American English Coonhound- Must know Virginia Hound Facts

The American English Coonhound is a descendant of the English Foxhound and is also known as;

  • Redtick Coonhound
  • English Coonhound
  • Virginia Hound

These are athletic, sweet, and fast dogs that are also known for their endurance.

With six existing Connhounds today the American English Coonhound is considered to the fastest of them all.

They are highly adapted to rough terrains which makes them excellent hunters both during the day and night. Some are also known to have the ability to even climb trees.

These are just some of the Coonhound qualities but as a dog owner, you may need to know much more about this pooch before deciding on adoption or making a purchase.

Fortunately, you have come to the right place.

In this Mydogsinfo dog breed guide, we are going to cover all the essentials about the English Coonhound. From his temperament and personality traits to his looks and even how to take care of him we got it all.

So, stick with us as we go through all that you need to know about this amazing dog. 
American-English-Coonhound

About the American English Coonhound

With the ability and endurance to pursue raccoons and foxes from dusk to dawn, the English Coonhound is a racy, sleek, muscular but lean dog.

The sheer determination and hard work that this dog has is a wonder to a look at.

But this may not be a dog for any dog lover because he also has his misgiving. For example, he is prone to barking which may make him a bad choice for you if you have neighbors living near you.

Also, his high energy and exercise needs may make him unsuitable for novice dog owners or if you live an apartment.

But on the plus side he a people lower and loves to please and make them happy.

When given enough mental and physical stimulation the Virginia Hound should be a great pet for you.

Often seen in the Southern parts of the US of A where his abilities can be put into use this dog works best when he is a pack.

So, where did this incredible Coonhound come from?

Virginia Hound

Origin and history of the Redtick Coonhound

The Redtick Coonhound is a dog of English ancestry but he is American by birth.

This is one of the six recognized Coonhounds and was bred for a specific purpose.

Bred by the frontiersman this dog could pursue raccoons even on trees. And yes, you heard that right the American English Coonhound is equipped to climb trees.

Raccoons were a great source of fat, fur, and food.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, early immigrants took the ancestors of this dog to the South of America after which they were named the American Coonhound.

However, these dogs would soon be faced with problems during hunting that are unique to the Americas. Game in the US used trees a lot.

The Virginia Coonhound was thus not up to the task of training the hunts once they were on the trees. This would soon change when Bloodhounds(was considered to have the most powerful nose) were selected to be crossbred with this pooch.

What resulted was a sleek-bodied, high-endurance hound capable of tracking game on rough terrain and even on trees.

This is the dog that we today know as the American Engish Coonhound.

George Washington was involved in the development of this dog and was one of the people that owned one.

He is now popularly known as the fastest Coonhound and is also called the Redtick Coonhound because of his unique coat.

Pedigree and breed recognition

In 1995, this dog was recorded in the Foundation Stock Service and made his first Westminster Kennel Show appearance in 2012.

The UKC first recognized this dog as the English Fox and Coonhound in 1905 and American Kennel Club recognized him later on in 2011.

American_english_Hound

Pros and cons of the Redtick Coonhound

Pros

✓ This is an enduring and hardworking doggo.

✔ He is a very friendly and sociable pooch.

✓ The English Coonhound gets along well with other pets and children.

Cons

✘ They have a pretty strong prey drive.

✗ These dogs can be very vocal.

✘ They require a relatively high amount of exercise which may be too much for some people.

✗ This Coonhound should not be left alone for extended periods because he can end up being destructive and bark a lot.

The General characteristics and appearance of the American English Coonhound

American English Coonhound Dog summary table
Height Male: 22–27 inches, Female: 21–25 inches
Weight Male: 40–65 pounds, Female: 40–60 pounds
Lifespan 11 to 12 years
Breed Type Hound
Purpose Hunting and companion dog
Suitable For Active and playful families
Grooming requirements moderate
Color Variations Black and white, red and white, blue and white ticked, red and white ticked or ticking tricolor
Health concerns hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, Gastric Dilation Volvulus and Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Temperament  Intelligent, Friendly, Alert, Reserved, Protective, playful, trainable, affectionate and can be destructive when bored
Other Names English Coonhound, Redtick Coonhound, Virginia Hound

Breed size

This is a large-sized dog breed with males being usually larger than their female counterparts in most cases.

Male English Coonhound has a height of between 22 to 27 inches and weighs between 40 to 65 pounds. On the other hand, females have a height that varies from 21 to 25 inches and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 60 pounds.

Physical appearance

The Redtick Coonhound is a muscular but lean doggo that is super fast.

They have well-defined muscles and have deep and broad chests with floppy and low ears that drape past their chins.

This dog’s head should be long and wide with a slight dooming on the top of his skull.

These Coonhounds also have relatively long muzzles and upper lips that give them a generally square appearance.

Adding to their great looks is their large and pleading eyes that are dark brown with wide-open nostrils on their black noses.

The tails should be quite slim and medium in length.

English Coonhound

Shedding Coat appearance of the Redtick Coonhound

The American English Coonhound has a straight, hard, and short coat that is of medium length.

This coat comes in several colors and color combinations that include;

Black and white red and white blue and white ticked
Tricolor ticked Lemon and white red and white ticked

Ticking marking are the hallmark appearance traits of this dog but not all dogs have the markings.

The English Coonhound is a low shedding dog that is, however, not hypoallergenic.

