American Black and Tan Coonhound

COUNTRY; USA
HEIGHT: 23-27 inches
COAT: Short and dense
COLOR: Black with tan points
OTHER NAMES: Black and Tan Coonhound
GROUP: Hound

Famed scouts and Indian fighters, Simon Ken-ton and the Poe brothers from the Ohio Valley, were among the first to foster the Black and Tan in the late 1700s. From Foe's stock and the later efforts of Simion Shirk and his grandson, Holmes Lingo, in the early 1800s, evolved the Old Glory strain of Black and Tans, the breed's most famous line which lasted in pure form for more than 130 years, until the mid-1940s. Other promoters of the breed, such as the Merritt Brothers of the 19th century and Don Stringer's Ten Oaks line of the 1920s-1940s, contributed to the modern development of the American Black and Tan breed.

The Black and Tan was the first "coonhound" to split off from the American Foxhound umbrella and, ironically, is the only one to be accepted by AKC. Black and Tans developed from early methodical, exquisitely cold-nosed "foxhounds." Most cynologists feel that a large percentage (at least) of the Kerry Beagle was in the stem stock.

The raccoon, an animal unknown in Europe, is a native of the Americas. "Coon" hunting became and has remained a passion with Americans, and the development of specific dogs for this sport ensued. The coon, when pursued, will finally climb a tree where the American Black and Tan Coonhound dogs hold it until the hunters arrive. This quarry is nocturnal, hunting is done at night. A group of hounds are cast and, when one of them encounters a fresh coon trail, he "opens" or begins to bay.

Since each hound has a distinctive bawl, the handlers can identify which hound has opened on the trail. Then all the other hounds join the leader in following the scent and combine their voices. The hunters can follow the progress of the chase through the dark by the musical sounds of the hounds, heard for many miles as they pursue the quarry. When the dogs finally tree the raccoon, their voice tone changes, and the hunters then head toward the sound. Eavesdroppers on a typical hunt can hear, "There goes Babe. She's on the trail." Or, "Ol' Joker's got 'im treed."

The American Black and Tan is a big, rangy, strongly headed hound with abundant earage. He possesses a beautiful bugle voice and is a methodical hunter that leaves no stone unturned. E.S. Traverse, a knowledgeable houndsman, writes about the classic Black and Tan as "a cold-nosed hound that opened on tracks the other hounds didn't even know were there, with the determination to finish the track even if it led to Hell's backdoor." Because of these attributes, the American Black and Tan Coonhound has trailed boar, big cats and other similar game, as much or more than on raccoon, so that his specific talents can be fully utilized.

Today a few breeders foster the American Black and Tan Coonhound on the bench and occasional specimens are seen at AKC shows. The exhibition specimens have tended to become more refined and racy in type, and it would seem a shame to create a breed split in this fine old hound by forgetting its original use, purpose and proud history. Although called American Black and Tan Coonhound by the UKC, which registers 12,000 each year, the 600 registered by the AKC go by the shortened name of Black and Tan Coonhound.

The American Black and Tan Coonhounds are calm, affectionate and good with children. They love being with people and are willing to please. Early socialization is suggested to insure confidence. Droopy ears must be kept clean to avoid odor and infections. Like most hounds, when they catch a scent, they're off and running, so owners are well advised to secure the dogs in an enclosure when not being worked.