American English Coonhound
Official Cynology Profile & Standard Data.
History & Overview
Origin and historical development
The American Kennel Club sums this breed up in one line: American by birth, English by ancestry. It is one of six AKC coonhound breeds that frontiersmen put together to trail and tree the raccoon, which gave them food, fat and fur at once.
The English side comes from Foxhounds brought to America in the early 1800s. Foxhunting had been a favourite pastime in the south of Great Britain, and the hounds that came with it were adapted to a harder country and a different quarry.
The result is a hound built for stamina and voice rather than speed alone. The AKC standard gives 24 to 26 inches for males and 23 to 25 inches for females.
Breed Standard
How the breed is described and measured
The breed is registered by the American Kennel Club.
Size, standard by standard
- American Kennel Club — height 61-66 cm (males), 58.4-63.5 cm (females)
Full standards: American Kennel Club.
Country of origin: United States of America
Breed Trivia
Unique facts and fascinating details
- It is one of six coonhound breeds recognised by the AKC.
- Its ancestors were English Foxhounds imported in the early 1800s.
- The raccoon it was bred to hunt supplied food, fat and fur.
- It hunts at night, which is why its voice matters as much as its nose.
- The AKC places it in the Hound Group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common inquiries about the breed
What does “treeing” mean?
The hound follows a scent trail until the quarry climbs a tree to escape, then stays below and barks until the hunter arrives.
Is it the same as the English Foxhound?
No. The Foxhound is among its ancestors, but the American English Coonhound is a separate breed developed in North America for different quarry.
How tall is it?
The AKC standard gives 24 to 26 inches for males and 23 to 25 inches for females.
Does the FCI recognise it?
No. It is registered by the American Kennel Club in the Hound Group.
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