SCENTERBAY HOUNDS
The Wonderful Black and Tan Coonhound
HISTORY:
The Black and Tan Coonhounds origins are obscure but is thought to descend from the Talbot Hound & St Hubert Hound, found in 11th Century medieval England & European hounds including Kerry Beagles & French Bleu Gascognes. Its ancestry is then traced through the Bloodhound and the Foxhound to the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound.
By 1900 The Black & Tan Coonhound with careful breeding certainly had a definitive 'Type' and was here to stay.
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 breed, and as an entirely separate breed from the American Foxhound. The first AKC registered Black & Tan Coonhound was Grand Mere Big Rock Molly.
The Black & Tan Coonhound is a hunting dog, utilising their strong nose and long ears to gather scent. Nose to the ground they trail with skill and determination, having the ability to go all day. Then giving voice or 'barking-up' when their quarry is 'treed'.
Although primarily bred to trail Racoon their brave nature makes them easily trained to track all animals, deer & wild cat included.
This pack of Black and Tans were owned and bred by William N. Cosner of Maple Hill Farm of Greencastle, Indiana.
Mr. Cosner was an active breeder of the old fashioned, long-eared Black and Tan coonhound for over 75 years.
TEMPERAMENT:
Although full of stamina and love to follow a scent, the Black & Tan Coonhounds laid back, gentle and carefree nature makes them the ideal sofa dog and cuddly companion. This is a breed that like their creature comforts!
They are loyal to their family, make best friends to children and being a true pack animal have extremely good relationships with other dogs of all ages and sexes.
If you want a 'go all day', or a 'chilled out' - few walks a day breed, the Black & Tan Coonhound is for you.
A Black & Tan IS a scent hound so if a scent is caught they most probably will want to follow it. A good recall is a must.
Training is highly recommended, but don't count on perfect compliance. This is a dog who enjoys putting his own spin on obedience commands. Use treats and positive reinforcement techniques to persuade your Black and Tan that he wants to do as you ask.......... and "ask" is the operative word. Hounds are stubborn in nature & will flat-out ignore you if you try to boss them around or could even totally shut down. Black & Tan Coonhounds do not do well with harsh correction!
HEALTH: A breed built for stamina and endurance should be healthy....... and this is very true of The Black & Tan Coonhound. But like all pedigree & crossbreed dogs some health conditions exist to a lesser or greater degree.
A conscientious, reputable breeder will always health test and never assume a disease is not in their line. This way sensible breeding decisions can be made. If you don't test you don't know!
ALL OF OUR COONHOUNDS ARE HEALTH TESTED PRIOR TO BREEDING
HIP/ ELBOW DYSPLASIA: Many factors contribute to Hip & Elbow dysplasia, some genetic & some environmental. If a parent has hip or elbow dysplasia, caused by a genetic predisposition, their offspring are at greater risk for inheriting the condition.
Other factors i.e. obesity, over exercise, poor nutrition & injury as a puppy can also affect the development of the joints.
Although not a requirement, the Black & Tan Coonhound is a large breed, so it is advisable to hip & elbow score.
This requires X-rays of the dog's hips/ elbows to be taken & X-rays sent to the British Veterinary Association. The X-rays are then examined and "graded" by a panel of experts.
Once the X-rays have been graded, the result is returned to the vet, who relates it to the owner, and a copy is sent to the Kennel Club for recording on the registration database and publication in the KC Breed Records Supplement.
EYES: The Black & Tan Coonhound has no genetic eye diseases. Very occasionally problems have been found on examination but no more than any other breed.