The American English Coonhound is a breed originating in the United States but of English ancestry. This breed has been bred for hunting purposes, as they are known for their excellent sense of smell and their ability to track over long distances. In addition, they are large dogs characterized by long droopy ears and expressive eyes.
General details
The breed has a medium size and a weight ranging between 20 and 29 kilograms, while the height in males varies between 61 and 66 centimeters, and between 58 and 63.5 cm in females. Their life expectancy is 11 to 12 years and they are not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
Breed history in brief
The American English Coonhound is considered to have originated in the United States between the 18th and 19th centuries. It descends from several breeds of hunting dogs imported to America by European settlers, such as the English Foxhound, the French Hound or the Virginia Hound. For more than a thousand years, the American English Coonhound was bred for the specific hunting of raccoons, very abundant in the rural areas of the United States in the mentioned centuries.
Today, despite its long history, it is not a very common dog outside its country of origin. The American English Coonhound is still used for hunting, but it is also a pet of choice for many families because of its outgoing personality. Some experts consider the current American English to be the fastest of the Coonhound breeds.
Breed characteristics
American English Coonhound is a breed of dog characterized by a strong, athletic and agile body. The chest is deep and the back is strong with a broad loin. The head is broad and of medium length with wide-set, dark brown eyes. The most characteristic feature of its physique is the long ears that hang down almost to the end of the nose. The tail is medium, thin and stands erect when the dog is alert or active.
The coat of the American English Coonhound is harsh, of medium length, dense and glossy. It features a wide range of colors and patterns, including blue and white, red and white, tricolor and black and tan.
This breed of dog is characterized by great speed and endurance. They have an excellent sense of smell and a loud, distinctive bark that serves to alert their breeders to the presence of prey. Even so, they are active, outgoing and loyal dogs. They get along well with children and other pets.
Common health problems
The American English Coonhound breed has a certain disposition to suffer from some diseases or disorders that can affect its health. The most common conditions in this breed are hip dysplasia, volvulo-gastric dilatation, hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy.
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