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Discover Everything About Treeing Walker Coonhound
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
Looking for a Treeing Walker Coonhound?
At a glance
Treeing Walker Coonhound overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
S
A
B
C
D
E
Very healthyHigher risk
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is considered a robust working breed, but it is not without certain health risks. You should pay particular attention to hip dysplasia (HD) before purchasing, as there are no strict mandatory health tests for this condition. Additionally, the breed is occasionally prone to Coonhound Paralysis and carries a risk of life-threatening gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
Lifespan
12–13 yrs
Height
51–69 cm
Weight
20–34 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, dense undercoat
- Origin: USA
Typical coat colors
- Tri-color - black
- white
- brown
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Treeing Walker 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 →Is the Treeing Walker Coonhound right for you?
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a tireless, lightning-fast scent hound—bred to track raccoons over endless distances, tree them, and bay loudly until the hunter arrives.
Perfect for you if:
- You are looking for an indefatigable, athletic companion for canicross, jogging, or very long hikes in nature.
- You are prepared to provide intensive daily scent work like mantrailing to truly satisfy his massive genetic potential.
- You live in a rural area and have an absolutely escape-proof garden, as this dog will use any weakness in a fence for a solo excursion.
- You appreciate a four-legged friend who is gentle, friendly, and extremely cuddly at home once he has had his physical exercise outdoors.
Less ideal if:
- You live in a thin-walled apartment or a densely populated neighborhood—his piercing baying on the trail is part of his hardware and drowns out everything else.
- You expect him to remain reliably recallable when on a fresh scent—he was bred to work completely independently and at a distance from humans at exactly those moments.
- You own cats or other small pets that his deeply rooted hunting instinct might immediately perceive as prey.
The real vibes check
A Treeing Walker Coonhound is an athlete with a built-in autopilot: as soon as his sensitive nose hits the ground, his ears completely tune out. You aren't getting a dog that hangs on your every word outdoors, but a highly specialized professional hunter on a mission. If you can accept this independence, he will reward you indoors by being the most relaxed and gentle couch potato you can imagine.
Breed Profile
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an impressive presence. With its elegant, elongated body, distinctive head and long, drooping ears, it is unmistakable. His eyes are expressive and exude an intelligent and attentive personality. Its coat is short and smooth, with a thick undercoat that protects it from bad weather. It belongs to FCI Group 6 of scent hounds, bloodhounds and related breeds. There is no distinction between show and performance lines, although many Treeing Walker Coonhounds are excellent competition dogs in their home country of the USA.
| Height | 51 - 64 cm (Female), 56 - 69 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 20 - 32 kg (Female), 23 - 34 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 13 years |
| Character | intelligent, active, sociable |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense undercoat |
| Coat Color | Tri-color - black, white and brown |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The roots of the Treeing Walker Coonhound lie in the USA, more specifically in Kentucky, where Thomas Walker and George Washington Maupin began breeding a fast, efficient Coonhound in the 19th century. They were based on English Foxhounds, which they crossed with other hound breeds to develop a dog with a strong hunting instinct and an excellent nose. The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred specifically for raccoon hunting. Its name "Treeing" comes from chasing raccoons up trees (“to tree”) and then barking to alert the hunter. The breed has been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) since 2012. Despite its popularity in the United States, the breed is still relatively unknown in Europe.
Original Use
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to hunt raccoons and other tree game species.
Origin
USA
Date
1800
Character & Temperament
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an extremely active and intelligent dog that requires plenty of activity and mental stimulation. Its origins as a hunting dog are strongly influenced by its temperament. He loves to run, play and explore his surroundings. His high energy and urge to move make him an ideal companion for active people who enjoy being out in nature. The breed is known for its ability to learn and adapt, making it a good choice for various dog sports such as agility, obedience or tracking. They are very people-oriented and get along well with other dogs, so they are also well suited to life in a family. However, they should not be left alone for too long, otherwise they can become restless and unhappy. When it comes to their hunting instinct, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are quite strong. They are known for following their nose wherever it leads. This instinct can lead them to chase small animals like cats or rabbits, so a secure yard or leash is essential when they are outside. Although they are not typically aggressive, they can be territorial and will defend their home and family against intruders. However, they are not typical guard dogs and only bark when they sense a threat or have chased a raccoon up a tree. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a fun-loving and friendly dog that fits well into an active family. With his distinctive nose, high energy and love of play, he is a dog that brings a lot of joy. If you are willing to meet his need for exercise and mental stimulation and give him the time and attention he needs, the Treeing Walker Coonhound will make a loyal and loving companion.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness A natural watchdog with real protective instinct. | High |
| 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!
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was originally bred to hunt raccoons up trees - hence its name!
What Awaits You
A smart, brave and sensible hunter, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a true American favorite nicknamed "The People's Choice." Don't let the name fool you - walkers are runners and can cover a long distance in a short amount of time.
