

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.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Treeing Walker 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
12–13 yrs
Shoulder height
51–69 cm
Weight
23–32 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
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 →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Treeing Walker Coonhound — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
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.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an impressive presence. With its elegant, elongated body, distinctive head and long, drooping ears, it is unmistakable. Its 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 is not recognized by the FCI, but is classified as a hound by organizations such as the AKC and the UKC. 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.
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.
| 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!
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.
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.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
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.
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.
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 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 Treeing Walker Coonhound, orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as severe risks for degenerative myelopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), are the main focus. A health-oriented breeder specifically tests parent animals for these risks prior to breeding and only mates carriers of genetic mutations with clear partners. Before purchasing, have official X-ray results showing HD A–B and ED 0 presented to you. Also ask for clear results for dilated cardiomyopathy as well as genetic tests for degenerative myelopathy and hereditary cataracts.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
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.
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts tested and pay attention to healthy ear structure to reduce risks within 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.
Tier 1 is the recommended health standard for this breed. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
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 Treeing Walker Coonhound costs around ~€180 per month (€100 – €350, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,040 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (12.5 years) it comes to about ~€30,430.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€180 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€5,040
Across the dog's life
~€30,430
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
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Illustrative imageThe 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.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to hunt raccoons and other tree game species.
USA
1800
Many owners point to the striking contrast between how these dogs behave indoors and how they act outside. At home, Treeing Walker Coonhounds are regularly described as even-tempered, cuddly and surprisingly calm housemates. Owners often joke that they're "couch potatoes" that sleep for hours after a long outing and like to stay in close physical contact with their people. With children and other dogs, they're usually very patient, tolerant and friendly day to day.
Outside, though, the picture flips completely. Once the dog is on the move, you see its huge energy and stamina, and it needs an outlet for both every day. When the urge to move and explore is neglected, owners report destructive behavior indoors or constant restlessness. People also regularly mention the deep, far-carrying voice: coonhounds are talkative and tend to announce sounds or scents at full volume, which can quickly cause trouble with neighbors in densely populated areas or apartment buildings.
In owners' accounts of training, the strong hunting drive is named, without exception, as the biggest challenge. Owners describe the same moment again and again: the dog picks up a scent, tunes out completely, ignores everything around it and follows its nose no matter what. With many of these dogs, reliable off-leash time in woods or fields is barely possible, or only after very intensive training, so a long line often becomes a permanent companion. Loose-leash walking also takes a lot of patience from the start, because these hounds tend to throw their full strength into chasing smells.
At the same time, experienced owners stress how intelligent the breed is and how easily it can be bribed. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are usually very food-motivated, which makes positive-reinforcement training much easier. Harshness or pressure, on the other hand, quickly makes these sensitive scent hounds shut down and dig in their heels. To keep them mentally satisfied and give their hunting instinct a structured outlet, many owners have had success with scent work such as mantrailing, drag trails or search games.
Physically, owners generally see the Treeing Walker Coonhound as a very hardy, robust, weatherproof working breed. The short, smooth coat is very easy to care for and only needs an occasional brushing, even if the fine hairs do cling to everything at home. In dogs used mainly for sports or long hikes, owners praise their impressive stamina and how quickly they recover.
Even so, people who know the breed point to typical weak spots that need regular attention. Above all, the long, floppy ears are prone to moisture, dirt and recurring ear infections, so a weekly check should be part of the routine. Owners and veterinary reports also note a risk of joint problems such as hip dysplasia, which is why keeping the dog lean and building it up gently as a youngster are singled out as especially important. Because these dogs love to eat, they quickly put on weight if they don't get enough exercise.
Sources:reddit.compaw-champ.compeqaboo.comtackenberg.dekokogenetics.com
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
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.
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.
Treeing Walker Coonhound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound comes in these colors: Tricolor, Bicolor, Black and white, Red and white.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Treeing Walker Coonhound.