Canis lupus familiaris
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Featured phototreeing-walker-coonhound.jpgThe Treeing Walker Coonhound is a Kentucky Walker Foxhound descendant — racy tree-hunting raccoon hound from 1850s 'Tennessee Lead' cross. The Treeing Walker Coonhound descends from the Walker Foxhound — a 19th-century Kentucky line developed by John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin from English Foxhound stock — selected over generations for tree-hunting raccoon work.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States (Kentucky / Tennessee)
- Origin period
- 19th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Tricolor (Black, White, Tan), White and Tan, White with Tan saddle and Black markings
- Average lifespan
- 12-13 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2012 · UKC 1945
Origin
The Treeing Walker Coonhound descends from the Walker Foxhound — a 19th-century Kentucky line developed by Bluegrass-region breeders John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin from English Foxhound stock — selected over generations for tree-hunting raccoon work. A foundation event was the 1850s acquisition of 'Tennessee Lead', a stolen black-and-tan coursing dog of unknown provenance, by the Walker family; Lead was crossed back into the Walker line and contributed the breed-defining tree-hunting trait. The breed split from the English Coonhound in the 1940s as a separate registered breed; the United Kennel Club admitted the Treeing Walker in 1945 and the AKC followed in 2012.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2012, the United Kennel Club followed in 1945.
Standard
The AKC and UKC standards describe a tall, racy hound — taller and more lithe than the heavier coonhound breeds — with a clean, smart, athletic outline and a smooth, free, far-reaching gait. The short, hard, glossy coat lies close to the body. Recognized colours are tricolour (black-white-tan), white-and-tan, and white with tan saddle and black markings. Males stand 56-69 cm at the withers, females 51-64 cm.
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Treeing Walker Coonhound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Treeing Walker 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 Kentucky Walker Foxhound descendant — racy tree-hunting raccoon hound from 1850s 'Tennessee Lead' cross.
When was the Treeing Walker Coonhound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2012; the United Kennel Club followed in 1945.
What is the average lifespan of a Treeing Walker Coonhound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Treeing Walker Coonhound's average lifespan in the 12-13 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
