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Buying or Adopting a Coonhound

By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Behavioral Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books

Coonhound

Interested in a coonhound, perhaps like this Treeing Walker Coonhound? Read each post on this page. Make sure the breed is right for you (and that YOU are right for the breed). Decide on sex and age. Then begin the exciting adventure of finding and evaluating breeders and rescue groups and selecting the right coonhound. Don't be in a hurry!



Don't set your sights on a coonhound until you read my advice in these posts.

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton 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]

Purebred dogs The Truth About Purebred Dogs
Pros and cons... (most people don't know about the cons)

Crossbred dogs The Truth About Crossbred Dogs
Pros and cons... (don't get taken by breeder hype)

Mixed breed dogs The Truth About Mixed Breed Dogs
Pros and cons... (are mixes inferior to purebreds and crosses?)

Is a Coonhound the right breed for you?

Obedience instructor and author Michele Welton 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

puppy

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?

Symbols for male and female Male Dogs vs. Female Dogs
Which one makes a better pet?

Girl hugging a dog 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.

Puppy in a pet shop window 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?

Symbols for male and female Choosing the Right Coonhound Puppy
How to test the temperament and personality of Coonhound puppies and pick the best puppy in a litter.

Michele Welton with BuffyAbout the author: Michele Welton has over 40 years of experience as a Dog Trainer, Dog Breed Consultant, and founder of three Dog Training Centers. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs.

My best-selling books – now available  FREE  on my website


book coverRespect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy is for puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Click here to read for free.
book coverTeach Your Dog 100 English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Click here to read for free.
book cover11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy helps your dog live a longer, healthier life. Get my honest advice about all 11 Things before you bring home your new puppy, because some mistakes with early health care cannot be undone. Click here to read for free.