History

The Black and Tan Coonhounds origins are obscure but is thought to descend from the Belgian St Hubert Hound, Kerry Beagles, Bloodhounds & the Talbot Hound found in 11th Century medieval England.

Their development began a century before the American Revolution, when wealthy Englishmen brought various hounds to the American colonies in the regions of the Blue Ridge, Smoky, Appalachian & Ozark Mountains. They were bred to 'tree' raccoons (hence the name Coonhound), but are equally capable of tracking bigger game and it was this versatility that made them the ideal companion for colonial settlers. Its ancestry is then traced through the assorted American Foxhounds to the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. By 1900 The Black & Tan Coonhound with careful breeding certainly had a definitive 'Type' and was the first of the Coonhound breeds to be recognised by the United Kennel Club (UKC).

From the UKC hounds a longer eared, heavier boned Black & Tan Coonhound was developed. William Cosner, the "Master Breeder" of the longer eared Black and Tans, whelped his first litter in 1921. He along with other breeders, namely Don Stringer (Ten Oaks) & Orville Dunham (Grand Mere), became the impetus for AKC acceptance and were the breeders responsible for authoring the first American Kennel Club (AKC) standard for the breed. In 1945 The AKC recognised the Black and Tan as the first of the six Coonhounds as an entirely separate breed from the American Foxhound and the first registered was Grand Mere Big Rock Molly.

​

Recent History

The first three Black & Tan Coonhounds were imported into the UK by Estella Saxton, Phil Dale & Antonio Skaboullos in 2014 & 2015. Necku God Gave Me A Coon, (Lahja) & Necku Coonshadow (Shadow) - from Finland, and Am Ch Jazzman Independence Day, Goose - from America. These three were hoped to be the foundation for the breed in the UK but due to unsatisfactory hip x-rays it was decided to remove Shadow from the breeding program and have him neutered. 

The first UK litter bred was Lahja to Arven Yellow Queen, a Czech Bred male and the first Black & Tan Coonhound born in the UK was Arven's Barbara by Scenterbay (Birdy). Goose was bred to a male imported from America by Phil & Estella, Oak Hill's Blue Ridge (Jester). It is from these first two litters that many of UKs Black & Tan Coonhounds descend.

UK Breed recognition from Estella & Phils application was granted by the Kennel Club on 1st July 2018.

The Black & Tan Coonhound has a dedicated following in the UK and goes from strengh to strength.

​

Characteristics

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a strong, large, majestic breed with noticeably long pendulous ears which should be low set. Height is 'ideally' 25-27 inches for males & 23-25inches for females but many are a good few inches taller. They should have good bone and substance but not be Bloodhound or Mastiff like in any way. They are determined hunters, have natural tracking instincts and incredible noses as well as a strong ability to problem solve. They trail entirely by skill, with nose to ground, "barking up" or giving voice the moment their quarry is treed.

A happy-go-lucky breed, the Black & Tan Coonhound is accepting of most situations and extremely adaptable. They enjoy the company of their human companions, are loyal and are good with children, making them ideal family pets. Being a true pack animal they have good relationships with all other canine breeds. They are a slow to mature breed, and can be stubborn at times so will require your patience. Black & Tans will not do well with harsh correction.

Before deciding if the Black & Tan Coonhound is the correct canine companion for you it is important to meet the breed in their home. The adorably cute 9kg puppy at 8 weeks can easily make a 45kg dog!