These slick and racy, slender yet powerful dogs hunt the cunning raccoon from dusk until daylight. The sound of the American English Coonhound bellowing its lusty night symphony as it races through the moonlit woods is coon-hunter nirvana. American English Coonhounds are deep-chested, sweet-faced athletes adored by sportsmen for their speed and endurance, standing as high as 26 inches at the shoulder. A medium-length coat of several designs, some with ticking, is stretched firmly across the athletic frame.
The eyes are dark-brown and glow with love and kindness. The head is large with a domed skull, soft, low-hung ears, and these features. When not on duty, American English Coonhounds are laid-back, but when pursuing their ring-tailed prey, they are tenacious and stubborn. The breed may not make a good house companion for inexperienced owners because to their work ethic and energy, the patience required training them for tasks other than coon hunting, and their loud, ringing bark. Some fervent supporters of American English Coonhounds believe that if this breed’s houndy qualities aren’t utilized in sports, it’s a waste of a good dog.
Care as a Pet/ In Captivity
American English Coonhounds are robust, healthy dogs that don’t need a lot of maintenance specific to their breed. Due to their energy and stubbornness, these dogs need to be trained consistently over a limited period of time in brief training sessions.
Exercise
The American English Coonhound is quite spirited. They make the perfect companions for busy families because they are especially delighted to be part of a pack and will happily go for runs, hikes, or even bike rides with their owners. These pack dogs will typically get along well with household pets and kids. These dogs should not, however, be left alone for extended periods because to their need to be with their people at all times.
The American English Coonhound needs a lot of exercise, but due to their intense prey drive, they should never be let to play ball outside or to roam freely without the protection of a strong and solid fence. They may climb fences that are less than 6 feet tall, like other coonhounds, and they might even start burrowing underneath them when they are following their noses.
Grooming
These energetic, hard-working dogs need a diet that is nutritious and balanced in order to nourish their lean, athletic bodies and to maintain a healthy, glossy coat. Weekly brushing is necessary to maintain the breed’s short, hard, protective coat (which will also reduce shedding). Like most breeds, they should have their nails cut regularly, and they should bathe frequently. The most important thing is to regularly clean your coonhound’s ears to avoid infections.
Training
Since this breed is prone to specific behavioral problems like possessiveness over food or toys, early socialization will be necessary while they are puppies. Because they can be both tough and driven hunters and lovely and placid family companions, American English Coonhounds are frequently said to have a “split” disposition. Because they are sometimes reluctant to participate in activities that don’t involve hunting, the breed’s prey drive and seemingly limitless energy can occasionally get in the way of training. In the ideal case scenario, your coonhound might be food motivated, but in practice, it’s more probable that it’ll be attention motivated because of how easy their curiosity can make them turn away from goodies when being trained.
Diet and Nutrition
The American English Coonhound should function well on premium commercial or home-prepared dog food that has been approved by a veterinarian. Owners of American English Coonhounds should be aware that working dogs do require a different diet than dogs who lead lives that are more sedentary. These active hounds should always have access to fresh, clean water. As with all breeds, coonhounds can be particularly prone to weight gain, obesity-related disorders, therefore treats should be provided sparingly, and their nutrition should be regulated.
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