8. Coonhound
The Female Black and Tan Coonhound Trails Rather Than Tracks Its Quarry on The Scent Trail
The various Coonhound breeds — Black and Tan, Bluetick, English, Plott, Redbone, and Treeing Walker — all have highly effective noses but different styles of scenting. Some have “hot” noses, meaning they work best on a fresh trail, while others are said to be “cold-nosed,” able to follow an old, or “cold,” trail with little trouble.
The black and tan coonhound works by moonlight, trailing his quarry and bawling to help hunters locate the dog in the darkness. A cold-nosed hound, they are able to detect cold, convoluted trails. Trailing dogs differ from tracking dogs in that the tracker follows the exact footsteps of its prey. The trailing dog sweeps across a 10 to 15 foot wide path, in a zigzag pattern.
The black and tan variety is a bit more biddable and easier to train that the bluetick. These big athletic dogs make fine house dogs that require regular exercise.
The Female Black and Tan Coonhound Trails Rather Than Tracks Its Quarry on The Scent Trail
The bluetick coonhound was developed from the English coonhound, and is used to trail and tree raccoons. A cold nosed trailing dog, the Bluetick works well on old, cold trails, which makes him the superior tracker of the coonhounds. Blueticks are frequent toungers when trailing, and they bay a “bawling” bark as they track. As they get closer to their quarry the bay becomes a more rhythmic chop.
Blueticks are good house dogs as well as eager hunters, but lack a strong desire to please. This makes them more difficult to train than many of the breeds on this list. Persistence, patience and treats are your best training aids with this breed.
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