been properly socialized from an early age it gets along well with children and other dogs.

One of the most significant traits of its personality is determination. These dogs were bred to track down the scent of raccoons and corner them in trees. Finding a scent and following it to the end of the trail takes focus and determination.

American English Coonhounds that are given lots of time and space to run and explore their environment are happy, healthy dogs!

How to Take Care of an American Coonhound

Owners who learn all about the diet, grooming, and exercise requirements of an American Coonhound will have all the tools they need to excellent care for their pet. Whether it’s a puppy or an adult dog, considering this breed’s common health issues can be helpful in determining its daily care.

The Best Dog Food for American Coonhounds

Establishing a nutritious diet for an American Coonhound can help to prevent common health issues. Of course, puppies and adult dogs need different types and amounts of nutrients to stay healthy. Check out some important considerations:

American Coonhound puppy food: A high-quality puppy food with protein in the form of meats and vegetables that builds growing muscles and strong bones. Protein is an essential ingredient in fighting against hip dysplasia as well as elbow dysplasia.

Vitamin C contributes to healthy eyes and vision which can be useful in preventing cataracts. Omega 3 fatty acids support heart health. A limited amount of fat gives puppies energy while helping them to maintain a normal weight. A puppy should be given 1 to 2 cups of food twice a day.

American Coonhound adult dog food: An adult American English Coonhound needs high-quality food with protein in the form of meat like a chicken. Protein in an adult dog’s diet continues to combat conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids contribute to a healthy coat. Food containing antioxidants helps prevent and fight illness.

A limited amount of fat in an adult dog’s diet supplies energy without adding excess weight to its athletic frame. Vitamins A and C support continued eye health in this breed. Adult dogs should receive 2 to 3 cups of food three times per day. Of course, this can be varied if a dog is not as active.

Making water available at all times to your adult dog or puppy contributes to their proper digestion.

In our opinion at A-Z Animals, the best dog food for American Coonhounds is Stella & Chewy’s Wild Red Dry Dog Food Raw Blend High Protein Wholesome Grains Prairie Recipe.

This protein-rich dog food has enough real chicken and turkey to satisfy dogs like American Coonhounds that are bred to spend long hours doing hard work. There’s crucial taurine that keeps their heart ticking and nourishes their eyes for clear vision.

Since this recipe uses high-quality meat protein sources, there’s enough calcium to grow strong bones and cartilage with copper for the connective tissues in American Coonhounds’ hip and elbow function.

American Coonhound owners can find Stella and Chewy’s Wild Red Raw Blend High Protein Dry Dog Food on Chewy or Amazon.

Stella & Chewy Wild Red Raw Blend Prairie Recipe Dry Dog Food
  • Packed full of protein with beef, pork, and lamb.
  • 81% of its yummy protein is from actual animal sources!
  • Recipe uses “whole prey” ingredients, including muscle meat, organ meat, and cartilage.
  • Doesn’t contain fillers, artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives.


Check Chewy Check Amazon

Maintenance and Grooming

How much do American Coonhounds shed? These dogs shed an average amount of hair. A weekly grooming routine can help to decrease the amount of hair on the furniture and keep the dog’s coat looking shiny.

A grooming glove is helpful in removing dead hair and stirring up natural oils that make a dog’s coat shine. A brush with soft boar’s hair bristles is another helpful grooming tool that smooths this dog’s coat.

The best way to groom an American Coonhound is to start at its head and work with the flow of its hair toward its tail.

Grooming a dog weekly allows an owner the opportunity to notice skin irritations and bald spots that may be a sign of allergies. In addition, a grooming routine can build even more trust between this dog and its owner.

Training

These dogs are intelligent, determined, and fairly easy to put through obedience training. However, they can be distracted by scents of animals and other things in the area. A lot of patience along with words of praise as well as favored treats all combine to help this hound dog learn all its lessons in a training session.

Exercise

American Coonhounds have a lot of energy. They need from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. Exercise contributes to their physical health and mental health. If this dog doesn’t get enough exercise it can start to chew on items in the home and otherwise become destructive.

The best exercise for this dog is running. These dogs love to chase down scents and explore their environment. It’s important to ensure they are running in a safe area and are trained to return when called. Also, they like to play fetch and chase!