If you suffer from dog-related allergies, you should consider one of those dogs that are on our guide on hypoallergenic dogs.

Personality traits and temperament of the English Coonhound

This pooch is known for being friendly and laid back which makes him an excellent family dog.

He loves to nest or curl up on the couch and you should get him his comfy resting place.

Due to how friendly they are, these dogs do not make great guard dogs but their howls and barks will always alert you when there is a stranger which makes them great watchdogs.

This howling is sometimes known to get out of hand and can be a nuisance to your neighbors.

However, with the correct and consistent training, you should be able to make them calmer and quieter.

This canine friend should not be left alone for extended periods as he is used to being in a pack. Doing this could lead him to become destructive as he looks for ways to entertain himself.

Family compatibility

This dog may have been bred to be a hunter but he is very people-oriented which makes him a great daily dog.

They form strong bonds with their friends and family members who they consider to be part of their pack.

These dogs are also great with small children and other pets.

However, you should know that they have a strong prey drive which can make them chase children and other small animals around.

They will, therefore, need to be socialized from an early age to learn that children other pets are not prey. You should also make sure that any time they are playing you are there to supervise to avoid any incidences.

You can visit this article to learn some clever ways to reduce your dog’s prey drive.

Ticked Coonhound

Frequently asked questions

Does the Redtick Coonhound shed? 

Also known as the English Coonhound, this dog does shed but in very minimal amounts and will not require too much grooming.

What is the lifespan of the American English Coonhound?

The English Coonhound has a lifespan of between 11 to 12 years.

What is a Coonhound?

A Coonhound is a type of scents dog which is also part of the hound group. The Virginia Hound is a scent dog and is therefore classified as Coonhound because of his ability to even overcome the loss of scent even on trees.

Virginia Hound Puppies

The American English Coonhound can have a litter of between 4 to 8 puppies but the size of the litter can vary depending on the individual dog.

These puppies grow slower when compared to other dog breeds, taking around 24 months to reach their full weight and height.

Age Male Weight (pounds) Female Weight (pounds)
3 months 17 12
6 months 35 27
12 months 47 42
18 months 60 52

Purchasing one of these puppies can cost you around $800 to $1600 depending on the location and the breeder.

american-english-coonhound-pups

Grooming an English Coonhound

This is not a high maintenance dog and will not require much grooming to keep him in top-notch condition.

Though this dog does not shed much brushing his coat often will help get rid of any loose hair and reduce shedding even further. It also helps to distribute essential coat oils and thus keeps it shiny.

Brushing is also an excellent time for you and your American English Coonhound to build a better bond.

This canine friend should also not be bathed often as it can get rid of that protective oil layer on the coat. A bath once a month will be more than enough.

However, if your canned gets dirty in between the scheduled baths there are several things that you could do;

  • Use wet to remove dust and any loose hairs.
  • Using a damp cloth such as a towel to wipe the dog all over should make sure that he is always clean.

English Coonhounds have floppy ears where dirt can accumulate and cause infections. Therefore, you should check and clean the ears frequently to reduce the risk of any infections.

The nails should be trimmed and teeth cleaned for dental hygiene.

Exercise requirements

This canine will require lots of physical and mental stimulation to keep him healthy and happy.

He may be calm and laid back while in the house but his high energy means that he needs a large space where he can play and explore. What this means is that he may not be very suitable for apartment living.

This Coonhound should be taken for 2 daily walks, hikes, or even going for runs to meet his exercise needs.

When taking this dog for walks always remember to use a leash on him to keep his prey drive at bay. This is important because once he picks up a scent or spots a prey, there is nothing that will stop him if he does not have a leash on.

You can learn how you can leash train your canine friend by visiting our leash training guide.

This dog should have a constant supply of clean water to prevent him from getting dehydrated or overheating.

English-Coonhound dog

American English Coonhound dietary and nutritional requirements

This Coonhound should be put on a high-quality and balanced diet.

The diet should be one that meets his high energy needs whether it is raw, home-made, or store-bought.

You should follow the general rule of thumb is to give this dog 20 calories for every pond that he weighs,

American English Coonhound Daily Food Consumption
Calories 1400
Cups of Kibble 🍗🍗🍗

Divide these meals into two or three portions a day avoiding giving them too much which can be a risk for bloat.

A proper diet should provide them with sufficient proteins, fats, and even amino acids. It is also recommended that you choose a grain-free diet that cannot upset the dog’s stomach.

These canines are also known to have weight issues and you must monitor the dog’s diet religiously.

How to train a Redtick Coonhound

For a dog with a hunting background such as the American English Coonhound training is essential.

With that said, this pooch is very intelligent and eager to please which makes him highly trainable.

You should always paise and use positive reinforcement during training to make it much easier. Training is a process that requires one to be consistent and exercise patience because it takes time.

Socialization is also an important part of the training that should never be ignored by any dog owner.

american-english-coonhound guide

Health issues

Generally, English Coonhound is a healthy dog but just like any other dog breed he may also be prone to some health issues such as;

  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Ear infections
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus or bloat
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Breed summary

The American English Coonhound is a great companion and family pet for dog lovers that have an outdoor and active lifestyle.

This dog is affectionate, friendly, gentle, devoted, and highly reliable.

However, he can have a spit personality with this prey drive taking over.

When you understand and take care of this dog’s needs, living with him should be easy.

There you go, WOOF!

You may also like

https://mydogsinfo.com/dog-breeds/american-water-spaniel/