What is a Coonhound?

Coonhounds make great pets because they are calm, gentle, and playful with families and other dogs.  Coonhounds range in weight from about 45 to 70 lbs and come in a variety of types including, Redbone, Black and Tan, Blue-Tick, Treeing Walker, Red-Tick, and the Plott Hound.  Because they were bred to be hunting dogs, coonies have a strong prey drive and must always be contained in a fenced area or walked on a leash.  They need their daily excercise, but once they've had it, they can snooze for hours. Coonhounds are affectionate and love being with their people.  Enthusiastic and eager to please, coonhounds are also sensitive; nothing looks more miserable than an unhappy hound dog.  As great snugglers, coonhounds make excellent companions when watching TV or curling up with a book.

Coonhounds are a distinctly American breed of dog, bred by the early settlers who needed dogs that would tree their prey in the forested colonies of America, unlike the foxhounds who chased ground prey in the open fields of Britain.  They were bred from foxhounds crossed with other European hunting dogs.  George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both kept coonhounds.  The Disney character Pluto, with his floppy ears and tail, was based on a coonhound.  The expression 'barking up the wrong tree' orginated in the 1800's and refers to a coonhound's hunting behavior.

The Coonhound Rescue Mission

Coonhounds are abandoned in shelters because in many parts of the country they have very little value as pets.  They are often kept outside in pens and sometimes do not even have names.  They are often surrendered after hunting season is over, or if as young dogs they do not prove themselves to be good trackers. They can also become stray after wandering off, as well as falling victim to changes in the owners health, finances or living situation - like all shelter dogs.  Because they are so 'common' in the South and relatively unknown in the North, coonhounds often never make it out of shelters and are passed over by other dog rescue groups.

Our mission is to educate people about the suitability of coonhounds as pets.  We provide referrals to coonhounds available through shelters and other rescues in New England.  We have a small number of coonhounds in foster care in New England, which can be seen by appointment. 


Is a Coonhound Right for You?

Please do your research before adopting a coonhound.  Like any breed, they have their own distinct qualities and are not right for everybody.

Coonhounds make great family dogs; they're generally very good with kids and other dogs. They're difficult to annoy and can take all the petting an affection you can provide.

Coonhounds are generally pretty humble and laid back.  They don't have much of an 'attitude' and will have you laughing at their clownish antics.

Consider your living situation.  Coonhounds need a fenced yard or must be taken for a long walk on a leash daily.  They are genreally not good dogs to leave in an apartment or condo if you work all day.

Coonhounds have a loud, low bark.  They are usually not incessant barkers like toy breeds and some terriers.  They are not necessarily watch dogs, but will warn of intruders by barking. Because they can be loud, they are not the best dogs in dense living situations.

As athletic, outdoorsy dogs, coonhounds are great companions for running, walking and hiking.

Some coonhounds will regard cats or toy breeds of dogs as prey.  If you have small animals, you'll need to test out any coonhounds you are considering.

Coonhounds can be difficult to train because of their strong hunting instincts.  Patience, and a firm, consistent approach to training is necessary.

Little maintenance is required with the coonhound coat; it's short and an occasional brushing or bath is all that's needed.