There are six registered AKC Coonhound breeds, most of them descended from blood hounds and fox hounds. The most common breeds, according to author Michele Welton, are the redbone, black and tan, bluetick, Plott hound and treeing walker coonhounds. Possibly the most recognizable breed is the redbone -- "Where the Red Fern Grows," a book by Wilson Rawls that was adapted into a movie, featured a pair of redbone coonhounds.
Coats/Shedding
Coat colors and textures are breed-specific and are generally short to medium in length. The coats are easy to care for but they do shed.
Redbone coonhounds are a solid red color but may have some white markings and a dark muzzle. They are descended from red foxhounds brought to America by Scottish immigrants.
The black and tan coonhound has a distinctively jowly face and somewhat resembles a bloodhound, which is one of the hound breeds they are the most closely related to.
Bluetick coonhounds have bluish specks of color on a pale coat with black spots and patches. "Ticking" refers to black or dark hairs on a lighter coat.
Plott hounds are just about any color variation of brindle. Brindling refers to dark streaks or stripes of color on a paler background fur color.
The treeing walker and the English-American coonhound both strongly resemble a foxhound in coloration with white coats with black or brown saddles or patches. The color standards for the English-American coonhound permits ticking patterns, and sometimes the English American coonhound is referred to as the redtick coonhound.
Personality
Coonhounds are easy-going in temperament, though they can be destructive and stubborn if not properly trained and socialized. Unless extensively trained to hunt, they should not be allowed off the leash as they have a tendency to wander off if they become distracted by an interesting scent. If they find a scent that is particularly interesting they may become "selectively deaf" to commands. Coonhounds may have a tendency to chase smaller pets, but they generally get along with other pets as long as they are properly socialized.
Size
Coonhounds are medium to large dogs. Shoulder heights are breed-specific but range between 20 to 27 inches.
Activity
As a group, coonhounds are active hunting dogs, requiring a great deal of exercise and attention. Coonhounds are bred for tracking down and cornering small to large game. They are, in general, best suited for homes that have a lot of yard space and owners who are going to give them the exercise they need.
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