As far as canines go, there are various options available for you to choose from. Some people prefer the larger breeds of dogs, as they are great companions for families. Larger dogs are also suitable for large households and for protection for your family.
Be sure to check out our recommendations for large short-haired breeds to help you make your decision.
So you’ve checked out all the breeds and settled on the coonhound. That’s a great choice if you ask us. In addition to being very energetic, coonhounds are the perfect companion if you’re an avid hunter. Widely known for raccoon hunting, this large breed of dogs was originally bred in the US from strains of a bloodhound and a black and tan foxhound.
With many breeds of coonhounds diverging over the years, it’s kind of hard to understand the subtle differences. This list will provide you with a general guide on the major breeds of coonhounds available right now and their varying traits.
Different Breeds of Coonhounds
| Ranking | Name | Height | Weight | Life span | Breed size | Temperament | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American English Coonhound | 24-26 inches | 45-65 lbs | 11-12 years | large | Intelligent, Energetic, Loyal, Active, High-strung | United States |
| 2 | Black and Tan Coonhound | 25-27 inches | 65-110 lbs | 10-12 years | large | Even Tempered, Easy going, Trusting, Adaptable | United States |
| 3 | Bluetick Coonhound | 22-27 inches | 55-80 lbs | 11-12 years | large | Friendly, Intelligent, Active | United States |
| 4 | Plott Coonhound | 20-25 inches | 45-60 lbs | 12-14 years | large | Intelligent, Bold, Alert, Loyal | North Carolina |
| 5 | Redbone Coonhound | 22-27 inches | 45-70 lbs | 12-15 years | large | Unflappable, Affectionate, Energetic, Independent | United States |
| 6 | Treeing Walker Coonhound | 22-27 inches | 50-70 lbs | 12-13 years | large | Clever, Intelligent, Affectionate, Confident | United States |
There are many different breeds and strains of coonhounds aside from this list. This list, however, will go over the major breeds in the coonhound family and go over each one’s characteristics and strengths.
The major coonhound breeds are:
- American English Coonhound
- Black and Tan Coonhound
- Bluetick Coonhound
- Plott Coonhound
- Redbone Coonhound
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
American English Coonhound
- Average weight: 45-65 lbs
- Height: 24-26 inches (male) 23-25 inches(female).
- Life Expectancy: 11-12 years
We’ll start off with the American Coonhound. This deep-chested, large canine, is a favorite for huntsmen. Known for their hard work and drive, American Coonhounds are perfect companions for your hunting parties. Yet, they’re known to be incredibly affectionate and kid-friendly.
To add more positives, American Coonhounds don’t shed large amounts of hair, don’t drool much, and are easy to groom, all you need is a few clips every couple of weeks and you’re set.
In terms of friendliness and trainability, American Coonhounds are very easy to train, in addition to being highly intelligent.
On the downside, however, American Coonhounds are not very comfortable being alone, which doesn’t make them ideal for new pet owners.
Black and Tan Coonhound
- Average weight: 65-110 Pounds.
- Height: 25-27 inches(male). 23-25 inches(female).
- Life Expectancy: 10-12 years.
Next on our list is the perfect playmate and bed warmer, the Black and Tan Coonhound. Black and Tan is an amazingly kind dog. It’s very playful and perfect for children. Black and Tan Coonhounds are quite large but highly athletic. They’re widely known as “night hunters”.
With its very high intensity and high need for exercise, the Black and Tan Coonhound is one of the most energetic types of dogs. Surprisingly though, the Black and Tan are one of the easier going and laid back dogs on this list.
In terms of drool and shedding however, a Black and Tan might present a challenge as it sheds quite the amount in addition to large amounts of drool. This is coupled with their challenging nature, making them a bit difficult to train.
Another downside to Black and Tans is that they’re not very apartment-friendly in addition to not being comfortable being alone. So if you are a first-time owner or live in a small apartment, it might be better to choose less time and energy exalting breed.
Bluetick Coonhound
- Average weight: 55-80 pounds.
- Height: 22-27 inches(male), 21-25 inches(female).
- Life Expectancy: 11-12 years.
The Bluetick Coonhound is an old breed of dogs dating back to colonial times. They came to be as a result of crossing American hounds with different breeds of European hounds, namely the French Staghound. Originally called the English coonhound, the name was changed in 1946.