These dogs aren’t appropriate dogs for an apartment dweller. This is a dog that needs a lot of space to move around and stretch its legs. A family with a lot of fenced-in property or perhaps a farm would be ideal for this dog.

This breed is easier to train than a beagle. Though both breeds have sensitive noses, it can be more difficult to get and keep a beagle’s attention during obedience training.

Puppies

A puppy is a cute, playful bundle of joy! But keep in mind that these puppies are very active and need a safe area to roam around in. Also, keep in mind, this puppy has the loud barking and howling that’s characteristic of coonhounds.

American Coonhounds and Children

These Coonhounds are known for their sweet personality and loyalty. They are good with children of all ages. As a note, these dogs are highly energetic so it’s necessary to monitor their interactions with very small children. A playful American Coonhound may bump into a small child accidentally knocking him or her down in all the excitement.

Dogs Similar to American Coonhounds

Dog breeds similar to the American Coonhound include the American Foxhound, Basenji, and beagle.

  • American Foxhound – American Foxhounds are very similar in height and weight to American Coonhounds. One difference is American Coonhounds are easier to train.
  • Basenji – Basenjis and American Coonhounds are both highly energetic dogs. In terms of size, Basenjis are shorter and weigh less than American Coonhounds.
  • Beagle – Both of these dogs have a loyal temperament and a resonating bark! American Coonhounds are taller and weigh more than beagles.

Popular names for these dogs include:

  • Barney
  • Huckleberry
  • Jethro
  • Rusty
  • Daisy
  • Gracie
  • Xena
  • Darby

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About the Author

Rebecca is an experienced Professional Freelancer with nearly a decade of expertise in writing SEO Content, Digital Illustrations, and Graphic Design. When not engrossed in her creative endeavors, Rebecca dedicates her time to cycling and filming her nature adventures. When not focused on her passion for creating and crafting optimized materials, she harbors a deep fascination and love for cats, jumping spiders, and pet rats.

American Coonhound FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are American Coonhounds herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

American Coonhounds are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the family Canidae.

What order do American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the order Carnivora.

What type of covering do American Coonhounds have?

American Coonhounds are covered in hair.

What genus do American Coonhounds belong to?

American Coonhounds belong to the genus Canis.

What are some distinguishing features of American Coonhounds?

American Coonhounds have long ears and strong, muscular legs.

How many babies do American Coonhounds have?

The average number of babies an American Coonhound has is 7.

What is an interesting fact about American Coonhounds?

American Coonhounds are easygoing and people-friendly!

What is the scientific name for the American Coonhound?

The scientific name for the American Coonhound is Canis lupus.

How much do American Coonhounds cost?

This dog costs an average of $1100 from a breeder. The veterinary costs of this breed range from $100 to $300 per year depending on what services are needed.

Food costs of this dog range from $100 to $150 per month depending on what brand an owner goes with.

How tall is an American English Coonhound?

A male American Coonhound can grow as tall as 26 inches at the shoulder whereas a female can grow to 25 inches tall.

What is the lifespan of American Coonhounds?

The lifespan of an American Coonhound goes up to 12 years.

Do American English Coonhounds shed?

Yes, these dogs do shed an average amount of hair.

How much do American English Coonhounds eat?

Adult American English Coonhounds eat 2 to 3 cups of nutritious dry dog food 3 times per day. Of course, the dog should get enough exercise to burn off the calories it eats.

Are American Coonhounds good with kids?

The sweet, loyal temperament of an American English Coonhound makes it a good dog for a family with kids. In fact, it’s likely to become an irreplaceable member of the family!

What are the differences between Bloodhounds and Coonhounds?

The main differences between bloodhounds and coonhounds are size, color, build, and their main uses. Bloodhounds are much heavier than coonhounds and have a heavier build. They also have wrinkled skin on their neck while coonhounds don’t. However, coonhounds have a much wider variety of colors than bloodhounds which are limited to three colors.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. American Kennel Club, Available here: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-english-coonhound/
  2. The Happy Puppy Site, Available here: https://thehappypuppysite.com/american-english-coonhound/

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