Buying or Adopting a Coonhound
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Don't set your sights on a coonhound until you read my advice in these posts.
Should You Even Get a Dog? Are You Sure?
Important – I've been helping people choose and find dogs for nearly 40 years, and honestly, some people who decide to get a dog are making a big mistake... [read more]
The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)
The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)
The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)
Is a Coonhound the right breed for you?
Coonhound Review
Black and Tan, Bluetick, Redbone, English, Treeing Walker, Plott Hound, American Leopard Hound.... I'll tell you what's good about 'em, and what's bad about 'em... most honest review you'll ever find
Dog Breed Traits – Which Traits Are Right For You? In this brand new series, I'll help you decide which dog breed traits would best suit you and your family, your home and yard, and your lifestyle, so you can choose the best dog breed for your family. |
Are YOU the right owner for a Coonhound?
Can you provide what these dogs need?
- Fenced yard (6-8 feet high, not an electronic/underground fence)
- No very small dogs in the household
- No cats in the household
- Restricted exercise when young – until maturity (at least 18 months old), exercise restricted to multiple short (20 minute) walks, fetch games, and playing with other dogs – no forced running (beside a jogger or bicyclist), no long-distance treks, minimal jumping
- Ample exercise after maturity – enough ongoing exercise that your Coonhound stays slim and is tired enough to sleep contentedly and not get into mischief; obviously these dogs would prefer their exercise to include hunting
- A meat-heavy diet, either homemade or commercial – meat is expensive, so people with less money should opt for a small dog
- An owner with enough money to treat the health problems Coonhounds are prone to (pet health insurance can really help here!)
- Commitment to provide thorough socialization – introducing your Coonhound to lots of people and other animals
- Commitment to establish the right Leader-Follower relationship with your Coonhound, teaching him to listen to you and do what you say
Which sex? What age?
Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?
Puppies vs. Adult Dogs
Should you get a young puppy, an older puppy, or an adult dog?
Where can you buy or adopt a Coonhound?
For obvious reasons, Coonhounds are common in rural (hunting) areas of the United States, but not in cities.
Adopting From Dog Rescue Organizations
Coonhounds (and Coonhound crosses and mixes) are often available from Dog Rescue groups. Coonhounds may be turned over to Rescue when the owner discovers how much exercise they need. These are hunting dogs. If you try to shoe-horn them into a sedentary lifestyle, you can expect an unhappy coonhound with a perfect right to vent his frustrations through baying, rambunctiousness, and destructive chewing.
Adopting From Public Animal Shelters and Humane Societies
Coonhounds can be found here, although unknowledgeable shelter personnel may mislabel any medium to large houndy dog as a foxhound or coonhound, and any small houndy dog as a beagle.
Buying From a Dog Breeder
You can buy a Coonhound from a show breeder, who breeds their dogs to match a detailed standard of appearance for the dog show ring.
Or you can buy a coonhound from a performance breeder, who emphasizes an energetic temperament and strong "prey (chasing) drives" for hunting. Some breeders are a combination of show/performance, though how they prioritize those two goals can vary greatly.
You might also be able to buy a coonhound from people who "just breed pets" or "just had one litter." But should you? Be sure to read the article to learn more about these people.
Here's one difference between a responsible breeder and an irresponsible breeder – BOTH PARENTS of a Coonhound puppy should have:
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal hips
If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. You might choose to accept that risk. But then you need to be willing (and able) to pay a couple thousand bucks for future surgeries and lifelong meds if your Coonhound ends up crippled from hip dysplasia.
Pet Shop Puppies: Buying a Puppy From a Pet Store
In rural areas, a Coonhound might occasionally show up in a pet shop. I have plenty to say about buying a puppy from a pet shop!
Which puppy?
Choosing the Right Coonhound Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Coonhound puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.
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