

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a laid-back yet highly focused scent hound—bred to track nocturnal trails through rugged terrain and tree its prey with a loud, baying bark.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Black and Tan Coonhound fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
10–12 yrs
Shoulder height
58–69 cm
Weight
29–50 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Black and Tan Coonhound, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Black and Tan Coonhound — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
Indoors, the Black and Tan Coonhound is often a deeply relaxed couch potato who naps for hours—but outdoors, a single scent flips the switch. You aren't getting a dog that worships your every step, but rather a primal tracker who sees the world through his nose and tells you all about it at full volume.
The Black and Tan Coonhound is an impressive presence. His slim, muscular body and long head with expressive eyes give him an elegant yet powerful appearance. The ears are long and hanging, the fur is short, dense and shiny. The breed is classified in FCI Group 6, Section 1.1 as "running dogs". The dominant coat color, as the name suggests, is black, but the tan markings above the eyes, on the sides of the mouth, on the chest, on the legs and below the tail are also characteristic. There is no distinction between performance and show lines in this breed.
Despite its origins and use as a hunting dog, the Black and Tan Coonhound is an extremely friendly and good-natured dog that makes an excellent family dog. He is gentle, loving and has a calm, even temperament. However, that doesn't mean he doesn't have the urge to move. Quite the opposite: Black and Tan Coonhounds are extremely hardy dogs that need a lot of exercise and activity. His focus on people is one of his most striking characteristics. The Black and Tan Coonhound loves being part of the family and enjoys spending time with his people, whether playing, going for a walk or just lying together. He is very playful and always enjoys a good game of "fetch" or "hide." Due to its hunting history, the Black and Tan Coonhound has a strong hunting instinct and can therefore sometimes be a challenge when it comes to stopping it from hunting. His keen sense of smell and independence can lead him to follow a scent if given the chance. Therefore, it is important that you raise and train him well to prevent him from running away or getting into trouble. Although they are generally good at staying alone, they should not be left alone for long periods of time or they may tend to become bored and develop unwanted behaviors. As former night dogs, Black and Tan Coonhounds are alert and attentive, making them good watchdogs. While they won't be aggressive towards strangers, they will make sure you know when someone is in your territory. Overall, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a wonderful companion for active people or families who spend a lot of time outdoors and are looking for a hardy, adaptable dog ready to take on any challenge. With his friendly and loving nature, he makes a great family dog, but also meets the needs and challenges of a hunting dog breed.
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Black and Tan Coonhound is one of the few dog breeds developed entirely in the USA?
B&Ts may be too much dog for any owner's lifestyle. As large, athletic hunters who work at night, Black and Tan Coonhounds are friendly, easy-going dogs who love company. They are cozy by the fireplace, but stubborn when they are on the trail of the cunning raccoon. This hunting dog is a true American original.
As dogs that require a lot of exercise, Black and Tan Coonhounds are less suited to life in a city apartment unless you are able to provide them with enough daily exercise and activity. They do better in a house with a garden, where they have the opportunity to move freely and use their sense of smell. Black and Tan Coonhounds tend to get along well with children and are loving and patient playmates. However, their size and temperament can be overwhelming for very young children, so careful supervision is advisable. They can also get along with other pets, including cats, if they are introduced to them from an early age.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Usually gets on fine with other dogs.
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Black and Tan Coonhounds are intelligent dogs that tend to be independent and sometimes stubborn. This makes training them challenging, but with patience, consistency and positive reinforcement they can be trained well. It is important to start training early and show a firm but loving hand. Because of their hunting history, Black and Tan Coonhounds benefit from activities that utilize their sense of smell, such as tracking or mantrailing. These dogs require a lot of activity and mental stimulation to be happy and are at risk of becoming "ball junkies" if they are not properly utilized. It is also important to develop these dogs' frustration tolerance and impulse control, as they tend to follow their instincts and pursue a scent when they sense one. Targeted training in these areas can help them become better able to control their impulses and live peacefully in a human environment.
