The Black and tan Coonhound, also known as the "tree dog", is essentially a working dog. Its main purpose is to track and chase prey up trees. Although it is usually gentle in nature, it becomes a determined tracker when it catches the scent of prey. When the prey is treed, it will make loud barks, and hunters can identify them based on their different barking sounds.
The coat color of the Black and tan Coonhound is mostly black, with about 10-15% tan markings.
This dog is brave, fearless, and adaptable. It can work in complex terrains and withstand harsh climates. The general impression it gives is strength, agility, and alertness. One of the direct impressions it gives is a powerful and rhythmic gait, which gives it enough speed.
The Black and tan Coonhound relies entirely on its sense of smell to perform tasks. Its characteristics as a Coonhound and its courage enable it to track large game such as deer, bear, and mountain lions.
The Black and tan Coonhound originates from the United States and can be traced back to the 18th century. It was bred from Foxhounds (possibly with some Bloodhound ancestry). However, many people believe that the Black and tan Coonhound is a breed resulting from the combination of Bloodhounds and the Talbot Hound, which dates back to the time of William the Conqueror. During that era, their color and keen sense of smell were said to retain characteristics of the Virginia Foxhound. As for its place of origin, it is believed to be in the Appalachian and Great Smoky Mountains of the southeastern United States, particularly in the Blue Ridge - Indian Ozark region.
At that time, this breed of dog was very popular in Native American warrior and scout units. They had extremely keen tracking abilities and could successfully hunt large game such as raccoons, bears, and mountain lions even in unfavorable conditions.
In 1900, this dog became the first recognized breed in the Coonhound category and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1945.
Today, the Black and tan Coonhound is divided into two types: show type and field type. The show type is larger in size and has a more gentle temperament, while the field type still retains the most primitive nature and is used for hunting.
This dog is a typical hunting dog with strong adaptability, but it requires a large amount of exercise. Therefore, it is more suitable for being raised in spacious and free environments such as rural areas and suburbs, and is not suitable for urban living or for elderly and children.
Toes Inflammation
Symptoms: The dog frequently licks its toes, and the toes become red and wet. In severe cases, it may limp.
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Instructions: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair on the feet, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine, and apply erythromycin ointment between the toes after the inflammation site is dry. Once a day, repeat for a week.
Ear Mites
Symptoms: The dog scratches its ears, shakes its head, and the ears have a strong sour odor. It is accompanied by increased tear stains, hair loss in the ear, and dark brown secretions and earwax.
Preparation: Ear cleaner, ear cleansing solution
Instructions: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, and then pour ear cleansing solution or Vicks ear cleaner into the ear canal. Gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds. Wait for the dog to shake out the ear cleansing solution, use a cotton ball to wipe off the secretions, and gently clean the ear flap and ear canal.
Skin Disease
Symptoms: The dog feels itchy, the skin becomes red and itchy, the dog scratches randomly, the fur becomes dull and rough, there are more dandruff, and even patches of hair loss.
Preparation: Saline solution, topical ointment or skin spray, vitamin B.
Instructions: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking. Trim the problematic skin and surrounding hair, then rinse with saline water for sterilization. Apply ointment or use spray, and accompany with antibiotics and vitamin B.
In summer, it is important to ensure that the dog food is fresh, as high temperatures can easily cause food to spoil, especially high-protein foods like meat. It is not good for dogs to eat spoiled food and develop food poisoning.
Some Black and tan Coonhounds may become picky eaters in summer, so owners need to pay attention to feeding them fresh food that has been heated and cooled naturally. The amount of food should be appropriately reduced because dogs' appetites are generally not very good in hot weather. Uneaten food from one meal should never be left for the next meal.
If you want to increase your dog's appetite, you can choose some refreshing and delicious foods to mix with dog food and feed them, such as yogurt, cheese, etc. After being chilled in the refrigerator, not only is the taste better, but it is also very refreshing. It is okay for dogs to eat some cold food in summer.
It is necessary to pay special attention to cleaning and grooming the ears of Black and tan Coonhounds. In addition, regular exercise is also important due to their nature as hunting dogs.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it should not be done too frequently. The frequency of bathing should be based on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, it can be bathed one or two more times, while in winter, it can be reduced by one or two times. However, the total number of baths should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it may damage its coat and skin!
2. Regular grooming
Dogs shed almost every day, especially during the spring and autumn seasons when they shed more. To maintain good coat growth, regular grooming is an important step. Owners can use specialized grooming brushes to help remove natural shedding hair and prevent matting. Grooming once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's coat. In addition to making the coat more shiny, allowing the dog to sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness and promote blood circulation, resulting in healthier coat growth.
4. Deworming
Poor coat condition is often related to parasitic infestation. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, robbing them of essential nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to deworm externally and internally. Also, deworming medication can cause significant harm to the dog's gastrointestinal tract, so it is advisable to supplement with probiotics regularly to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have a beautiful coat, it is necessary to establish a solid nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choosing a brand that is suitable and nutritionally adequate for the dog's needs. On the other hand, it is also beneficial to provide the dog with a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil, among others.
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