Treeing Walker Coonhound

Loving and confident, Treeing Walker Coonhounds enjoy spending time with humans. Also known as Walkers, they make good house pets but are work-oriented and require something to keep them busy if they are not going out on hunts. Without an outlet for their energy, Walkers can become restless and destructive. Primarily bred to hunt raccoons, the Treeing Walker Coonhound can hunt on its own or as part of a pack. In addition to raccoons, they track bears, bobcats, and cougars with ease.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Treeing Walker Coonhound

Evolution and Origins

The name of this breed contains a lot of information about its origins. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are named after a hound dog’s “treeing” technique during hunts, in which it tracks prey by its scent until the animal is forced to run up a tree for safety, while the dog waits below and barks loudly until the hunter arrives. These dogs also contain the name of a key family in the development of the breed in the 1700s, who imported and bred hounds from England: Walker. Finally, the last part of their name comes from coonhound dogs, which were bred to hunt raccoons and larger game.

Originally descended from English and American foxhounds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is one of the oldest breeds in the U.S. It was developed when a dog called “Tennessee Lead” was crossed with a Walker foxhound in the 1800s. Early on, it was classified as an English Coonhound; however, after receiving the name we know it as today, it was recognized as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club in 1945 and by the American Kennel Club in 2012.

Size and Weight

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy, lean build. It was developed to run effortlessly while pursuing prey and should look the part of an athlete, with weight in proportion to height.

Common Health Issues

The breed is generally healthy, but there are a few issues to be aware of. Like many athletic breeds, Walkers may develop hip dysplasia, one reason why finding a reputable breeder is important. Also, due to their floppy ears, it is easy for moisture and debris to become trapped, leading to ear infections. It is important to check and clean their ears frequently to keep them healthy.

Temperament

Walkers are generally calm, sociable, and loyal. They are typically patient, and they enjoy spending time with children. However, when taken for a hunt, Walkers immediately focus and begin casting for scent, using their high energy to become relentless hunters.

How to Take Care of the Treeing Walker Coonhound

Walkers are low-maintenance for the most part if they get enough exercise daily. Their affectionate nature makes these dogs a good choice for families with children and other pets. Unlike many hunting breeds, Walkers can quickly learn to leave the family cat alone.

The Best Dog Food for Treeing Walker Coonhounds

Puppies should be fed a high-quality puppy food three times a day. Once they reach six months, Walkers can transition to around two meals a day. While some people choose to eventually move to one feeding a day, breaking the meal into two servings helps reduce boredom and encourages good eating habits. Once your dog reaches around 1 year of age, you should transition to a high-quality adult dog food.

Maintenance and Grooming

The breed is about as low-maintenance as it gets when it comes to grooming. Going over his coat with a brush once a week, along with brushing his teeth every other day, is pretty much all you have to do for this breed. Use a cotton ball or gauze square dampened with a veterinary-recommended ear-cleaning solution to wipe out his ears once a week as well. Finally, clip toenails as often as necessary.

While the breed doesn’t require baths often, you may want to wipe off his feet with a damp cloth when bringing him inside during wet weather to avoid any infections and dirt brought into your home. Start doing this from a young age, and he will quickly learn to wait at the door and not be bothered by the wiping when he comes inside.

Training

Start working with your pup as soon as you bring it home. Walkers can be strong-willed, so introducing short, positive training sessions early on is important to establish good manners. Since the mature hound can reach 70 pounds and has a high energy level, it must know how to behave.

Don’t mistake its stubbornness for a lack of intelligence. Like many strong-willed breeds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound will shut down if treated poorly. Use patience, positive reinforcement, and rewards, and your pup will be more than happy to please you.

Exercise

Anyone planning on owning a Walker should love the outdoors. These dogs need a minimum of one hour a day of vigorous exercise, but the more, the better. Unfortunately, allowing it in the backyard now and then will not be enough. Instead, plan on walks, jogs, hikes, obedience training, and active play with toys in the backyard.

Puppies

Walkers produce an average of 4 to 6 puppies per litter. When looking for a pup, visit a reputable breeder or adoption agency. Walkers, like many hunting dogs, are frequently available from backyard breeders. Choose a reputable breeder with health certificates verifying proof of vaccination, along with any health issues that may present within a litter.

Many reputable breeders offer a health guarantee on their pups and analyze bloodlines for temperament and genetic health, but practices can vary. It’s important to ask breeders about their health testing and guarantees before purchasing a puppy. If you consider adoption, a reputable agency will let you know why a particular dog was surrendered and work with you to find a good match for you.

Treeing Walker Coonhound and Children

One of the facts that is often overlooked is how wonderful Treeing Walker Coonhounds are with children. They are attentive playmates, aware of their size, and gentle with their movements. This sociable hound may surprise you with an affinity for playing with children, but always supervise interactions between the dog and young children. As patient as this breed is, their floppy ears can become convenient handles for rough play, and their tolerance may encourage rowdy behavior from youngsters.

Dogs Similar to Treeing Walker Coonhound

If you find the Treeing Walker Coonhound appealing, but want to consider some similar breeds, there are several that may be a good fit.

• American Foxhound: The oldest American dog breed, and an ancestor of the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
• Bloodhound: A loveable and well-mannered choice.
• Beagle: Intelligence and hound personality in a more compact size. The Beagle is a good fit for those who love hounds but want a more manageable-sized dog.