In terms of nutrition, Black and Tan Coonhounds require a balanced diet with high-quality proteins, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Because they can be prone to obesity, it is important to monitor their food intake and ensure they get regular exercise. When it comes to grooming, Black and Tan Coonhounds are quite easy to care for. Their short, dense coat only requires brushing once a week to remove dead hair and keep their skin healthy. They have an undercoat that protects them from extreme weather conditions, which means they can cope well with the German climate. It should be noted that they can shed quite a lot, especially during shedding seasons.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Solid
Health grade
In the Black and Tan Coonhound, hip dysplasia (HD), ectropion / entropion, and primary hypothyroidism are among the relevant health risks. A responsible breeder specifically screens their breeding animals for these conditions to avoid orthopedic, ophthalmologic, and hormonal issues. Before purchasing a puppy, ask to see the official proof of HD status with a limit of HD A–B. Also, ensure there are veterinary certificates showing that the breeding stock is free from ectropion / entropion and clear with regard to primary hypothyroidism.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
You should ensure joint-friendly growth, enforce strict rest periods after meals, and regularly check and clean his long, pendulous ears.
Reputable breeders screen the parents' hips, elbows, eyes, thyroid, and hearts to reduce avoidable risks in the bloodline.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
We sort tests into three tiers — from the core standard to a fully exemplary program.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Black and Tan Coonhound costs around ~€200 per month (€110 – €390, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,000 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (11 years) it comes to about ~€29,240.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€200 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€200
In the first year
~€5,000
Across the dog's life
~€29,240
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,000 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.

Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe Black and Tan Coonhound is an American breed that was bred to hunt raccoons (Coon is the colloquial short form for raccoon). The breed's roots date back to the 18th century, when the first European settlers began breeding dogs adapted to the specific requirements of the North American wilderness. The Black and Tan Coonhound was created from a mixture of different dog breeds, including the Bloodhound and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. The aim of breeding was to create a dog that had a strong tracking nose, endurance and the ability to hunt at night. The American Kennel Club (AKC) first recognized the breed in 1945, and although the Black and Tan Coonhound is rarely found outside the United States, it has an established place in society and culture there.
The Black and Tan Coonhound was bred to hunt raccoons and other game in rough terrain.
USA
1700
At home, many owners find the Black and Tan Coonhound a very gentle, affectionate and cuddly companion. Several describe it as a real couch potato indoors: once its basic needs are met, it will sleep deeply for hours, ideally pressed up against someone in the family. With children and other dogs, the breed is usually remarkably patient, friendly and easygoing in practice.
Reports also point to two everyday challenges. These dogs are often very loud, with a wide range of deep howls and barks (baying) that they are happy to use to make themselves heard. Experienced owners therefore consider them only partly suited to dense neighborhoods or apartments with thin walls. Owners also warn again and again about their curiosity and huge appetite: thanks to their size, they can clear a kitchen counter with ease if left unsupervised.
Sources:paw-champ.comreddit.com
On training and walks, owners all make the same observation: as soon as a Coonhound catches an interesting scent outside, its ears more or less switch off. Its strong prey drive and real passion for trailing make reliable off-leash time in areas with lots of wildlife close to impossible for many owners. Young or under-exercised dogs also tend to pull hard on the leash, so long lines and thinking ahead are part of daily life.
Owners describe the breed as highly intelligent but very independent. There is little of the typical "will to please"; instead, these dogs like to weigh up a command and ask what's in it for them. Pressure or harshness quickly leads these sensitive dogs to shut down completely. With patience, humor and, above all, food rewards, though, they are good to work with, since they love to eat. They are happiest and most cooperative when their owners give that nose a job through scent work such as tracking or mantrailing.
Sources:paw-champ.comreddit.com
Owners and breed sources describe the Black and Tan Coonhound as a hardy, weatherproof hunting breed without exaggerated features. With the right care and enough exercise, these dogs fairly reliably reach their typical life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years in practice.
The health and grooming issue owners mention most often is the long, hanging ears. They are prone to trapping moisture and getting inflamed, so checking and cleaning them regularly is a must. As with many dogs this size, owners also keep an eye on the joints (especially the hips) and are careful not to push young dogs too early with heavy jumping or strenuous exercise. The deep chest also calls for the usual caution about bloat after larger meals.
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Black and Tan Coonhound is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Black and Tan Coonhound is 10-12 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Black and Tan Coonhound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Black and Tan Coonhound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Black and Tan Coonhound comes in these colors: Black and tan.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Black and Tan Coonhound.