Canis lupus familiaris
Black and Tan Coonhound
Featured photoblack-and-tan-coonhound.jpgThe Black and Tan Coonhound is a oldest American tree-hunting coonhound from Bloodhound + Talbot Hound 18th-century crosses. The Black and Tan Coonhound is the oldest of the six Coonhound breeds and was developed in the southern Appalachian colonies (Virginia and Tennessee) by crossing the Bloodhound with the now-extinct Talbot Hound (a black-and-tan medieval English scent hound) to produce a tree-hunting hound capable of trailing raccoon, opossum, deer, bear, and mountain lion through the night.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States (Virginia / Tennessee)
- Origin period
- Early 18th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Black and Tan — coal black with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, and below the tail
- Average lifespan
- 10-12 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2010 · FCI 2012 · UKC 1900 · Group 6 — Scent Hounds and Related Breeds (Section 1.1: Large-sized Hounds)
Origin
The Black and Tan Coonhound is the oldest of the six American Coonhound breeds and was developed in the southern Appalachian colonies — particularly in Virginia and Tennessee — beginning in the early 18th century. Foundation crosses involved the Bloodhound (which contributed the long ears, deep voice, and unmatched scenting ability) and the now-extinct Talbot Hound (a black-and-tan medieval English scent hound brought to the colonies by early settlers). Subsequent crosses with the Foxhound contributed speed. The objective was a tree-hunting hound — a hound that would trail night-active game (raccoon, opossum, deer, bear, mountain lion), drive it up a tree, and bay (continuously voice) at the base until the hunter arrived. The United Kennel Club registered the breed in 1900 and the AKC followed in 2010.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2010, the United Kennel Club followed in 1900, and the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 300) in 2012. The FCI assigns the breed to Group 6 — Scent Hounds and Related Breeds (Section 1.1: Large-sized Hounds).
Standard
The AKC and FCI standards describe a powerful, well-muscled scent hound of extreme nose-down working style, deeper-bodied than a Foxhound but lighter than a Bloodhound. The short, dense, glossy coat is the hallmark coal-black with rich tan markings: tan above each eye (the 'pumpkin seed' marking), on the muzzle, throat, chest, legs, and beneath the tail. Males stand 63-69 cm at the withers, females 58-63 cm.
Sources & further reading (3)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Black and Tan Coonhound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Black and Tan Coonhound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a oldest American tree-hunting coonhound from Bloodhound + Talbot Hound 18th-century crosses.
When was the Black and Tan Coonhound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2010; the United Kennel Club followed in 1900; the Federation Cynologique Internationale published the international standard (FCI No. 300) in 2012.
What is the average lifespan of a Black and Tan Coonhound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Black and Tan Coonhound's average lifespan in the 10-12 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
