Black & Tan Coonhound | Breeds A to Z

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a trail and tree hound – that is, a scent hound developed to hunt racoon (hence the derivative in the breed’s name). He is one of several Coonhound varieties and is distinguished by his black and tan markings. The origin of the breed trace back to the early colonial dogs and probably contain the blood of Foxhounds taken from England to North America in the 17th Century. In fact, until relatively recent times the Coonhounds were regarded as a variety of Foxhound. However, with the infusion of other breeds and types such as the Pointer, Setter, Bloodhound and French Hunting Hounds several varieties of Coonhound developed, often distinguished by colour, such as the Blue Tick Coonhound, the Redbone, the Treeing walker and the Plott. The Black and Tan was the first to be split from the American Foxhound.

The racoon was a source of meat and fur for the early colonist and hence the dogs that could hunt them became much valued. The Coonhound was developed to track the racoon by scent and the scenting prowess of the Coonhound are immense and he gives voice when on the trail, is capable of going through water. Whilst the Black and Tan Coonhound does have the courage to kill, he often ends up “treeing” the racoon - that is holding the racoon at bay when it takes refuge up a tree.

The stamina, strength and courage of the Coonhound also made him useful for hunting bigger prey such as wild boar, bears, deer and mountain lion.

Read the breed standard

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The Hound breed group

Breeds originally used for hunting either by scent or by sight. The scent hounds include the Beagle and Bloodhound and the sight hounds such breeds as the Whippet and Greyhound. Many of them enjoy a significant amount of exercise and can be described as dignified, aloof but trustworthy companions.

Colour Watch

Category 0: Breeds with no NBS colour registration options.

Read more about Colour Watch.

Breed Standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black & Tan

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

Check inbreeding calculators

Currently there are no additional health screening schemes or DNA tests for this breed. You may want to speak to your breeder, vet or local breed club about any health issues in the breed.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our health test results finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Health (The Kennel Club)

Breed watch

Category 1

Currently no points of concern specific to this breed have been identified for special attention by judges, other than those covered routinely by The Kennel Club breed standard.