Housing & Care
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is not necessarily suitable as a city dog due to its size and high energy requirements, but it can live in urban environments as long as it receives enough exercise and mental stimulation. Small children usually do not pose a problem as these dogs generally get along well with children. However, there should always be a guardian present as the dog's high energy and size can be overwhelming for very young children. Because this breed has a strong prey instinct, they may not always get along well with smaller pets, including cats. However, they can get along well with other dogs and larger pets, especially if they are used to them from an early age.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners. | Difficult in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
When training a Treeing Walker Coonhound, it is important to use positive reinforcement methods as they can be sensitive to harsh or punitive methods. They are intelligent dogs and learn quickly when training is fun and rewarding. Treeing Walker Coonhounds require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. They are excellent for various dog sports including agility, tracking and rally obedience. However, it is important to note that these dogs can easily become ball junkies due to their high energy levels, so access to balls and similar toys should be controlled. One of the most important aspects of training a Treeing Walker Coonhound is training frustration tolerance and impulse control. Because of their strong hunting instinct, they are easily distracted by smells and movements and must learn to control their impulses.
Nutrition & Care
The Treeing Walker Coonhound's diet should be high quality and balanced. It is important that it contains all the necessary nutrients to cover its high activity and energy needs. It can be helpful to choose a food specifically designed for active dogs. Grooming the Treeing Walker Coonhound is generally straightforward. His short coat only needs regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep his skin healthy. This breed has an undercoat and can therefore cope with the German climate quite well, although it is not necessarily suitable for extremely cold temperatures. They shed moderately, so regular brushing is helpful to remove loose hair and minimize shedding.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
B
Solid
Health grade
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is considered a robust working breed, but it is not without certain health risks. You should pay particular attention to hip dysplasia (HD) before purchasing, as there are no strict mandatory health tests for this condition. Additionally, the breed is occasionally prone to Coonhound Paralysis and carries a risk of life-threatening gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should focus on joint-friendly exercise, keep his long, floppy ears clean and dry, and have his eyes and heart checked during routine veterinary visits.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts tested and pay attention to healthy ear structure to reduce risks within the bloodline.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
Experiences with the Treeing Walker Coonhound
Markus S., Halter aus Hessen (Rüde, seit 2016)
Mein Jack ist ein absoluter Traum, aber man muss wissen, worauf man sich einlässt. Das Beste an ihm ist seine unfassbar entspannte Art im Haus: Er ist extrem faul und verschläft locker 90 Prozent des Tages, am liebsten eingekuschelt in seinem Bettchen. Er bellt auch so gut wie nie bei Alltagsgeräuschen oder wenn es an der Tür klingelt, was ihn zu einem sehr angenehmen Mitbewohner macht. Autofahrten und Schwimmen liebt er über alles.
Allerdings darf man den Jagdtrieb nicht unterschätzen. Jack ist extrem futtermotiviert, was das Training zwar erleichtert, aber draußen ist seine Nase praktisch permanent am Boden. Wir hatten am Anfang auch das Problem, dass er über unseren 1,80 Meter hohen Zaun gesprungen und stiften gegangen ist. Ein absolut ausbruchssicherer Garten ist bei dieser Rasse also wirklich Pflicht.
Sybille M., Halterin aus Bayern (Hündin, seit 2024)
Wir haben unsere Hündin über einen DNA-Test als Treeing Walker Coonhound identifiziert, nachdem wir sie aus dem Tierschutz adoptiert haben. Die Welpen- und Junghundezeit war ehrlich gesagt der pure Wahnsinn und hat mich oft an meine Grenzen und sogar zum Weinen gebracht. Sie hatte eine Energie, die ich von meinen vorherigen Hunden überhaupt nicht kannte. Draußen hat sie buchstäblich alles ins Maul genommen – von Steinen über Eicheln bis hin zu Müll.
Was uns gerettet hat, war die gezielte Nasenarbeit. Wir gehen jetzt früh morgens und spät abends große Runden, auf denen sie intensiv schnüffeln darf, und nutzen Schnüffelmatten sowie gefrorene Schleckspielzeuge im Haus. Erst durch diese geistige Auslastung ist sie ausgeglichener geworden. Man braucht für diese Rasse unendlich viel Geduld und Humor, aber mittlerweile entwickelt sie sich zu einer tollen Begleiterin.
Jessica D., Halterin aus Berlin (Hündin, seit 2021)
Wir wohnen in einer Wohnung und ich muss ganz offen sagen: Ein Coonhound in der Stadt ist eine echte Herausforderung. Wenn meine Hündin anschlägt, klingt das laut unseren Nachbarn wie ein 'schreiender, erwachsener Mann'. Das Heulen und die typische, extrem laute 'Coonhound-Glocke' liegen ihnen einfach im Blut, besonders wenn sie draußen Sirenen hören oder ein Eichhörnchen sichten. Man darf diese Lautstärke keinesfalls unterschätzen.
Auf der anderen Seite ist sie im Haus unglaublich verschmust, anhänglich und versteht sich fantastisch mit anderen Hunden. Sie braucht ihre täglichen, ausgiebigen Spaziergänge und klare Regeln statt sturer Unterordnungs-Kommandos. Wer einen absolut leisen, unauffälligen Hund sucht, ist hier falsch, aber für aktive Menschen mit Humor und starken Nerven sind sie unglaublich treue Seelen.
sinngemäß aus echten Halterberichten
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Frequently asked questions about the Treeing Walker Coonhound
Is a Treeing Walker Coonhound the right dog for me?
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Treeing Walker Coonhound live?
The average life expectancy of a Treeing Walker Coonhound is 12-13 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Treeing Walker Coonhound need?
Treeing Walker Coonhound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Treeing Walker Coonhound good for families with children?
The Treeing Walker Coonhound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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