The Bluetick Coonhound has a short smooth coat. It’s also perfect for households as it has a small rate of shedding. Their long floppy ears make it important for the owner to keep them clean and dry to prevent ear infections.
The Bluetick Coonhound is a highly affectionate, very friendly breed of dog. Unlike a lot of the other breeds on this list, Bluetick Coonhounds easily get along with other pets. That makes them perfect for a multi-pet household.
Known for being easily bored, it is important for any owner to adequately exercise their Bluetick Coonhound. They’re very energetic and require a lot of time in outdoor settings as they are, after all, a member of a dog family known as hunters.
Notable negatives of the Bluetick Coonhound is that they’re not really tolerant of being alone or closed spaces. So small house or apartment owners need to beware of choosing this specific breed.
Plott Coonhound
- Average weight: 45-60 pounds.
- Height: 20-25 inches(male), 20-23 inches(female).
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years old.
The Plott Coonhound is unique among the 6 major Coonhound dog breeds, as it’s the only Coonhound not descended from the English Hound, but from German “Hanover” Hounds. Plott Hounds are named after Johannes Plott, the German Immigrant who brought the first Hanover hounds to the US.
They have medium length hanging ears, with black rims over their ears, eyes, and noses. They’re known for fine, smooth, and glossy coats, which means a low amount of shedding.
Plott Hounds are known for their loyalty and intelligence. This makes them easy to train and perfect to take outdoors without worrying about them breaking off their leech. That, with their low amount of shedding, makes them easy to maintain, requiring only a regular brush and occasional bathe to stay healthy.
Commonly bred in packs to hunt wild boar and bears, Plott hounds are very dog-friendly. This only adds to the numerous positive traits that they possess. In addition, they’re very easy to train and quiet dogs. This, along with their size, makes them suitable for indoor environments.
The only downsides to the Plott Coonhound are its inability to withstand being alone for very long and hostility towards strangers. Coupled with its inability to tolerate cold weather are the only challenges that may face a new owner to this incredible breed of dogs.
Redbone Coonhound
- Average weight: 45-70 pounds.
- Height: 22-27 inches(male), 20-26 inches(female).
- Life Expectancy: 12-15 years.
Redbone Coonhounds are among the first hounds bred by Scottish settlers to provide steady sources of raccoon meat. This makes them eager and tenacious hunters, with lots of energy and great tracking abilities.
They’re best known for their stunning red coat and long hanging ears. These dogs are quite fast, as they were bred to hunt small, quick animals in open fields. In addition, their mild and friendly demeanor makes them perfect for apartment living.
In terms of care, the Redbone Coonhound has short, silky hair, which requires minimal upkeep. Their shedding rate is very low so only regular brushing and occasional baths should keep them nice and clean.
Redbone Coonhounds are very active dogs, which makes them perfect for outdoorsy owners or athletes. They’re fairly easy to train, with early socialization usually enough to get your Redbone properly trained and healthy.
The one notable downside to the Redbone Coonhound dog breed is that their high activity levels make them prone to wanderlust. They might wander off in open areas and cause a hassle to the owner.
Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Average weight: 50-70 pounds.
- Height: 22-27 inches(male), 20-25 inches(female).
- Life Expectancy: 12-13 years.
The final breed of Coonhound on this list is the Treeing Walker coonhound. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a descendant of the English Foxhound. Its name comes from Thomas Walker, who was an important figure in the development of the breed in the 1700s.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is one of the larger breeds on this list. It has a short, smooth coat, which repels dirt and mud. This makes them very low maintenance and easy to keep clean.
Bred for hunting raccoons and other small game, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are very high energy and kind of difficult to train. This makes them less than ideal for apartment living or sedentary owners. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are therefore ideal for a large homestead with plenty of opportunities for hunting and play.
In Conclusion
In this list, we have presented you with the 6 major AKC Coonhound breeds and their various characteristics. If you are willing to exert the time and energy required to train these intelligent and loving dogs, you will be rewarded dearly.
This historic breed is known for its energy, playfulness, and loyalty. Make sure to go through our guides on nutrition and training to aid you in breaking in your new friend.
Our recommendation for an indoor or apartment setting is to go for the Bluetick or Redbone Coonhounds.
For multi-pet homes with playing children, we recommend you go for the Plott or Black and Tan Coonhounds.
However, if you’re looking for a large, energetic dog breed to accompany you on your outdoor adventures, you should go for the American English or Treeing Walker.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.